FACILITY MANAGER
Case Study
CHALLENGE
A facility manager in the oil and gas sector was responsible for maintaining a 600,000 sq. ft. property with over 170 HVAC units— some as large as 25 tons. The site was experiencing frequent clogs in condensate drain lines, which led to:
- Overflowing drain pans
- Ceiling tile and carpet damage
- Emergency cleanups every 6–8 weeks
- Reallocation of the facility’s sole HVAC technician to repetitive drain maintenance
The problem extended beyond HVAC systems. Commercial ice machines were also leaking due to clogged drains, further adding to the maintenance burden.
SOLUTION
To address the recurring drain issues, the team installed AC Drain Free, a preventive solution designed to keep drain lines clear using a simple canister-and-tablet system.
- The product was first installed on HVAC units by the in-house technician with no disruption to operations.
- Slow-dissolving tablets were added to the canister to deliver consistent treatment over time.
- Based on its performance, the team extended use to ice machines experiencing similar issues.
- Tablets were monitored monthly and replaced only when needed— typically every 6–8 weeks depending on unit size and usage.
- A third-party HVAC consultant independently tested the product and confirmed its safety on equipment with no chemical residue or corrosive impact.
- Because AC Drain Free was already listed as an approved vendor in Coupa, the team could reorder with no procurement barriers, making it scalable across other facilities.
RESULTS
Since implementing AC Drain Free:
- Emergency drain pan cleanings have stopped entirely on treated units—even after two years in use.
- The ice machine drains that once leaked now remain clear with no maintenance required.
- The HVAC technician—previously bogged down with preventable tasks—is now free to focus on higher-value repairs and system upkeep.
- The solution’s ease of use and reliability prompted the team to recommend it to other facilities managers, highlighting its scalability.
- Testing by a third-party HVAC professional verified no adverse impact on coils or system components, further reinforcing confidence in the product.
“It’s one less thing you have to worry about. It works. It’s easy. And it frees up time to do real maintenance. I don’t know why more people don’t use it.” – B.C, Facility Manager
AC Drain Free proved to be a simple, scalable, and effective solution that delivered real operational relief and measurable maintenance efficiency.
About AC Drain Free
AC Drain Free is a simple, effective solution designed to prevent clogs in HVAC and refrigeration drain lines.
Its easy-to-install canister and slow-dissolving tablet system deliver consistent, long-term protection without the need for power, moving parts, or frequent maintenance. Trusted by facilities managers and HVAC professionals alike, AC Drain Free helps reduce emergency service calls, protect property from water damage, and free up technicians to focus on higher-value tasks.