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Signs of HVAC damage after a storm

Last Updated on July 11, 2022 by Aqsa Rana

When there’s a major storm that passes through the area, there are many different parts of your property that can suffer from damage.

Although you may be worried about your roof or the siding on your home, the HVAC system can also become damaged due to high winds and heavy rain. As a homeowner, it’s important to know the signs of HVAC damage to ensure you can hire a professional to perform the necessary repairs.

The Unit is Dead

You may notice that your HVAC unit has failed to turn on and operate. Consider the different causes before you assume it needs to be replaced. It’s also important that your house has power.

In some cases, a dead HVAC system can be due to a damaged contactor or capacitor. Other times, the compressor or fan motor may have suffered from damage, making it necessary to hire a professional technician to inspect the parts to determine what repairs are needed.

Excess Water

You may notice a lot of water at the base of your HVAC unit, which can occur when flooding is present. If stagnant water is present, there is damage to your HVAC system. Therefore, it’s important to immediately shut off the power to the breaker to reduce the risk of damage to the electrical components that are in place.

A Lack of Cool Air

In a storm damaged AC unit, one of the most common signs is if it fails to deliver cool air in different rooms of your home. Put your fingers close to the vents to determine if warm or cool air is being released.

Repairs may be needed if the home feels a lot warmer and more humid than normal. A refrigerant leak may be present, which needs immediate attention because it can become more severe over time and also cause a lack of efficiency with the unit as it operates. If the leak is larger, it’s common to hear loud sounds at times.

Large Pieces of Debris

Perform a visual inspection of your HVAC system to determine if any pieces of debris have had contact with the parts. You may notice tree branches or grass that are stuck, which indicates there may be damage to the fan motor, contractor, blades, or compressor.

There may also be physical signs of damage that include a displaced condenser unit, disconnected wiring, damaged coils, and a missing cover. There may also be mud stuck inside the parts, making it difficult for the unit to operate smoothly.

A professional technician will have the right tools and experience to clean the components and replace any parts on your storm-damaged AC unit. In the future, shutting off the unit can reduce the risk of damage that occurs, according to kvue.com.

Your Circuit Breaker Frequently Trips

There may not be any signs that your HVAC system is damaged, but the circuit breaker can start to trip frequently. This is typically due to too much current but can also occur if your power supply line becomes damaged, which causes a fault in the circuit to develop.

In most cases, the compressor is damaged in the storm, which causes there to be an increase in the electrical draw. Some of the smaller components connected to the compressor may also need to be repaired or replaced.

Burning Odors

If the coating on the wires in your HVAC system melts due to a short circuit, you may start to notice an unusual burning smell. Immediately turn it off and reach out to a professional to avoid putting your safety at risk.

Strange Sounds

Your HVAC system is designed to operate silently, which means damage has occurred if the unit is making buzzing noises when it’s in use. This may be due to debris that is stuck within the parts or fan blades that have become out of balance. Turn the HVAC system off before investigating the problem.

Knowing what to look for on your HVAC unit after a storm passes can make it easier to determine if repairs are needed. Once you reach out to a technician, it can restore the unit’s operation and the comfort in the building.

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