Air conditioners are constructed to resist weather, such as rain and snow. However, if your outdoor air conditioner is flooded with standing water from a long downpour, this might critically damage the electrical components within. Your air conditioner is most likely to get damaged if the floodwater exceeds a foot deep. Still, if the unit has flooded at all, reach out to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 587-404-0790 for an air conditioning inspection.
If bad flooding has taken place or is likely to take place, follow these instructions to avoid harming your air conditioner or generating 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 draw moisture inside, lead to rust, encourage mold growth and give critters a place to hide.
If you reside in a flood-prone location, consider placing your air conditioner on an elevated platform. This elevates the machinery above any floodwaters and can save you trouble and expense when you have to deal with the next downpour.
Another method to protect your air conditioning equipment is to create a retaining wall around it. This option can help you avoid air conditioner flooding, even as water flows around it. Similarly, you can place sandbags around the unit when you realize a storm is approaching.
If hail is predicted, you can secure boards of plywood across the top of the air conditioner to protect it from hail damage. Weigh the wood down safely with stones or bricks in case the wind gets stronger.
During Flooding
Don’t use your AC while it’s submerged in water. Doing so may result in an electrical shock hazard or potentially damage the internal system components.
To prevent these problems, turn off the power to the AC and thermostat. The quickest 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 need a second opinion, contact an air conditioning service company like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
After Flooding
Once the rain eases off, you want your AC to dry out swiftly. Siphon off standing water, if possible, and pick up any debris from the surrounding area.
Don’t run the system until it has been reviewed by an HVAC professional. Even after it has dried out, operating flood-damaged equipment can pose the same hazards as switching on the air conditioning while it’s still underwater. Some troubles need days or weeks to begin showing symptoms, so it’s ideal to keep your unit turned off until you receive the go-ahead from an HVAC tech.
While you wait for your appointment, check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if flood damage protects your outdoor cooling system. If so, take photos of the damage and process your claim as soon as possible. If you don’t have flood insurance, you could still be covered if the unit has suffered wind or hail damage.
Don’t Hesitate and Arrange Your AC Flooding Evaluation with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Today
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