There are many misconceptions about air conditioning and heavy rain, such as the belief that rain alone doesn’t damage an AC unit; however, issues can persist due to heavy rain. Both rain and humidity can affect AC systems and cause problems, which is why it’s important to diagnose issues early to prevent long-term damage and ensure your air conditioning is back up to full efficiency. At All Year Cooling and Plumbing, we have expertise in post-storm HVAC issues, but we are going to go over important information you need to know about heavy rain and your HVAC to keep you prepared before you call us.
How Does Your AC Work in Wet Conditions?
Your air conditioning unit is exposed to a variety of conditions as it sits outside your home, which means it needs to handle rain, humidity, and even snow in some climates. Every part of your air conditioning relies solely on a consistent electrical supply and stable refrigerant pressure to operate efficiently. Storms, however, often disrupt these exact needs, making it common to experience HVAC issues post-storm. Outdoor condensers are built with corrosion-resistant materials and electrical components that are sealed to prevent water exposure during normal rain; however, during heavy rain or flooding, water can pool around the base, leading to issues. Airflow, heat exchange, and outdoor coil efficiency all play a role in your HVAC’s performance, but they also all have the potential to be affected negatively after heavy rainfall.
Common Reasons Your AC Struggles After Heavy Rainfall
When it comes to understanding your HVAC system and how it operates, it’s important to note that certain areas of the system can be affected by heavy rain. We’re going to look at a few common reasons that your AC unit may struggle after heavy rainfall, then we will educate you on how to diagnose an issue and when to call for professional help.
Water Pooling Around the Unit
One of the most common issues we see with HVAC units after heavy rainfall is the water pooling around the bottom of the unit. Although your AC unit is built to withstand rainfall, water pooling around its base can cause issues. Soil erosion can be a serious problem if it causes the unit to tilt or shift, as it can throw off the internal workings and prevent the unit from running properly. There is also a significant risk of corrosion and short-circuiting if your unit is sitting in water that’s pooled around its base, which can impair its performance.
Debris and Blockage
With storms come heavy rainfall and usually wind, which can cause debris to flow through the air and get trapped inside the unit on the condenser coils. Debris such as leaves, branches, and dirt can also block the fan or restrict heat dissipation, causing your unit to run less efficiently.
Extra Humidity
Rainfall can raise humidity that your unit can’t keep up with, making it seem like your AC isn’t working properly or cooling your home efficiently, when it is. When humidity rises outside your home, it also rises inside, and HVAC units must remove both heat and moisture. This is why it may feel hotter in your home due to the increased humidity and your HVAC unit not being able to keep up.
Electrical Issues and Surges
If moisture gets into areas of your HVAC unit that it shouldn’t due to heavy rainfall, it can cause a multitude of issues, including storm-related outages that can damage contactors, control boards, or capacitors. If the breaker’s outlet contacts moisture, it can cause the breaker to trip and your unit to stop working properly. On top of this, subtle electrical issues can allow the unit to run, but it will not cool effectively.
Refrigerant Pressure Changes
The refrigerant in your unit must remain balanced to ensure effective cooling for your home, but heavy rainfall and temperature drops can affect refrigerant pressure and cause cooling inefficiency.
Diagnosing HVAC Issues as a Homeowner
As a homeowner, it’s crucial to know what you’re looking for when it comes to HVAC problems so you can properly relay it to a professional. It’s important to remember that not every scenario is safe for you to handle as a homeowner when diagnosing an issue, but being better prepared with the issues before calling a professional can ensure they are prepared for the issue at hand. Here are a few safe and actionable steps you can take if you find that your HVAC isn’t performing effectively following heavy rainfall.
- Look out for visible standing water around the base of your outdoor HVAC unit
- Inspect the unit for visible blockages of leaves, dirt, or sticks
- Ensure that the air filter is clean and dry
- Listen out for any abnormal noises such as buzzing, clanking, or humming
- Verify breakers and disconnect switches in case of electrical problems
These steps should be done with caution, but they will help you assess the situation and possibly identify the root cause of your HVAC performance issues. Following this diagnosis, you should call a professional to inspect your unit and get it up and running at full capacity, while also determining whether there are any other underlying problems. You will always call a professional; however, the urgency depends on the issues at hand. Here is a list of issues that require immediate expert repair and should be reported to a professional as soon as possible to avoid long-term damage to your unit.
- Flooding that’s above the condenser’s base or reaching the electrical components of the unit
- Electrical problems, which include a burnt smell, an unresponsive system, or repeated breaker trips
- Frozen coils, abnormal refrigerant pressures, and reduced airflow
- Non-cooling after 1 to 2 hours post-storm
Heavy Rainfall and HVAC Unit Problems: Contacting a Professional
At All Year Cooling and Plumbing, we have performed a variety of services following heavy rainfall and storms, so we can assure you that any issue you are experiencing will be addressed. As a homeowner, it is stressful to have inefficiencies, especially in your HVAC unit, but we are here to support you with our skilled team of professionals. If you are experiencing any issues with your HVAC following heavy rainfall, start with our homeowner’s diagnostic list and follow up with a call to us to prevent any long-term damage to your unit. With Florida’s intense climate, it’s crucial to stay on top of your HVAC maintenance, and with All Year Cooling and Plumbing at your disposal, we are here to keep your HVAC maintained and working as efficiently as possible.