White Slime, Snot, Mucus, whatever you call the stuff clogging in your HVAC's condensate drain pan and drain lines... it's probably ZOOGLEA!

Zooglea is a bacteria that causes clogs which can lead to A/C shut downs, overflows, and eventually ceiling and wall damage. While air handlers have had coils made out of copper for decades, the industry recently chose to switch to aluminum coils in order to save on manufacturing cost.

This has led to an influx of zooglea growth since aluminum does not contain the same antimicrobial properties as copper. The importance of zooglea education is critical now more than ever!

What Causes Zooglea To Grow?

A large number of factors can contribute to zooglea growth. In fact, there are 5 different strands of zooglea that contain varying levels of aggression. The three main contributors include:

1. Temperature - Not only is your air handler a cool dark environment (which bacteria strives in), but based on how hot it is outside determines how much you may be running your A/C and can create more condensation for bacteria to grow. On the other end of things, when it is cold outside and the A/C is off, zooglea can stay in the lines and solidify throughout the cold season creating a near impossible clog to clear.

2. Humidity - Based on the humidity levels in the area, the air handler may be removing a lot of moisture. Depending on how much water is being produced can mean more room for zooglea to grow.

3. Indoor Air Quality - Though there is a filter on the air handler to keep everything clean, there is also the possibility of microbacteria slipping through the fibers and making its way into the system. Airborne microbacteria can consist of sneezes, coughs, pollen, pet dander, etc. which all provide food for zooglea bacteria to feast on.

What Happens When Zooglea Grows In The Drain Pan And Lines?

When zooglea grows, it takes up space in the drain line meaning there is less room for water to flow. If the drain line is not properly maintained, it may build up to the point where no water can flow through to the escape point, and floods upward into the pan until it eventually overflows.

The average air handler can hold 3 quarts of water, and produces 1.5 gallons of water an hour. If a clog forms, the condensation begins to build, and a water level monitor fails to trip (or if there isn't one installed meaning the system continues to run), a homeowner has an estimated 15 minutes to realize the pan is filling before it becomes an overflow.

Overflows are important to prevent because they can cause damage to ceilings, floors, and walls depending where the air handler is located. With the water coming from the HVAC unit specifically, most (if not all) insurance providers will deny coverage for the damage and write it off as neglect since the system is expected to be maintained by the homeowner. With that, insurance providers may also cancel a homeowner's policy since water damage creates the risk of mold build up in the home; which providers don't want to have a hand in.

Is This Important When My A/C Doesn't Run Often?

Contrary to popular belief, the presence of zooglea can become more of a hazard when living in a cooler environment! Though the A/C may be off most of the year, whatever zooglea accumulated when it was on may still be sitting in the lines. Without the flow of water through the system, zooglea can turn from a slimy substance into an almost concrete layer through a calcification like (hardening) process.

When it builds up over time, the drain line becomes tighter and harder for water to flow through and eventually near impossible to clear out. This can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars in replacements, repairs, and professional labor.

So, What Is The Proper Maintenance Procedure?

For a long time both HVAC professionals and homeowners have come up with household solutions to clearing out zooglea growth. The most common of these solutions involve a wet/dry VAC, vinegar, or bleach. While these methods have proven semi-reliable through the years, with the new introduction of aluminum coils and more recent research furthering our understanding of zooglea and A/C units as a whole, we have found these methods to only create more issues than they solve.

Wet/Dry VAC

The vacuum method is an incredibly common form of A/C maintenance. Homeowners have enjoyed this process on their air handlers because it provides a visual sense of security. Being able to see the bacteria that the vacuum is pulling out of the drain line helps a user to know the method is working. Or at least make them think that they do.

The issue with the wet/dry vac is that it doesn't remove all of the bacteria. Though it may remove the large pieces contributing to clogs, it is not able to pull the tougher zooglea deposits off of the walls of the drain pan or drain line quite as easy. This means when a clean out is finished, the lines are prone to immediate re-growth, which can result in a clog in less than 2-weeks!

Vinegar

Pouring vinegar down the drain line is probably the most common method of flushing out drain lines. The only issue is that all it does is that: flush out the line. Vinegar does not break down bacteria at all, meaning whatever bacteria is left in the line will stay there and regrow immediately just like with the vacuum method. This ultimately does not solve or prevent the issue of zooglea, but rather keeps delaying the problem for a later date. The process of clear-out is then repeated again, and again, and again...

This method also poses an environmental hazard. While it may have been the most natural choice for a long time, when vinegar makes it to the escape point on a house it is incredibly toxic to the environment. Vinegar is actually a harsh chemical that kills plants, kills pollinators, and can kill any other curious wildlife nearby (including pets)!

Bleach

Vinegar and Bleach are the most time consuming options for drain line clean outs, quick flush outs with these options often mean the process was performed incorrectly. Bleach is the most harmful choice for A/C clear outs, having the same toxic effects of vinegar alongside posing a health risk to the user. While bleach may be used as a household and laundry cleaner, people tend to take for granted just how dangerous it is because of that.

For instance, the scent put off by bleach consists of toxic and corrosive gasses. While the liquid may flow down the drain line, the fumes backdraft upward. Not only into the user's lungs but also back into the air handler. When these fumes are regularly exposed to the evaporator coils, they cause corrosion over time and remove years off an air handler's lifespan; in the same way they damage the lungs when inhaled.

Remember that mention of the "aggressive zooglea" earlier in this article? All three of the above methods can agitate the zooglea in your lines, causing it to grow back faster and tougher than before if remains are left in the system!

How To Actually Prevent Zooglea Growth In Your Drain Pan And Drain Lines

The current safest and most effective solution to zooglea growth on the market is iFLO. The iFLO formula is enzyme based making it the most natural solution and safe for the environment. With this, it is the most effective at actually breaking down bacteria.

iFLO works on a smart automated device that mounts directly to your air handler (or a wall/stud nearby). The device automatically dispenses cleaner on a regular schedule for the homeowner so they no longer have to put in the extra work. It also connects to the WiFi in their home to send alerts to their phone and keep them up to date on what is happening with their device even when they are away.

The device dispenses between 3-6oz of fluid (depending on the concentration) and is the only solution on the market that can actually clean the entire drain pan, even the tough to reach back corners. The enzymes live in the condensate water for weeks and feed on zooglea bacteria, preventing it from having the chance to grow in the lines. iFLO is critical in protecting a homeowner's policy as it prevents overflows from having the chance to happen.

It's important to note that iFLO does not just push a clog out of the line, but is rather a preventive solution for zooglea growth. Meaning a pre-cleaning of the system is recommended so iFLO enzymes have the best chance to keep up with the bacteria already in the lines. The system is made to work year-round, meaning no risk of calcification during the winter, no extra work from the homeowner, and peace of mind their A/C will be running at all times even when they aren't home for long periods of time.

iFLO Cost Break Down

Though the price of iFLO is seemingly higher than other methods, it is important to compare its cost in the long run rather than an immediate purchase.

A drain pan and drain line cleaning can cost on average between $75 - $250 each. Depending on how frequent throughout the year the system needs attention, these service charges can add up! If a homeowner opts to perform maintenance themselves, we also believe their time and safety is worth just as much money if not more.

Signing up for iFLO's auto-replenish 6-month cartridge can cost as low as $72/year. Not only does this provide a reminder to refill your device, but also to schedule a bi-annual maintenance with your HVAC technician!

iFLO is a luxury proprietary formula that is nonreplicated by other products on the market. It is also the only non-corrosive option that provides continued preventive maintenance and isn't just a one-time use "leave it until later" solution. The iFLO formula is proven to keep bacteria away by breaking it down before it can build which is a service no other chemical can currently provide.

Why haven't I heard of iFLO?

The iFLO company launched in January of 2023 and has already accumulated tens of thousands of satisfied customers as well as hundreds of professional HVAC installers who stand by the product and its effectiveness. If your HVAC tech or family/friends are still telling you to use beach, vinegar, or a vacuum on your drain pan and lines, it isn't because they want you to lose time or money on your system; it's because there hasn't been a solution on the market quite like iFLO until now and no one has known any better.

Now is the time to take the initiative against bacteria growth keeping your drain pan/lines clean, maximize the lifespan of your HVAC system, all while protecting your yard, your policy, and your home!

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