Air conditioners are designed to resist elements, including rain and snow. However, if your outdoor air conditioner is immersed in standing water from a large downpour, this may seriously damage the electrical components within. Your air conditioner is most likely to get damaged if the floodwater rises above a foot deep. Still, if the unit has flooded at all, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 901-235-1196 for an air conditioning inspection.
If bad flooding has occurred or is likely to take place, follow these directions to avoid harming your AC unit or creating dangerous operating conditions.
Before Flooding
Don’t cover your air conditioner with anything. A plastic sheet won’t repel water. Instead, it will trap moisture inside, lead to rust, encourage mold growth and give critters a spot to hide.
If you reside in a flood-prone area, research moving your air conditioner on a high platform. This elevates the equipment above any floodwaters and can save you trouble and expense following the next downpour.
Another way to safeguard your air conditioning equipment is to place a retaining wall around it. This structure can stop air conditioner flooding, even as water collects around it. Similarly, you can place sandbags around the equipment when you know a storm is on the way.
If hail is expected, you can lay pieces of plywood across the top of the air conditioner to shield it from hail damage. Weigh the wood down safely with stones or bricks in case the wind begins gusting.
During Flooding
Don’t turn on your AC while it’s surrounded by water. Doing so may create an electrical shock hazard or even destroy the internal system components.
To avoid these problems, switch off the power to the air conditioner and thermostat. The easiest 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 want a second opinion, get in touch with an air conditioning service company like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
After Flooding
Once the rain subsides, you want your air conditioner to dry out quickly. Remove standing water, if possible, and clean any debris from the surrounding area.
Don’t start the AC until it has been checked by an HVAC professional. Even after it has dried out, operating flood-damaged equipment may cause the same hazards as using the air conditioning while it’s still submerged in water. Some troubles need days or weeks to begin having symptoms, so it’s ideal to keep your air conditioning turned off until you get the go-ahead from an HVAC pro.
While you wait for your appointment, check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if flood damage protects your outdoor air conditioning system. If so, take photos of the damage and submit your claim as soon as possible. If you don’t have flood insurance, you could still be covered if the air conditioner has sustained wind or hail damage.
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