Located on the East Coast, Jacksonville, FL, receives many tropical storms and hurricanes, making it essential for homeowners to understand how they can protect their homes and their HVAC systems. While most homeowners are often aware of how to handle a hurricane regarding foodstuff and other protective measures, most need to be made aware of what to do to protect their HVAC systems. McGowan’s Heating & Air Conditioning is Jacksonville’s leading and most trusted HVAC service, and today, we hope to provide you peace of mind and help you learn what to do after a hurricane with regard to your HVAC system.
Inspection After a Storm
After the hurricane, you need to check your AC to assess the extent of damage. All the damage may not be obvious, so keep this in mind. If you are not sure what to do after a hurricane, here are a few safety tips you can adopt when checking out your home’s HVAC equipment:
- Turn off the power before assessing your AC by switching off the circuit breaker if you have yet to do so before the storm.
- Check the outdoor unit for any damage like fallen branches or physical impact.
- If there was flooding, check the floor of the outdoor unit for standing water.
- Check for odors that may indicate water infiltrated the system.
- If you can access the indoor unit, visually check for water damage or electrical issues.
- Inspect the ductwork for any signs of damage.
- Check for any signs of a refrigerant leak near the unit.
- Gently clean debris around the unit or on the condenser coils
- Before turning on the power and your AC, allow excess moisture to evaporate to avoid electrical issues.
If the damage is significant or you need clarification on your equipment, contact a professional HVAC technician before attempting to turn on or reconnect your unit.
Common AC Repairs After a Hurricane
After a hurricane, most HVAC systems often sustain damage due to flood waters, power surges, or debris impact. Some common AC repairs you are likely to encounter after a hurricane include:
- Compressor damage: Debris carried by strong winds can damage the outdoor compressor unit. A damaged compressor may result in poor or no cooling.
- Flood damage: Flood waters may have entered the indoor or outdoor components of the AC system, causing damage. The water can damage electrical components, corrode metal parts, and cause mold growth.
- Refrigerant leaks: If the refrigerant lines have been damaged, the AC may develop refrigerant leaks. This affects the system’s cooling capacity.
- Damaged ductwork: Flying debris can damage parts of the ductwork, affecting the airflow and cooling efficiency.
- Thermostat issues: Power surges can also affect the thermostat, causing incorrect temperature readings and other malfunctions.
Other common AC repairs may also include fan motor repair, circuit breaker reset, air filter replacement, and electrical system repairs.
Knowing When It’s Time To Repair or Replace Your Unit
When deciding whether to repair or replace your unit after a storm, you will need the input of a certified HVAC technician from a reputable service provider such as McGowan’s Heating & Air Conditioning. Before determining if it is time to replace or repair, there are a few things the technician will need to do, such as:
- Clean the tubes of the HVAC unit to remove any blockages while also verifying the integrity of any insulation that hasn’t been damaged.
- Measuring airflow to ensure duct stability and eliminating any further damage or repairs
- Troubleshooting and replacement of broken sensors
These are only some of the maintenance steps our technician will undertake to make sure your system can run again or determine if it needs to be replaced.
McGowan’s Heating & Air Conditioning Is Here To Help After a Storm
Regardless of your HVAC system’s age, make, or model, McGowan’s Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to help you fix your HVAC system. Our services are customized to suit every customer’s needs. Our technicians are NATE-certified, and we’re BBB accredited. Contact us today if you have any concerns about flood damage after a hurricane or even for our maintenance service to see why our customers in Jacksonville, Florida, are so happy with our services!
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