iFlo HVAC Kit
This Product Review is a little different from our traditional format. Typically, we test products with multiple users and focus on features and benefits. In this case, I was the sole tester, and I purchased the product myself to solve a problem in my own home.
Living in South Florida, air conditioning is not seasonal. It is constant, with our unit running an average of 350 days per year. Shortly after installing a new A/C unit, I ran into a frustrating issue: The drain line kept clogging. You already know what follows: backed-up pans, tripped overflow switches and a service call unless you’re comfortable clearing it yourself. If not, it turns into a pricey visit.
Frustrated, I realized I needed a preventative solution, not another temporary fix. Before reaching that conclusion, I went through the basics. I flushed the line. I used a wet/dry vacuum to pull suction through it. I even used a fish tape to manually clear the drain. Every one of these approaches required me to remember to do it. None of it was automated, and inevitably the clog would occur while I was traveling, leaving my wife to deal with the problem. It was not a system; it was a recurring chore.
After researching preventative options, I discovered iFLO, a company focused specifically on protecting condensate drain systems before clogs happen.
The concept is straightforward. The iFLO system automatically dispenses a proprietary enzymatic cleaning solution into the condensate line on a schedule. Instead of reacting to a clog, it works continuously to prevent the buildup of sludge and biofilm, often identified as Zoogloea, that cause blockages and odors. Many HVAC professionals note that this issue has become more common as modern air handlers have shifted from copper coils, which have natural antimicrobial properties, to all-aluminum evaporator coils. This shift creates an environment in which organic buildup can develop more easily inside condensate systems.
Installation was simple and works with existing drain lines. Once installed, the unit operates automatically. The app allows homeowners to monitor activity and track each dispense in real time, adding visibility without adding work.
After running the system in my South Florida home for six months without a single clog, I installed the same unit in my mother’s home in The Villages. Her situation was similar, with recurring drain line issues. After a few service calls, she was forced to rely on the same temporary tactics I initially used, and no son wants his mother manually clearing an A/C drain line. The second installation was just as straightforward, and now both homes have consistent, automated protection in place.
From a product standpoint, the enzymatic solution is non-acidic, non-bleach and non-corrosive, making it safe for the system and the home. It attacks organic buildup at the source rather than masking the issue, supporting long-term HVAC performance.
There is also a smart retail angle. iFLO utilizes proprietary refill bottles verified through a QR-based authentication process. Once the initial bottle is empty, the unit will dispense only approved refill solutions. For independent hardware retailers, this effectively creates a subscription-style revenue stream. Customers must return for authenticated refills, turning what is typically a one-time hardware sale into an ongoing maintenance relationship that drives incremental sales.
I recently connected with the company at a wholesaler show and agreed to share my experience. For full transparency, the company supplied the unit installed in my mother’s home, though I would have purchased it regardless, given my results. This review is based on two real-world installations protecting two homes in Florida’s demanding climate.
Independent hardware stores in The Villages, this is my personal plea: Please carry the iFLO system, or at minimum, stock the refill bottles. My mother prefers independent stores, and I would much rather have her walk into a locally owned store where someone helps her than navigate a big-box aisle or an app to find the product. She values knowledgeable service and personal attention, and this is exactly the type of preventative, practical product that belongs on independent shelves.
Sometimes the best products are not flashy. They simply solve a real problem before it becomes an expensive one. iFLO does exactly that.