Your air conditioner does an admirable job of keeping you cool during Sacramento’s summers, but did you know that running your air conditioner could also damage your home? If you fail to maintain your A/C, it could develop a major leakage problem. Usually, the risk of leakage is highest when the drain pan is full or the main drain line is clogged. If you see dripping water or unexplained dampness around your air conditioner, contact a plumber right away to determine if you have a clog. If you do not have a clogged drain, try these tips to resolve the problem:

• Tend to your annual maintenance: Have your air conditioner inspected once a year by a certified HVAC contractor. The contractor will look for dirty coils, burned contacts and low refrigerant. These issues are easy to fix, but if they’re ignored, you could have a water problem on your hands.
• Look for algae: Constant water dripping in your air conditioner can cause algae to grow inside or near the unit. This can clog the drain line and lead to leakage. Ask your contractor to remove any algae and apply an algicide to prevent future growth.
• Install a float switch: When your drain pan gets full, the float switch will shut off the power to your air conditioner. This will keep the water from damaging your home, and you can call an HVAC contractor to fix the problem right away.
• Change the air filter: A clogged air filter causes your air conditioner to work harder, which in turn produces more condensation. Change the air filter regularly, as recommended by your contractor or your owner’s manual. Removing vegetation from the area around the outside condensing unit will also help to keep your air conditioner running the way it should.

For more tips on running your air conditioner, contact All Year Heating, Air & Solar. We provide Sacramento residents with expert HVAC service and can help you prevent expensive repairs to your home by keeping your major systems properly maintained. Give us a call. We’re happy to help.