Lightning Strikes and Your AC Condenser
This summer we’ve seen extreme amounts of rainfall and high levels of humidity that have produced the perfect conditions for lightning and thunderstorms. Not many homeowners think about their air conditioners during turbulent weather, but your HVAC system is a valuable investment and one that should be protected. That’s why we’ve outlined a few tips on how to protect your AC unit from lightning strikes and what to do if it’s been damaged.
Turn Your Air Conditioner Off During Storms
A direct lightning strike can seriously damage your condenser, but they’re extremely rare. More often, a power surge following a lightning strike can cause the greatest harm to your AC condenser. The best way to protect your air conditioner from power surges is to simply shut it off at the thermostat during really bad storms.
Inspect Your Unit After Storms
After a storm, make sure to inspect your unit. Wait a minimum of thirty minutes after the weather’s cleared to turn on your unit. Next, head outside to ensure that no debris damaged the condenser or is restricting its airflow. Then you can turn your air conditioner on and resume normal operation. If it won’t turn on, check the indoor and outdoor breakers to see if they’ve been tripped.
If your air conditioner doesn’t turn on after clearing debris and checking the breakers, you should call for professional AC service.
Schedule Professional Inspection After a Lightning Strike
If you know your condenser suffered a direct lightning strike, or it won’t turn on after a storm, you’ll want to schedule a professional inspection. Sometimes an AC compressor may not show immediate signs of damage after a lightning strike, but will slowly decrease in performance. An inspection early on could help prevent costly repair bills later.
If you need more information on protecting your AC unit, such as the proper procedure for shutting it off or restarting it, contact A1 Air Conditioning & Heating and a member of our friendly staff will be glad to assist you!
A1 is proud to offer all our customers our commitment to high-quality service and care. We put your needs first to ensure your ultimate home comfort!
