Air conditioners are constructed to withstand weather, like rain and snow. However, if your outdoor air conditioner is submerged in standing water from a large downpour, this can critically damage the electrical components inside. Your air conditioner is most likely to be damaged if the floodwater reaches a foot deep. Still, if the system has flooded at all, contact Pardee Service Experts at 843-410-6103 for an air conditioning inspection.
If severe flooding has happened or is likely to take place, follow these instructions 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 repel water. Instead, it will trap moisture inside, promote rust, hasten mold growth and give pests an area to hide.
If you are in a flood-prone area, research moving your air conditioner on a raised base. This elevates the unit above any floodwaters and can save you trouble and expense following the next downpour.
Another method to protect your air conditioning system is to place a retaining wall around it. This technique can help you avoid air conditioner flooding, even as water surges around it. Similarly, you can pile sandbags around the system when you realize a storm is on the way.
If hail is in the forecast, you can place pieces of plywood across the top of the air conditioner to guard it from hail damage. Weigh the boards down safely with stones or bricks in case the wind gets stronger.
During Flooding
Don’t turn on your AC while it’s flooded with water. Doing so can create an electrical shock hazard or potentially ruin the internal system components.
To skip this damage, disconnect the power to the AC and thermostat. The easiest method for completing this is to find the HVAC and thermostat breakers in your junction box and flip them to the “off” position. If you want assistance, get in touch with an air conditioning service company like Pardee Service Experts.
After Flooding
Once the rain eases off, you want your system to dry out quickly. Remove standing water, if possible, and remove any debris from the immediate area.
Don’t turn on the AC until it has been checked by an HVAC technician. Even after it has dried out, using flood-damaged equipment may pose the same hazards as turning on the air conditioning while it’s still underwater. Some troubles need days or weeks to begin showing symptoms, so it’s best to keep your unit turned off until you get the go-ahead from an HVAC technician.
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 stock of the damage and process your claim quickly. If you don’t have flood insurance, you may still be covered if the unit has suffered wind or hail damage.
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