Air conditioners are constructed to resist precipitation, like rain and snow. However, if your outdoor air conditioner is drenched in standing water from a long downpour, this may severely damage the electrical components in it. Your air conditioner is most likely to get damaged if the floodwater reaches a foot deep. Still, if the system has flooded at all, reach out to Finch Air Conditioning & Heating at 281-407-9478 for an air conditioning inspection.
If severe flooding has taken place or is likely to happen, 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 keep out water. Instead, it will trap moisture inside, promote rust, hasten mold growth and give animals a spot to hide.
If you reside in a flood-prone spot, consider installing your air conditioner on a high base. This elevates the system above any floodwaters and can save you trouble and expense when you have to deal with the next downpour.
Another approach to care for your air conditioning unit is to create a retaining wall around it. This structure can prevent air conditioner flooding, even as water flows around it. Similarly, you can stack sandbags around the equipment when you realize a storm is on the way.
If hail is predicted, 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 turn on your AC while it’s flooded with water. Doing so may result in an electrical shock hazard or even ruin the internal system components.
To avoid this damage, disconnect the power to the AC and thermostat. The quickest method for doing this is to locate the HVAC and thermostat breakers in your junction box and flip them to the “off” position. If you want a second opinion, call an air conditioning service company like Finch Air Conditioning & Heating.
After Flooding
Once the rain subsides, you want your AC to dry out swiftly. Siphon off standing water, if possible, and clean any debris from the nearby area.
Don’t turn on the system until it has been evaluated by an HVAC professional. Even after it has dried out, running flood-damaged equipment might present the same hazards as switching on the air conditioning while it’s still under the water. Some problems require days or weeks to begin revealing symptoms, so it’s wise to keep your air conditioning turned off until you receive the go-ahead from an HVAC tech.
While you wait for your technician to arrive, read through 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 air conditioner has experienced wind or hail damage.
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