Air conditioners are built to endure elements, including rain and snow. However, if your outdoor air conditioner is submerged in standing water from a large downpour, this can seriously 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 equipment has flooded at all, reach out to Eveready Service Experts at 804-548-4480 for an air conditioning inspection.
If severe flooding has taken place or is likely to happen, follow these instructions to avoid damaging your air conditioning or making 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, encourage mold growth and give pests a spot to hide.
If you are in a flood-prone area, think about placing your air conditioner on an elevated stand. This elevates the unit above possible floodwaters and can save you stress and expense when you have to deal with the next downpour.
Another method to safeguard your air conditioning system is to place 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 system when you know a storm is approaching.
If hail is expected, you can place sections of plywood across the top of the air conditioner to guard it from hail damage. Weigh the wood down safely with stones or bricks in case the wind gets stronger.
During Flooding
Don’t run your air conditioner while it’s flooded with water. Doing so may result in an electrical shock hazard or possibly destroy the internal system components.
To prevent these problems, switch off the power to the air conditioning and thermostat. The fastest method for completing this is to find the HVAC and thermostat breakers in your junction box and switch them to the “off” position. If you require a second opinion, call an air conditioning service company like Eveready Service Experts .
After Flooding
Once the rain eases off, you want your system to dry out quickly. Siphon off standing water, if possible, and remove any debris from the immediate area.
Don’t run the AC until it has been checked by an HVAC professional. Even after it has dried out, operating flood-damaged equipment could pose the same hazards as switching on the air conditioning while it’s still submerged in water. Some issues need days or weeks to begin having symptoms, so it’s best to keep your unit turned off until you have the go-ahead from an HVAC technician.
While you wait for your technician to arrive, review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if flood damage covers your outdoor AC system. If so, take photos of the damage and present your claim quickly. If you don’t have flood insurance, you may still be covered if the unit has suffered wind or hail damage.
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