During a hurricane, high winds and flooding can damage your air conditioner. After the raging elements, you may need to call an AC repair professional to fix your damaged system.
Here are a few signs that your air conditioner was damaged during the storm:
1. The air conditioner has stopped cooling the room;
2. The air conditioner is making an unusual noise;
3. Your electric bills have increased significantly.
If you notice one or more of the above signs, it means that the hurricane damaged your air conditioner, and you need the help of repair experts.
Below, we list the main causes of A/C breakdowns during hurricanes:
Debris in the system.
Due to strong hurricane winds, the condenser is clogged with debris, dust, and leaves. A clogged condenser coil makes it difficult for the air conditioner to operate because it prevents the airflow from moving freely. In this case, the air conditioner makes extraneous sounds. If the problem is not eliminated, there is a risk of overheating the whole system and breakage of expensive units.
Waterlogging.
Rising water levels often accompany hurricanes. Additional water can flood your air conditioner and electrical system. If this happens, you should contact an air conditioning repair specialist to determine if the electrical unit can be repaired or needs replacing.
Electrical power surge.
Loss of electricity can lead to severe problems with the air conditioner: the condenser fails, the fuse blows, the compressor is damaged, and wires burn out.
Mechanical damage.
Debris blown around by hurricane winds can damage aluminum condenser fins. Bent fins restrict airflow and reduce the air conditioner's efficiency. In addition, a hurricane can damage refrigerant lines, causing them to leak out of the system. This nuisance will increase your electric bill, reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner, and harm the environment.