It’s easy to take your outdoor AC unit for granted. After all, you never really have to look at it, and as long as it continues to produce that cool, comforting air when you need. But when you think about it, your air conditioner spends its entire life out in the elements, so are you wondering how rain can affect your HVAC unit? Keep reading to learn the facts, risks and more.
Don’t Worry, It’s Built For All Weather
Every quality air conditioner is built to withstand inclement weather, but that doesn’t mean they can handle everything. Normal precipitation should never pose a threat to your outdoor unit, but there are some weather conditions that can cause damage.
About Your Outdoor Unit
Since the outdoor unit is supposed to go outside, it only makes sense that it is built to withstand normal weather patterns during the year. It consists of the condenser and compressor that are built with metal that resists corrosion. Any internal connections and wiring are sealed to protect against dust, rain, snow and anything else that may cause trouble. The evaporator coil is also housed in the outdoor part of your air conditioning system.
Risks of Extreme Weather
When the weather goes from normal to extreme, that’s when you can encounter trouble. Everyone is going to get some rain on their air conditioner, but there are times when severe storms can cause widespread damage to homes, including your AC system.
Some of the things that could put your outdoor AC at risk include:
- Lightning strikes resulting in a power surge
- Hail, sleet and strong winds
- Flooding
- Heavy snow
Keeping Your Unit Protected
It’s not possible to protect against every act of nature, but there are steps you can take to keep the likelihood of damage to a minimum. Having regular maintenance performed on your AC system will allow you to keep it in good running condition, and fix any smaller issues before they have a chance to get bigger. It’s also a good idea to keep your unit elevated to reduce the risk of flooding, install hail guards to protect against flying debris during wind storms and use a quality cover for the off-season.
What If My Unit Gets Damaged?
If you do end up with damage despite your best efforts, call for professional service to ensure your AC is running safely and it will continue to provide you with the comfort you need. If you notice reduced performance after a storm or if there is visible damage to the unit itself, call for professional help before it gets worse.
April showers are upon us, which means your outdoor unit is weathering the storm. Keeping your outdoor HVAC unit in tiptop shape is possible when you rely on the experts at D&B ClimateCare.
