Now that the Yuma area is well into summer, your air conditioning is likely running near continuously. There’s nothing like stepping out of the heat and into the coolness of your air conditioned home. But all that usage can lead to a buildup of condensation with the associated moisture problems. The good news is that you can take steps to avoid moisture and the damage it can cause.
Air conditioners have an inside component, the air handler and evaporator coil. Usually stored in your attic or a closet, the inside equipment can produce a large amount of condensation thanks to the difference in temperature between the unconditioned air and the refrigerant. Normally, this condensation goes down a drain into your sewer system. In
case of clogs in the main drain, A/C systems also have a back-up drain that allows water to drip outside the house.
If the main drain and back-up system aren’t working properly, the condensation will quickly build up and release water into the area where the evaporator coils are stored. Depending on the amount of condensation, this can lead to anything from mold problems to structural damage to your house.
Obstructed airflow causes the evaporator to work harder, which also leads to more condensation. Do-it-yourself preventions for too much condensation include regularly changing your air filter and keeping plants and debris away from the outside A/C unit.
One of the best ways to avoid moisture problems is to schedule annual maintenance and inspection of your A/C system. During the maintenance visit, the technician should check both your main and back-up drain for clogs, and clean them out if necessary. Other causes of excessive condensation that the service technician should check for include low refrigerant pressure, coils that need to be cleaned, or burned contacts on the contactor. By checking for and correcting these problems, you can avoid costly repairs from water damage.
As a final safety measure, you can ask your service technician to install a safety float switch. If the drain pan fails to drain properly, this switch will shut off the A/C until you can fix the problem.
For more information about HVAC issues in the Yuma area, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about moisture problems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Hansberger Refrigeration & Electric Co services the Yuma area in Arizona. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!