Air conditioners are designed to endure elements, like rain and snow. However, if your outdoor air conditioner is immersed in standing water from a large downpour, this might severely damage the electrical components inside. Your cooling is most likely to be damaged if the floodwater reaches a foot deep. Still, if the unit has flooded at all, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 305-440-1505 for an air conditioning inspection.
If bad flooding has taken place or is likely to occur, follow these directions to avoid harming your HVAC system or generating dangerous operating conditions.
Before Flooding
Don’t cover your air conditioner with anything. A plastic sheet won’t keep out water. Instead, it will draw moisture inside, lead to rust, encourage mold growth and give critters a place to hide.
If you reside in a flood-prone spot, consider placing your air conditioner on a high stand. This elevates the machinery above potential floodwaters and can save you trouble and expense after the next downpour.
Another approach to care for your air conditioning unit is to create a retaining wall around it. This option can help you avoid air conditioner flooding, even as water collects around it. Similarly, you can stack sandbags around the system when you know a storm is approaching.
If hail is in the forecast, you can place boards of plywood across the top of the air conditioner to shield it from hail damage. Weigh the wood down safely with stones or bricks in case the wind begins gusting.
During Flooding
Don’t use your air conditioner while it’s surrounded by water. Doing so could create an electrical shock hazard or possibly destroy the internal system components.
To avoid this damage, switch off the power to the air conditioner and thermostat. The fastest method for accomplishing this is to locate the HVAC and thermostat breakers in your junction box and switch them to the “off” position. If you need help, contact an air conditioning service company like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
After Flooding
Once the rain moves on, you want your AC to dry out quickly. Draw away standing water, if possible, and clean any debris from the surrounding area.
Don’t turn on the AC until it has been inspected by an HVAC professional. Even after it has dried out, running flood-damaged equipment might cause the same hazards as turning on the air conditioning while it’s still underwater. Some problems need days or weeks to begin revealing symptoms, so it’s ideal to keep your air conditioner turned off until you have the okay from an HVAC pro.
While you wait for your service visit, go over your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if flood damage protects your outdoor air conditioning system. If so, take photos of the damage and submit your claim quickly. If you don’t have flood insurance, you may still be covered if the unit has suffered wind or hail damage.
Don’t Hesitate and Request Your AC Flooding Evaluation with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Today
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