Dealing with frequent hurricanes is just part of life when you live in the Sarasota area. Even more minor hurricanes and tropical storms still have the potential to wreak havoc on your HVAC system. Here are some helpful steps to take after a storm hits to ensure your AC or heat pump is ready to safely start cooling your home again.
Inspect Outdoor HVAC Unit Before Turning the Power Back On
It’s recommended to turn the power to your HVAC off just before a hurricane is predicted to hit your area. Some buildings have a power shut-off on the wall outside just next to the outdoor HVAC unit. You can also switch off the circuit breaker that controls your HVAC system. After the storm has subsided and it’s safe to go outside, perform a quick visual inspection before you turn the power to your HVAC back on. If anything looks out of the ordinary, you should leave the power off until you can get a professional inspection performed by a certified HVAC technician. If you have already been running your unit through a backup generator, you want to follow the same series of steps before connecting the air conditioner to auxiliary power.
One important thing to check is that the outdoor unit hasn’t moved or shifted. If the unit even shifts slightly during a storm, there’s a chance the refrigerant lines will get damaged or come loose. In this case, you’ll need to have the unit repaired and recharged with refrigerant before you turn it back on.
The other thing to check is that the fan blades aren’t bent or damaged, which can easily end up happening if flying debris smashes into the unit. This is one reason why experts recommend that you install a hurricane cover or sheets of plywood before a hurricane hits. When checking the fan, it’s also a good idea to spin it by hand just to make sure it moves freely and evenly.
Make Sure Outdoor HVAC Unit Wasn’t Exposed to Water
If you were exposed to any flood waters, look at the extent of the water compared to the outdoor unit. If it looks like the water only came up to the base of the unit, it’s probably safe to turn it on as long as the water has receded. If you can see a mark on the unit indicating the water level was higher than a few inches, schedule a professional inspection before turning your HVAC on. In this case, some of the electrical components will likely need to be repaired. If the unit was flooded for more than a few hours, there could be corrosion. The worst-case scenario is that flooding can destroy the compressor. If this happens, you may need to replace the entire unit.
Replace the Air Filter and Monitor Your HVAC Performance
If everything looks okay and you’re sure your outdoor AC or heat pump didn’t get flooded, you’re usually fine to turn it on. However, you want to monitor the unit for a short while once it’s running just to make sure it doesn’t have any issues. You’ll also want to check inside to make sure your air conditioning is cooling properly. Before turning your HVAC on though, it’s a good idea to replace the air filter.
Schedule a Professional Inspection and Tune-Up
Even if everything seems to be normal, we’d still recommend having a professional technician check everything out. They can examine and clean the unit’s condenser coil, if necessary. If the coil is dirty, you’ll have issues with poor performance and decreased energy efficiency. A dirty condenser coil can also lead to the compressor overheating and getting damaged. If the compressor does get damaged, you’ll need to replace it or your entire unit since it’s not possible to repair a compressor.
Since 1946, AirNow Air Conditioning has been the top choice for cooling and heating in Sarasota. We offer expert repair and maintenance services, and you can count on us to ensure your HVAC is ready to go after a storm hits. We can work on all types, makes and models of HVAC equipment and have what it takes to expertly handle all of your air conditioning and heating needs. To schedule an inspection or any other service, contact our team today.
