Air conditioners are built to resist weather, like rain and snow. However, if your outdoor air conditioner is flooded with standing water from a long downpour, this may seriously damage the electrical components within. Your cooling is most likely to get damaged if the floodwater exceeds a foot deep. Still, if the system has flooded at all, contact Epperson Service Experts at 843-619-3781 for an air conditioning inspection.
If bad flooding has taken place or is likely to take place, follow these steps to avoid hurting your air conditioning 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, hasten mold growth and give animals a place to hide.
If you reside in a flood-prone spot, consider installing your air conditioner on an elevated platform. This elevates the system above any floodwaters and can save you stress and expense when you have to deal with the next downpour.
Another way to protect your air conditioning equipment is to place a retaining wall around it. This technique can prevent air conditioner flooding, even as water flows around it. Similarly, you can pile sandbags around the unit when you know a storm is coming.
If hail is in the forecast, you can place pieces of plywood across the top of the air conditioner to protect it from hail damage. Weigh the plywood down firmly with stones or bricks in case the wind gets stronger.
During Flooding
Don’t run your air conditioner while it’s submerged in water. Doing so may create an electrical shock hazard or potentially destroy the internal system components.
To skip these problems, turn off the power to the air conditioner and thermostat. The fastest method for completing this is to locate the HVAC and thermostat breakers in your junction box and turn them to the “off” position. If you need help, contact an air conditioning service company like Epperson Service Experts.
After Flooding
Once the rain eases off, you want your air conditioner to dry out as soon as possible. Siphon off standing water, if possible, and clean any debris from the nearby area.
Don’t run the system until it has been reviewed by an HVAC professional. Even after it has dried out, running flood-damaged equipment can present the same hazards as using the air conditioning while it’s still underwater. Some issues require days or weeks to begin revealing symptoms, so it’s ideal to keep your unit turned off until you get the okay from an HVAC pro.
While you wait for your technician to arrive, check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if flood damage secures your outdoor air conditioning system. If so, take stock of the damage and process your claim as soon as possible. If you don’t have flood insurance, you might still be covered if the system has experienced wind or hail damage.
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