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The Float Switch In Your Air Conditioning System Prevents Water Damage When It Functions Properly

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You probably notice the air in your home is less humid as well as cooler when your air conditioner is running. That's because the air conditioner pulls humidity out of your house through the process of condensation. The water from condensation then drips in a pan and flows out a drain. If a clog develops, the pan gets too full and a safety switch turns your AC off. Here are some things to know about the safety float switch on your air conditioner.

A Float Switch Protects Your Home From Water Damage

Since your AC air handler is probably out of sight, you wouldn't notice it leaking water on the floor. The leak could go on for a long time and cause water damage or mold. It might even cause damage to your air handler. The float switch prevents water damage by shutting your AC off when the level of water in the drain pan gets too high.

When you come home to a hot house because your AC isn't working, the air conditioning repair technician will have to troubleshoot the problem and discover the cause is a full water pan or a bad float switch. The repair is usually a quick and simple procedure, and it's much less expensive than having to deal with water damage caused by not knowing the drain pan overflowed.

A Clog Can Cause The Drain Pan To Get Too Full

The condensation drain pan usually doesn't have a problem with getting too full because the water flows out a drain and goes outside. However, if the drain becomes clogged with an insect, algae, or other debris, water can't drain and the water in the pan gets higher and higher. As the water level goes up, the float switch starts to float and is triggered to notify the control panel on your AC to shut the system down.

A Float Switch Can Malfunction

Problems sometimes arise with the float switch, and it needs to be repaired or replaced. An air conditioning repair technician can test the switch to see if the problem is with the float or the connections to the control panel.

Sometimes a float switch can get stuck to the pan and not float. The switch might also develop a crack or other damage due to old age. If your HVAC has a float switch and you discover a leak, then call an AC repair service because the switch isn't working as it should.

The repair service can remove clogs from the drain line, replace a bad drain pan, or put in a new float switch to fix the problem. If you have an older AC, it may not even have a float switch. In that case, you may want the AC technician to install one so you can avoid problems with water damage around the air handler.

If your AC isn't functioning, call an air conditioning repair professional for assistance. 


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