Air conditioners are constructed to withstand weather, such as rain and snow. However, if your outdoor air conditioner is drenched in standing water from a long downpour, this could seriously damage the electrical components inside. Your cooling is most likely to be damaged if the floodwater reaches a foot deep. Still, if the system has flooded at all, call Barlow Service Experts at 801-436-8985 for an air conditioning inspection.
If bad flooding has occurred or is likely to happen, follow these instructions to avoid damaging your air conditioning or generating dangerous operating conditions.
Before Flooding
Don’t cover your air conditioner with a tarp. A plastic sheet won’t keep out water. Instead, it will bring moisture inside, lead to rust, cause mold growth and give critters an area to hide.
If you live in a flood-prone area, research installing your air conditioner on an elevated floor. This elevates the machinery above possible floodwaters and can save you hassle and expense following the next downpour.
Another method to protect your air conditioning unit is to create a retaining wall around it. This technique can help you avoid air conditioner flooding, even as water rises around it. Similarly, you can pile sandbags around the equipment when you are alerted a storm is on the way.
If hail is predicted, you can lay pieces of plywood across the top of the air conditioner to shield it from hail damage. Weigh the plywood down firmly with stones or bricks in case the wind begins gusting.
During Flooding
Don’t run your air conditioner while it’s surrounded by water. Doing so could create an electrical shock hazard or potentially destroy the internal system components.
To skip these problems, switch off the power to the AC and thermostat. The easiest method for doing this is to find the HVAC and thermostat breakers in your junction box and switch them to the “off” position. If you want help, call an air conditioning service company like Barlow Service Experts.
After Flooding
Once the rain moves on, you want your air conditioner to dry out as soon as possible. Remove standing water, if possible, and pick up any debris from the immediate area.
Don’t run the AC until it has been inspected by an HVAC technician. Even after it has dried out, using flood-damaged equipment can pose the same hazards as turning on the air conditioning while it’s still underwater. Some problems take days or weeks to begin revealing symptoms, so it’s smart to keep your unit turned off until you get the okay from an HVAC tech.
While you wait for your service visit, review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if flood damage secures your outdoor cooling system. If so, take stock of the damage and submit your claim right away. If you don’t have flood insurance, you could still be covered if the system has suffered wind or hail damage.
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