How to Install an Air Conditioner Drain

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Things You'll Need

  • Garden hose

  • Razor blade

  • Band clamp

  • Flathead screwdriver

When a professional HVAC installer installs an air conditioning unit, he must install a drip line or a drain before the installation meets building codes. You should take the same steps to drain water from your window air conditioner. Every window air conditioner has a drain spout so you can install a drain hose. If you do not install the drain hose, the water usually flows out of the air conditioner and into the windowsill or it flows to the ground next to your foundation. A quick hose install will prevent damage from your window air conditioner.

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Step 1

Inspect the drain spout on your air conditioner to determine what type it has. Most spouts are barbed plastic that require you to slip on the hose and secure it with a band clamp. Some have a hose coupler that allows you to thread the hose onto the spout.

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Step 2

Cut the coupler off the end of a garden hose with a razor blade if your window air conditioner has a barbed spout. Slide the band clamp onto the hose and then slide the hose onto the barbed spout. Position the band clamp over the spout and tighten it with a flathead screwdriver. If it has a coupler, skip this step and move to the next step.

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Step 3

Thread the coupler on the hose onto the coupler on the air conditioner. Make sure you tighten the couplers as tight as you can by hand to avoid leaks.

Step 4

Unroll the hose and position the other end away from the house. This will ensure the water that drains out does not drain into your foundation or sill.

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