Air conditioners are built to withstand elements, including rain and snow. However, if your outdoor air conditioner is submerged in standing water from a long downpour, this may seriously damage the electrical components in it. Your air conditioner is most likely to suffer damage if the floodwater exceeds a foot deep. Still, if the equipment has flooded at all, reach out to Jack Nelson Service Experts at 918-212-8927 for an air conditioning inspection.
If bad flooding has taken place or is likely to take place, follow these directions to avoid hurting your air conditioner or generating dangerous operating conditions.
Before Flooding
Don’t cover your air conditioner with a tarp. A plastic sheet won’t repel water. Instead, it will draw moisture inside, lead to rust, encourage mold growth and give critters a place to hide.
If you live in a flood-prone spot, research installing your air conditioner on a raised floor. This elevates the unit above any floodwaters and can save you hassle and expense after the next downpour.
Another method to safeguard your air conditioning unit is to install 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 know a storm is coming.
If hail is predicted, you can secure pieces of plywood across the top of the air conditioner to protect it from hail damage. Weigh the plywood down safely with stones or bricks in case the wind begins gusting.
During Flooding
Don’t turn on your AC while it’s flooded with water. Doing so can lead to an electrical shock hazard or possibly damage the internal system components.
To prevent these problems, switch off the power to the air conditioner and thermostat. The quickest method for accomplishing this is to find the HVAC and thermostat breakers in your junction box and turn them to the “off” position. If you need assistance, contact an air conditioning service company like Jack Nelson Service Experts.
After Flooding
Once the rain moves on, you want your AC to dry out quickly. Remove standing water, if possible, and remove any debris from the nearby area.
Don’t run the AC until it has been checked by an HVAC technician. Even after it has dried out, using flood-damaged equipment can cause the same hazards as turning on the air conditioning while it’s still underwater. Some issues take days or weeks to begin showing symptoms, so it’s ideal to keep your air conditioner turned off until you receive the go-ahead from an HVAC pro.
While you wait for your technician to arrive, review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if flood damage covers your outdoor air conditioning system. If so, take photos of the damage and process your claim quickly. If you don’t have flood insurance, you may still be covered if the unit has experienced wind or hail damage.
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