Air conditioners are constructed to endure elements, such as 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 within. Your air conditioner is most likely to be damaged if the floodwater exceeds a foot deep. Still, if the unit has flooded at all, reach out to Church Services at 713-396-3760 for an air conditioning inspection.
If extreme flooding has taken place or is likely to happen, follow these instructions to avoid hurting your air conditioning or creating dangerous operating conditions.
Before Flooding
Don’t cover your air conditioner with a heavy cloth. A plastic sheet won’t repel water. Instead, it will trap moisture inside, encourage rust, cause mold growth and give pests an area to hide.
If you live in a flood-prone location, think about placing your air conditioner on a high platform. This elevates the unit above any floodwaters and can save you trouble and expense following the next downpour.
Another way to care for your air conditioning unit is to build a retaining wall around it. This technique can prevent air conditioner flooding, even as water rises around it. Similarly, you can stack sandbags around the system when you are alerted a storm is on the way.
If hail is expected, you can lay boards of plywood across the top of the air conditioner to shield it from hail damage. Weigh the wood down firmly with stones or bricks in case the wind begins gusting.
During Flooding
Don’t use your system while it’s surrounded by water. Doing so could result in an electrical shock hazard or possibly destroy the internal system components.
To avoid these problems, turn off the power to the air conditioner and thermostat. The fastest method for completing this is to find the HVAC and thermostat breakers in your junction box and turn them to the “off” position. If you want a second opinion, call an air conditioning service company like Church Services.
After Flooding
Once the rain moves on, you want your system to dry out swiftly. Remove standing water, if possible, and clean any debris from the immediate area.
Don’t run the system until it has been checked by an HVAC expert. Even after it has dried out, operating flood-damaged equipment can cause the same hazards as using the air conditioning while it’s still submerged in water. Some troubles take days or weeks to begin revealing symptoms, so it’s best to keep your air conditioner turned off until you have the go-ahead from an HVAC tech.
While you wait for your technician to arrive, review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if flood damage protects your outdoor cooling system. If so, take photos of the damage and present your claim right away. If you don’t have flood insurance, you might still be covered if the unit has suffered wind or hail damage.
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