Air conditioners are built to endure elements, like rain and snow. However, if your outdoor air conditioner is flooded with standing water from a torrential downpour, this may critically damage the electrical components within. Your AC unit is most likely to be damaged if the floodwater exceeds a foot deep. Still, if the system has flooded at all, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 954-736-4314 for an air conditioning inspection.
If extreme flooding has taken place or is likely to occur, follow these steps to avoid hurting your AC unit or generating dangerous operating conditions.
Before Flooding
Don’t cover your air conditioner with a tarp. A plastic sheet won’t protect it from water. Instead, it will trap moisture inside, encourage rust, hasten mold growth and give animals a spot to hide.
If you reside in a flood-prone spot, research moving your air conditioner on an elevated platform. This elevates the equipment above potential floodwaters and can save you hassle and expense following the next downpour.
Another way to protect your air conditioning unit is to build a retaining wall around it. This option can help you avoid air conditioner flooding, even as water collects around it. Similarly, you can place sandbags around the equipment when you realize a storm is on the way.
If hail is expected, you can place sections of plywood across the top of the air conditioner to shield it from hail damage. Weigh the boards down securely 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 can result in an electrical shock hazard or possibly destroy the internal system components.
To avoid these problems, disconnect the power to the AC and thermostat. The fastest method for doing this is to go to the HVAC and thermostat breakers in your junction box and switch them to the “off” position. If you need assistance, contact an air conditioning service company like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
After Flooding
Once the rain moves on, you want your air conditioner to dry out as soon as possible. Siphon off standing water, if possible, and remove any debris from the nearby area.
Don’t run the system until it has been inspected by an HVAC expert. Even after it has dried out, running flood-damaged equipment can cause the same hazards as turning on the air conditioning while it’s still underwater. Some troubles need days or weeks to begin revealing symptoms, so it’s ideal to keep your air conditioning turned off until you receive the go-ahead from an HVAC technician.
While you wait for your technician to arrive, go over your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if flood damage secures your outdoor cooling system. If so, take pictures of the damage and process your claim quickly. If you don’t have flood insurance, you might still be covered if the unit has suffered wind or hail damage.
Request an Air Conditioning Flooding Evaluation with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
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