Air conditioners are constructed to resist weather, including rain and snow. However, if your outdoor air conditioner is flooded with standing water from a large downpour, this may severely damage the electrical components within. 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 Rob's Albertan Service Experts at 780-800-9047 for an air conditioning inspection.
If bad flooding has taken place or is likely to take place, follow these steps to avoid hurting your HVAC system or generating dangerous operating conditions.
Before Flooding
Don’t cover your air conditioner with a heavy cloth. A plastic sheet won’t protect it from water. Instead, it will bring moisture inside, lead to rust, hasten mold growth and give pests a place to hide.
If you live in a flood-prone area, think about moving your air conditioner on a high platform. This elevates the unit above any floodwaters and can save you hassle and expense after the next downpour.
Another approach to care for your air conditioning system is to create a retaining wall around it. This technique can stop air conditioner flooding, even as water flows around it. Similarly, you can place sandbags around the unit when you are alerted a storm is on the way.
If hail is predicted, you can secure sections 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 picks up.
During Flooding
Don’t use your system while it’s flooded with water. Doing so can lead to an electrical shock hazard or possibly destroy the internal system components.
To prevent these problems, disconnect the power to the AC and thermostat. The quickest method for accomplishing this is to locate the HVAC and thermostat breakers in your junction box and turn them to the “off” position. If you need assistance, get in touch with an air conditioning service company like Rob's Albertan Service Experts.
After Flooding
Once the rain subsides, you want your AC to dry out quickly. Remove standing water, if possible, and pick up any debris from the surrounding area.
Don’t start the system until it has been inspected by an HVAC professional. Even after it has dried out, operating flood-damaged equipment could pose the same hazards as using the air conditioning while it’s still submerged in water. Some problems require days or weeks to begin revealing symptoms, so it’s ideal to keep your unit turned off until you receive the all-clear from an HVAC professional.
While you wait for your appointment, read through your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if flood damage covers your outdoor cooling system. If so, take stock of the damage and submit your claim right away. If you don’t have flood insurance, you could still be covered if the unit has experienced wind or hail damage.
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