I just got home from work and my wife mentioned that the upstairs thermostat is blank. I checked, and there are no tripped breakers. When I went to the attic, I found that the condensate pan has almost an inch of water in it, which triggered the flood sensor. I suspect that the condensate drain is clogged. Since it's really hot in the attic right now, I'm wondering a couple of things: Is it worth trying to fix this tonight, or could the compressor be damaged? If it's not damaged, is it safe to run the unit for about a week while I wait for a quote for replacement? Lastly, what are the estimated costs for replacement if that turns out to be necessary?
3 Answers
It sounds like the thermostat might not be getting power because the float switch has tripped due to the water in the pan. You should clear the condensate drain, and once the switch resets, the system should turn back on. That float switch is a safety feature to prevent water damage, so definitely address that first!
If you've got a small shop vac, you might want to clear the condensate drain outside; it can quickly solve some of the blockage. Just make sure to check the whole line to get rid of any gunk.
Here's a handy video tutorial that could help: [Watch Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msrq8RV8Opc).
You're right that the sensor will cut the power if the pan is full. Just get that drain unclogged and it should start working again once everything's cleared out. If it's only been the flood switch tripping, there shouldn't be long-term damage.
That's a good point! And if you're installing a new unit, consider adding extra drainage options for the future.