Avoid Damage With an HVAC Wet Switch
Indiana homeowners know—or can imagine—what a nightmare a water leak can be. From an overflowing sump pump to broken pipes to faulty fixtures and corroded water heaters, uncontrolled water flow in your Fishers home can damage floors, walls, ceilings, appliances, and other belongings.
Plumbing issues probably come to mind first when considering the problems excess moisture can cause in your home. Would you be surprised to discover that your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit creates moisture too? It produces condensate that can overflow drain pans and damage your home.
Fortunately, an HVAC wet switch can detect an accumulation of water and tell your heating and cooling system to shut down before the moisture damages the unit and its surroundings.
Get Professional HVAC Help
Our expert team at Star Heating & Cooling, LLC can easily add a wet switch to your HVAC system. The small but effective device can safeguard your heating and cooling unit from excess moisture and give you peace of mind.
Why choose Star Heating & Cooling? We have a 37-year track record of going the extra mile for our customers in Greater Indianapolis. No job is too big or small for our highly trained technicians. We offer solutions that stress proactivity and prevention, including a four-tier maintenance program with thorough tune-ups and 21-point visual inspections.
During a tune-up or inspection, we can identify and correct a clogged HVAC drain, overflowing drain pan, and condensate buildup. An HVAC wet switch will safeguard your equipment from water damage between scheduled maintenance visits.
How Does a Wet Switch Work?
The wet switch sits in the drain pan of your HVAC condensate system. When the sensor on the switch detects water, it immediately triggers the switch, which signals the HVAC unit to shut down, stopping the formation of more condensate that could potentially overflow the pan. Some wet switches have an audible alarm that alerts you to the need for service.
Our qualified Star Heating & Cooling technicians can recommend the best placement for your wet switch. If your system’s drain pan has a float switch, we may recommend placing the wet switch in an auxiliary pan to provide an additional layer of safety.
The primary drain pan for an AC unit is beneath the evaporator coil, which drips condensation during the cooling process. Some systems also have a secondary drain pan, especially if installed in an attic.
Float VS Wet Switch
Both devices shut your HVAC system down. As water rises in the pan, the float mechanism moves and triggers the switch. The wet switch sensor detects water immediately.
Float switches require a specific level of water in the pan before they trigger a shutdown, making them slower to respond. They are more prone to malfunction because the float mechanism can stick or become damaged. Wet switches are more reliable.
A wet switch can back up the float switch installed in your system or serve as the primary means of preventing condensate overflow.
A Wet Switch Prevents Mold
Besides preventing water damage and protecting electrical components by shutting down power to parts that could short-circuit and cause fire, a wet switch also prevents mold from growing in your HVAC system.
When water lingers in a drain pan, it creates a perfect environment for mold. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. It recommends drying water-damaged areas within 24 to 28 hours.
A wet switch will alert you to the presence of water before mold has time to grow.
Install a Wet Switch Today
The experts at Star Heating & Cooling, LLC can help you avert water damage to your HVAC system and your Fishers, Indiana, home by installing a wet switch. Call us at 317-349-0990 or request service online.