HVAC Contributor
While most contemporary air conditioners can resist severe weather, a powerful storm can completely destroy the equipment. After a storm, some damage indicators on your system may be easy to spot, while others may be more challenging. This implies that harm to your AC may occur even while you are not aware of it. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a professional inspect your unit as soon as possible after a storm. If a specialist identifies concerns in a timely manner, he can resolve them, saving you money on future expensive repairs or replacements. Minor concerns, however, could become major problems if left unattended, reducing the lifespan of your AC.
1. Electrical Burning Odor
Blackouts and power surges brought on by storms can harm the essential parts of an air conditioner. Even if your AC doesn’t appear to be damaged, it should be checked if nearby lightning strikes or power surges harm other electrical equipment. Be aware that the AC has wires, fans, and compressors that are electrically powered. The coating on the wires may melt as a result of a short circuit, emitting a burning plastic odor. You should turn off your air conditioner and contact a technician as soon as you notice such a scent coming from it. Be aware that this problem could cause a fire to start, endangering your family’s safety and the safety of your property.
2. Unusual Noises
Most contemporary air conditioners run quite quietly. After a storm, if your air conditioner starts making odd noises, there is an issue with the system. Strong gusts may blow debris into the outdoor unit, which causes the fans to buzz as they travel around the obstructions. Your system may be subjected to additional stress, increasing the likelihood of wear and making it more prone to malfunction when least expected. Open any user-maintenance-only devices you may have and clean the dust out. But if you haven’t done something similar before, get help from an expert.
When a fan makes a clanking noise, the blades are out of balance and are colliding with one another. A slamming noise, on the other hand, denotes damaged or fractured components, such as the crankshaft or piston pin. A refrigerant leak is present if the air conditioner makes a shrill noise. In order to fix the problem, you should turn the device off right away. The environment and your health may suffer if you are exposed to the refrigerant for an extended period of time. A damaged belt or defective motor bearings could potentially be the cause of screeching noises. If your unit makes a gurgling sound, there may be too much moisture inside the air conditioner. The system may malfunction if such problems are not addressed right away.
3. Decreased Cooling Effectiveness
After a storm, if you observe poor airflow from your unit, you may have a compressor issue. Have a professional inspect the compressor because it is a crucial component of the AC. If the compressor becomes damaged, you may need to replace it or purchase a brand-new appliance. The refrigerant lines may become damaged during a storm and begin to leak as a result. Your air conditioner starts to circulate warm air because the refrigerant may not completely remove the heat from the indoor air at low levels. To repair the leaks and recharge the refrigerant to get your machine working again, call a professional.
Airflow may be hampered by obstructions on the outdoor unit, which causes the hot air to become trapped inside the system. It occasionally makes its way back into the house. Therefore, it is imperative that you inspect and clean the outdoor unit following the storm. Your energy bills could go up if your cooling system is less efficient, so get a technician to fix it right away.
4. After The Storm, The AC Is Unable To Start
Even after the electricity has been restored after a storm, your air conditioner could occasionally fail to switch on. You only need to reset the breaker when it trips during a power surge to preserve your air conditioner. Turn off the AC first using the thermostat. Next, check the basement, garage, laundry room, or other outside areas of the house for the circuit breaker box. A switch marked “air conditioner” or “HVAC” should be found. If you still can’t find it, check the owner’s handbook or reach for the button while it’s in the neutral position. Once you’ve located it, turn on the switch, give the AC time to restart, and then set the thermostat to cool. After turning on the appliance, if the breaker keeps tripping, there is an electrical system problem that requires quick care.
Seek quick professional assistance if, upon restarting the vehicle, the air conditioner still won’t turn on. This could indicate an underlying issue.
5. Pooling Water Near The Outdoor Unit
Despite being water-resistant, the outdoor AC unit can still be harmed by strong storms, especially if it is immersed. Switch the AC off to prevent electrocution because it has certain electrical components. Fix the drainage problem as soon as you can. Turn off the system and wash the condenser with clean water if the water reached around 10 inches above the AC. Call a professional to inspect the AC, though, if the water level rose higher than this. The parts will be cleaned and dried. The fan motor and contractor may need to be replaced. Even though the device might still work after submerging in water, if left unattended, it will progressively stop working.
6. Physical Injury
Examine your unit for visible signs of damage following a storm. You might spot unconnected wiring, a misplaced condenser, a cover that’s gone missing, or broken coils. Sometimes muck may even enter the system and obstruct ventilation. To evaluate the degree of the damage, have experts examine the AC. They will assist in sanitizing the appliance, adding any missing or errant components, and relocating the condenser.
After A Storm, You Might Need Air Conditioner Inspection And Repair Services
It’s crucial to inspect your cooling system after a storm to make sure it’s in functioning order. As previously mentioned, storms can seriously harm your unit, but you can prevent this by having the system checked. Depending on the severity of the damage, HVAC professionals could advise you to make certain changes to stop similar problems from recurring. To absorb extra electricity, a surge protector must be installed. Additionally, tie-down straps can be used to hold the condenser unit firmly in place and shield it from wind damage. To prevent material buildup in the outdoor unit, trim and remove any plants, trees, or vegetation that are close to the air conditioner.
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