Cleaning Your Lennox Ac: Drain Pan Maintenance Guide

Lennox offers a range of drain pans for air conditioning units, which collect condensation formed when warm air passes over cold evaporator coils. To prevent water damage, leaks, and bacterial and algae buildup, it is important to regularly clean your AC drain pan. This can be done by removing the pan, draining the water, washing it with soap and water, and then scrubbing it with baking soda and vinegar. Additionally, you can use vinegar to clean the AC drain line, helping to prevent clogs and kill bacteria.

How to Clean Lennox AC Drain Pan

Locate the drain pan

To locate the drain pan of your Lennox AC unit, you must first identify what type of AC unit you have. The location of the drain pan varies depending on the type of AC system.

Central Air Conditioning Systems

For central AC systems, the drain pan is typically found inside the indoor air handler, right under the evaporator coils. You may need to remove an access panel to reach it, so exercise caution to avoid damaging any electrical components.

Window Air Conditioners

Window AC units usually have their drain pans visible from the back of the unit. However, space constraints can make inspection and access challenging.

Portable Air Conditioners

For portable AC units, the drain pan is generally designed to be manually emptied. Some portable units have hose pipes plumbed at different locations to assist with draining.

Lennox AC Drain Pan Location

Lennox offers a range of AC units, including central air conditioning systems and window air conditioners. Therefore, the location of the drain pan in a Lennox AC unit will depend on the specific model and type of system you have.

To summarise, the drain pan in an AC unit is typically located underneath the evaporator coils, on the same side as the air intake. There are usually two drain pans: a fixed drain pan under the coils and an overflow or secondary drain pan below it.

Remove the drain pan

To remove the drain pan from your Lennox AC unit, you'll need to locate the indoor AC unit, which is usually found on the same side as the air intake. Once you've found the unit, follow these steps:

Turn off the power to the air conditioner

This is an important safety precaution before carrying out any work on the unit.

Remove the access panel

Locate the access panel on the indoor AC unit and remove it to access the overflow pan.

Inspect the overflow pan

Use a flashlight to carefully inspect the overflow pan and the drain pan for any signs of damage or debris. Look out for cracks, dents, holes, rust, and mould or algae build-up.

Prepare the necessary tools

Before removing the drain pan, gather the tools you'll need, including a flashlight, a wet/dry vacuum with a hose attachment, a jug of water, and a towel or rag.

Use the flashlight to locate the drain pan, which is fixed under the evaporator coils. Carefully detach the drain pan from the unit, being mindful of any water or residue that may be present. Place the drain pan in a safe location where you can clean it thoroughly.

Clean the drain pan

Use the rag or vacuum to remove any standing water or debris from the drain pan. If there is significant build-up, you may need to soak or scrub the pan to fully clean it.

Reinstall the drain pan

Once the drain pan is clean and dry, carefully reinstall it in the AC unit, ensuring it is securely attached.

Test the AC unit

After reinstalling the drain pan, turn on the power to the air conditioner and test the unit to ensure it is functioning properly.

Drain the water

Before removing the drain pan, it is important to drain the water from the condensate drain pan. This can be done using a wet and dry vacuum cleaner or towels. If you opt for the latter, place the towels under the drain pan to absorb the water.

Alternatively, you can drain the water after removing the drain pan by tipping it into a sink. This is a good opportunity to rinse the pan with tap water to remove any loosened grime, flush out bacteria, and wash away mould.

If your AC unit has an overflow float switch, you will need to turn off the air conditioner before draining the water to prevent the switch from activating and shutting off the unit.

Once the water has been drained, you can proceed to remove the drain pan for cleaning.

If you are unable to drain the water from the pan, this could be a sign of a clogged drainpipe. In this case, it is important to address the clog before attempting to remove the pan. You can do this by following the steps outlined in the section on unclogging the drainpipe.

Wash with soap and water

To clean a Lennox AC drain pan, you'll first need to remove it. Make sure the air conditioner is shut off to prevent water from leaking out of the drain lines while you work. If your AC drain pan is overflowing, it's a good idea to drain the water before removing the pan. You can do this with a wet and dry vacuum cleaner or by soaking up the water with towels.

Once the pan is removed, it's time to wash it with soap and water. Use regular detergent or dish soap and create a warm, soapy mixture in your sink. Submerge the drain pan in this solution and use a scrub brush or scouring pad to clean it. Be careful when cleaning a plastic air conditioner drain pan, as these can scratch easily. Instead, use a soft sponge or brush to remove the grime from plastic pans.

If your drain pan is made of metal, you may find that, in addition to grime, there are rust spots. To remove these, as well as any deep-seated stains and smells, you can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Spray or squeeze lemon juice onto the pan, then sprinkle baking soda over the top. Let the ingredients react and bubble, then leave them to sit on the pan for at least 10 minutes. Use a scrubbing tool to work the mixture into the drain pan, focusing on stained areas. The baking soda will help lift and remove stains without scratching the surface.

Rinse the pan and leave it to dry before reassembling the AC unit.

Rinse and dry

Rinse the drain pan with plain tap water. This will help to remove any loosened grime, flush out bacteria, and wash away mould. Rinsing the pan with water may also help to lessen any unpleasant odours.

If you are cleaning the condensate drain line, use a bottle brush to scrub out any grime, then wipe the condensate drain line clean.

After rinsing, let the drain pan dry completely. Before reassembling the components, ensure that everything is dry.

If you are cleaning your AC drain pan, it is important to also clean your AC drain line to prevent clogs from forming. To do this, simply place distilled vinegar in a spray bottle and use this to spray the inside of the air conditioner drain line. If your drain line is clogged, remove the clog, drain the water, and then deodorise the condensate drain line with vinegar.

Frequently asked questions