How Severe Weather Can Affect Your Air Conditioner

When summer reaches its peak, your AC may work extra hard to keep your Fort Lauderdale home cool and comfortable. While plenty of summer days are warm and beautiful, most people are no stranger to dangerous weather. Stormy conditions, and even days with extreme heat and humidity, can impact your air conditioner’s performance, efficiency and the length of its working life. Discover the many ways weather can influence your air conditioner and how to protect it.

Impact of Weather on Your Air Conditioner

Performance

A variety of weather conditions can alter how well your air conditioning unit performs. On particularly hot days, the AC must work harder to achieve the set temperature. The larger workload could lead to an overloaded system, causing a breakdown.

Extreme humidity also poses a potentially tricky situation. While air conditioners are supposed to dehumidify the air as they cool it, excessive humidity can strain the system. This may result in decreased performance and a home that isn’t as comfortable.

Efficiency

Heat waves force your air conditioner to run much more than usual, resulting in a spike in energy bills. If a home’s HVAC system is not designed or set up properly, it may struggle to meet the cooling demand under these conditions.

Conversely, the condensing unit is in jeopardy if used in subfreezing conditions. Attempting to run the AC when the outdoor unit is covered in ice could damage the compressor, decreasing efficiency and possibly ruining your cooling system.

Weather-Induced Damage

Substantial rain, wind, hail or snow can harm a home’s outdoor AC unit. Debris from storms can obstruct airflow, decrease system efficiency or dent the metal. Should water flood the system, corrosion or short-circuiting may occur, shortening the lifetime of your air conditioning.

Protecting Your Air Conditioner from Severe Weather

The outdoor AC unit is susceptible to dangerous weather, but you can take preventive measures to safeguard it. Here’s how to protect your air conditioner from damaging incoming weather:

• Install your air conditioner in the shade: A shaded outdoor unit doesn’t have to run as vigorously, enhancing efficiency and extending the unit’s life span. If possible, place the AC on the north or east side of your home or in another spot that is shaded during the hot afternoon.
• Invest in an air conditioner cover: AC covers provide a protective shield. During the winter season or when severe weather is expected, consider covering your air conditioner to protect it from flying debris, falling ice and heavy snowfall. Just make sure you don’t attempt to operate the air conditioner while the outdoor unit is covered.
• Maintain your HVAC system regularly: Scheduled maintenance is a cost-effective measure to enhance your AC unit’s durability. After all, a tuned-up air conditioner is less likely to break under the stress of elevated temperatures or humidity. Regular cleaning, filter replacement and comprehensive inspections ensure your system continues to be in top-notch condition and is ready to face any weather.
• Install a surge protector: Power surges are a common byproduct of storms that can damage your AC unit’s electrical hardware. Installing a surge protector adds an extra form of defense. As an alternative, you can easily switch off your HVAC equipment during severe weather by flipping the circuit breaker.
• Secure and elevate your outdoor unit: Gusty winds can cause the outdoor AC unit to tip or move. Also, rising water can flood the internal elements. Ensure your outdoor unit is completely secured and raised on bricks or platforms designed to protect it from wind and water damage.
• Clear your yard of debris: Make sure to keep the space around your air conditioner clear of loose things that could become hazardous projectiles. This helps protect against denting and other physical damage from severe weather.

Checking on Your AC After a Storm

In the aftermath of severe weather, follow these steps to be sure your air conditioner is able to continue to function safety:

• Conduct a visual inspection: When the sky clears, go out and examine your unit. Search for issues such as dents, exposed wires or an off-kilter base.
• Clear debris: Remove any leaves, sticks and other debris to improve airflow and efficiency.
• Look for water damage: If your neighborhood sustained flooding, check for water damage. If you think water entered the unit, it’s always better not to turn it on until you have it professionally serviced.
• Schedule a prompt repair: In the case of storm damage, don’t delay air conditioning repair, or you risk higher energy costs, a reduced life span or total system disaster.

Contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

No one wants to deal with severe weather, but it’s essential to be prepared and know how to recover. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer post-storm inspections and repairs to ensure your air conditioner operates safely and efficiently. Our staff can handle all your AC service needs in Fort Lauderdale, including maintenance, repair and replacement. Don’t let severe weather impact your family’s comfort—contact a Service Experts office near you for more information or to schedule a visit today.