iFLO AC Cleaner

With temperatures expected to be higher than normal this summer, the last thing you want on a sweltering summer day is for your AC to suddenly stop working. One of the common reasons an AC system might shut down is a clogged drain pipe, also known as a condensate line.

Enter iFLO.

In a video on the company’s website, above, iFLO uses an animation to show how its “smart device” works by automatically dispensing a cleaning solution into an AC unit’s drain pan that then travels to the drain pipe, flushing out the entire system and keeping it “clog-free … all year long. Guaranteed.”

But while iFLO touts that its device prevents AC shutdowns by keeping systems clog-free – and that since the company launched a year ago, its customers have had “ZERO” clogs caused by zooglea, a specific type of bacteria it claims to target – actual customer reviews paint a different picture.

This includes customer reviews on iFLO’s own website, as well as those left on Home Depot’s website. According to these reviews, the device does not prevent shutdowns or clogs and in some cases, makes clogs worse. One of the Home Depot reviews even mentions zooglea specifically, stating that iFLO did not prevent zooglea from building up.

There is also a discrepancy between the 4.7-star average customer rating on the iFLO homepage and the less conspicuous 4.2-star average rating displayed at the bottom of product pages. The average customer rating is even lower than that on Home Depot’s website, where the company doesn’t even crack 4 stars and 1 star is the second most common rating.

Money-back guarantee

In addition to the device not working as advertised, some of the complaints above report having difficulties reaching iFLO, which may become an issue if you want to take advantage of the company’s touted money-back guarantee.

Another red flag regarding the company’s money-back guarantee? According to a website FAQ, it does not cover shipping and handling costs, despite that same FAQ referring to the perk as a 100% money-back guarantee. It’s also unclear whether consumers have 30 or 90 days to send the device back for a partial refund as iFLO cites both time periods on its website.

The company did not respond to TINA.org’s request for comment.

The bottom line

According to a number of consumer complaints, iFLO doesn’t live up to the hype of its ads. And when TINA.org requested the company’s substantiation for claims that its device prevents clogs and AC system shutdowns, we didn’t receive a response.

Find more of our coverage on ads targeting homeowners.