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It rains pretty regularly in New Haven, even in the summer. If your house has an air conditioner, you might wonder how the outside portion of your property’s cooling system works during rainy weather. Can rain damage AC outdoor units?
As an expert AC repair company in North Haven, NY, we at Complete Comfort Control Heating & AC Repair understand our customers’ concerns about possible AC unit water damage. We also know that taking some preventative measures against outdoor unit exposure to weather can cause more harm than good. Keep reading to learn the appropriate steps for protecting your air conditioner from rain.
Is There a Connection Between Rain and HVAC Systems in North Haven?
Since North Haven homeowners have to keep rain and moisture away from breaker boxes, appliances, and electronic devices, it’s reasonable to assume that air conditioner rain protection is necessary. The truth is that the wet weather’s impact on AC units isn’t as bad as you may think.
HVAC manufacturers know that air conditioners will have outdoor units that’ll be under constant exposure to the elements. That’s why they construct these units to withstand heavy rain, wind, and snow while protecting the air conditioners’ electrical components from moisture.
The same goes for window-based air conditioning systems. The portion that sticks out of the window won’t have problems handling the rain in North Haven. At most, you might have to deal with moisture seeping into your house if the window unit’s seal has cracks or an improper installation.
Possible Weather-Related Issues for North Haven Air Conditioners
The short answer to “Can rain damage AC outdoor units?” is no. Regular rain showers and thunderstorms don’t have any major impacts on this equipment and the electrical wiring and connections. Sometimes, rain can help wash out dirt, leaves, and other debris that wind blows into an air conditioner’s outdoor unit, so the water can be helpful.
The problem with moisture and outdoor air conditioner units comes from severe storms and floods. Intense storm winds can cause more debris to accumulate inside the unit that the rain can wash out. Flood waters exceeding 15 inches can also jeopardize your air conditioner’s internal components.
Should You Cover Your Air Conditioner's Outdoor Unit?
With these potential problems and concerns regarding water damage to your cooling system, you might wonder if air conditioner weatherproofing is necessary. You can weatherproof your air conditioner, yet your methods shouldn’t include completely covering your outdoor unit to shield it from rain.
The coatings, insulation, and construction of outdoor cooling units improve the equipment’s durability, longevity, and performance under harsh weather conditions. The interior and exterior components won’t break down easily.
Yet, if you cover the unit, you will restrict its airflow. The reduction in airflow will cause moisture to build up inside the equipment, which can promote damage. The covering can also encourage animals to use the air conditioner as a nest, which can lead to premature corrosion, electrical wiring damage, and reduced system performance.
Can You Prevent Outdoor Unit Damage During a Flood?
If you want to protect your North Haven property’s air conditioner from rain, flooding, and debris, you can install a leaf guard system around your gutters. Most outdoor cooling units are directly under gutters. Without the leaf guard, leaves, twigs, and other organic debris can fall from the gutters onto the unit and damage its interior parts.
To ensure maximum airflow, you should also trim trees, plants, and grass growing near the outdoor air conditioning unit. A two-foot clearance on all sides of the equipment is ideal. The space will improve airflow and minimize the risk of debris getting inside of it.
Finally, you can improve your yard’s drainage to prevent flooding. Small puddles are insignificant, but anything over 12 inches is concerning.
Turn to Complete Comfort Control Heating & AC Repair Today for Routine HVAC Servicing
Can rain damage AC outdoor units? Here at Complete Comfort Control Heating & AC Repair in North Haven, NY, we know that air conditioners can withstand heavy rain. Still, if your cooling system develops a problem like electrical damage or blower fan failure, you can count on our experienced HVAC technicians to rectify the problem promptly.
If you need to repair or replace your air conditioner, we can help. No air conditioner repair is too complicated for us to handle. We prioritize our customers’ satisfaction and safety — call today for a free consultation.