It’s rainy season in Dayton, and the showers are really coming down. Meanwhile, your AC unit sits outdoors, unprotected against the weather. Should you be worried? Are there steps you can take to keep it safe? Let’s look at how the rain affects your HVAC system in different ways and what to do about it.
When You Shouldn’t Worry
As an outdoor appliance, your AC is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions such as rain, snow, and even hail. The components are made of copper and aluminum, along with other materials that won’t rust or corrode. Even heavy rainfall generally won’t cause problems for your system.
In fact, rain can be good for your AC. Over time, dirt, leaves, and other debris build up in the condenser coil, causing the system to operate less efficiently. In fact, if there’s too much debris, the system can freeze and stop working entirely.
A good rainfall washes away that debris, clearing it out of the condenser so it can work at peak efficiency again. When it’s not the rainy season, you should periodically wash the condenser coil off with a hose, to keep the debris from building up.
When You Should Worry
Heavy rain affecting your HVAC system isn’t a problem, but flooding can be. If the condenser is submerged in water, it can damage the system. Hurricanes can harm your AC as well.
If heavy flooding is in the weather forecast, shut your HVAC system off at the breaker. If your AC ends up submerged, call your HVAC technician to make sure everything is safe and in working order before turning it on again.
Some people like to cover their outdoor AC unit with a tarp to protect it from the rain. Not only is this not necessary, it’s inadvisable. Moisture can get trapped underneath the covering, keeping it from evaporating, as it would without the cover. That moisture can then build up over time and cause problems.
For more help with rain affecting your HVAC system, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services. Dayton’s home-comfort needs are our top priority.
