There is not always a lot of rain in Woodlands, so you might wonder if rain can damage your HVAC unit that sits outside.
The shortest answer for that is no. Your system should not get any damage from the rain.
Yet, there are times when a significant rainstorm can cause issues with your unit, like:
- Lightning
- Storm debris
- Flooding
Below are some ways that storms and water can damage your HVAC system and what you can do to mitigate or prevent damage to your outdoor unit.If you want a professional opinion, then contact us today. We would be glad to look at your system and help you to find out if your unit has water damage. Schedule your service today.
Your Heat Pump or AC Will Not be Harmed By Rain
Just as mentioned above, normal to light rainfall should not cause damage to your system. Why? Well, all of the parts for your outdoor unit has been built to handle water and have been made using materials that are corrosion resistant such as:
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Plastic
Additionally, the significant parts of your unit, which includes all the electrical parts, will be sealed. That means that your system should be able to handle an average amount of rain and still work just fine.
However, even though outdoor units are considered rain-resistant, that does not always mean being flood or storm-resistant. Below are a few ways that a storm could damage your outdoor unit.
Potential Cause of Damage: Lightning
Lightning during a thunderstorm can create power surges that can completely ruin or damage your outdoor unit.
Even if you think that turning the unit off will protect you from power surges, you need to know that you are not disconnecting the unit from the primary circuit in your home, even if you shut it off.
If you want to protect your unit from being damaged, the best way is to install a surge protector. Surge protectors will protect your system from surges or spikes in voltage. Suppose there is a spike or surge in power. In that case, the surge protector will divert the extra voltage into your ground wire to prevent the system from getting damaged.
However, if you do not have a surge protector and the system gets damaged because of a power surge, you will need to talk to an HVAC technician immediately.
1. Potential Cause of Damage: Storm Debris
The storms in Woodlands typically have a lot of wind and all sorts of debris flying through the air and ending up into the outdoor unit.
Even when the debris is small, it can still damage internal parts of your unit’s heat pump or AC, such as the blower motor or fan.
If you want to reduce your chances of your unit getting damage from debris, then you should:
- Cover your compressor using a PVC-coated polyester mesh screen to keep debris from falling into your compressor.
- Ensure that you have no shrubs or trees within a 2-foot radius of the unit or directly over the unit.
If you notice debris around your outdoor unit or hear a clicking or banging noises coming from your unit, you will need to turn the system off and then contact an HVAC technician.
A technician will be able to look at your unit and remove any debris before it damages the heat pump or AC. If the damage has already happened, a technician can help you figure out what replacements or repairs are going to need to be made.
2. Potential Cause of Damage: Flooding
Even though rain should not cause damage your heat pump or AC, standing water or flooding can damage it.
A small amount of pooling water near the bottom of your unit should not hurt the system, but if the water reaches above 12 inches, it could damage the system’s internal components, such as the motor.
If you happen to notice that you have flooding that is over 12 inches of standing water under your unit or around your unit, you should:
- Turn the heat pump or AC off
- Try to remove as much of the standing water as possible
- Let your unit dry out
- Talk to an HVAC technician to come and look at your unit to ensure that nothing has been damaged before you turn your heat pump or AC back on.
It should be noted that if you have a heavy downpour that can cause flooding, do not cover your heat pump or AC unit with a tarp. Even if you feel that you are protecting your system, the tarp can trap moisture in the unit and cause the unit not to dry out properly.
If You are Worried About Your Outdoor Unit, Contact Expert Air in Woodlands, TX today!
Whether you are just wanting to check to see if your heat pump or AC is working correctly, or you have recently noticed damage or flooding, we would be glad to take a look at your unit. If you believe that your system has been damaged, then schedule a repair with us.
If your system has not been damaged, you do want to have peace of mind knowing that your unit is working correctly and then scheduling an AC check-up.
During these check-ups, one of our experienced HVAC technicians will look at your unit and ensure that each part is working right. They can also ensure that your unit has been set correctly if some heavy rains and winds end up at your home.
