While modern, energy-efficient air conditioners are designed to resist harsh weather conditions, they’re not completely impervious to storm-related damage. It’s important to know the warning signs that indicate your unit has been damaged by a storm in order to avoid unexpected system failure.
In this post, McLay Services, Inc. — a premier provider of HVAC and outdoor tankless water heater solutions — shares telltale signs that your HVAC unit has sustained storm damage.
- It’s not powering back on. If the electricity in your area turns back on after a blackout during a storm and your air conditioning system isn’t powering back on, it may have suffered damage from a power surge. Usually, the circuit breaker will protect your appliances from further problems, like the wiring catching fire, so all you’ll need to do is reset it. If it still doesn’t start up, call a technician to resolve the issue. It’s also a good idea to install a surge protector to prevent this particular scenario from happening again.
- There’s water pooling around the outdoor unit. Your air conditioner’s outdoor unit, called the condenser, shouldn’t be submerged in floodwater for an extended period of time. If you see water pooling around the unit, turn it off at the circuit breaker to prevent damage to its electrical components and moving parts. You should also address the drainage issue quickly since it can cause damage to the foundation of your home, according to an expert plumber.
- It’s making loud, weird-sounding noises. During a storm, powerful winds can shove debris like stones or branches into the outdoor unit. As a result, you may hear buzzing, rattling or screeching noises when the fans are running. There’s only one way to sort out this particular problem, and that’s to open the unit and clean it out. If your air conditioner isn’t designed for user maintenance, let a professional take care of this for you.
You can count on McLay Services, Inc. for high-quality heating, air conditioning and plumbing solutions, from repairing storm-damaged units to installing tankless water heaters. Call us today at (909) 392-2202 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve areas in and around La Verne, CA.
