Throughout the summer months, the air conditioner is key for keeping your home cool and comfortable. As the unit cools the air, condensation is produced and can build up. The buildup of clogs in the drainage system can cause the air conditioner to leak. Luckily, regular maintenance and some simple do-it-yourself tips will help you prevent leaks and the potential disasters associated with a leaky air conditioner.
Check for leaks
Check your air conditioner regularly for signs of a leak or water standing in the drain pan. If you spot a leak or standing water, turn off the A/C unit and contact your HVAC professional.
Schedule annual maintenance
Your first line of defense in preventing a leaky air conditioner is to schedule regular, annual HVAC maintenance. Speak with your trusted contractor about developing an annual air conditioner maintenance list that helps treat and protect against leaks. Your HVAC agreement should include tasks such as:
- Checking the main drain
- Checking all drain lines (including emergency) for clogs
- Changing air conditioning filter
After maintenance is completed, continue to check your filter on a monthly basis. Change filters that become clogged or excessively dirty.
Algaecide
Have your air conditioner treated with an algaecide treatment on an annual basis. Algaecide treatment kills any algae growing in the drainage system. Algae growth commonly causes clogs which can lead to a leaky air conditioner.
Safety float switch
Consider having your HVAC contractor install a safety float switch on your A/C unit. Should water begin to accumulate in the drain pan, the float switch shuts of the A/C unit in order to prevent leaks. This will also alert you to the problem, so you can contact your contractor to inspect the system and make any necessary repairs.
For more expert information about solving leaky air conditioner problems, contact Around the Clock Air Conditioning and Heating. We service the greater Los Angeles area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioner leaks and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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