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How to check your HVAC for damage after a hurricane

How To Check Your HVAC For Damage After A Hurricane

By using some simple signs like abnormal noises, poor cooling or air quality and dents on the exterior unit anyone can identify HVAC damage after a hurricane. Strong winds, rain and thunder or hail can make hurricanes incredibly dangerous for homes. Especially if larger debris gets caught up in the wind. While many HVAC systems are built to withstand harsh weather, tropical storms and hurricanes can do a number on your exterior units. This is especially true if they are in a location that is susceptible to standing water. 

Why You Should Check Your Hvac System For Damage After A Hurricane

The short answer is that in order to prevent further damage to your HVAC system you should always check it for damage after a storm. While firing it up and seeing if it works sounds like the easiest way, smaller signs and details that are less noticeable may determine more serious issues that could lead to a fault in the system down the line and even more damage may occur. That also means more money spent on maintenance or perhaps even buying a new system altogether! 

Signs That Your HVAC System Incurred Hurricane Damage 

We compiled this list of things that you can inspect in order to determine when calling a professional is the best move. Any combination of these indicators may be cause for a more serious inspection!

Abnormal Noises

In case you weren’t aware, HVAC systems are usually quiet during operation. This is because it is a cycled system with no obstruction. However those heavy winds from a hurricane can easily dislodge parts or knock the unit around enough to obscure that system. This typically leads to loud rattling, screeching or buzzing noises from the exterior unit. 

Protip: Ignoring these noises can lead to physical harm to the components that were knocked loose and rather than a simple repair you would then need full replacement parts. 

This is easily identifiable but requires an expert to assess and fix the issue. 

The System Doesn’t Turn On 

This is another fairly obvious signal, but it can be an indication of a more serious issue. Hurricanes cause spikes in the electrical grid that can cause issues within your HVAC system. This almost always leads to extreme wear and tear on the internal components. Thankfully your circuit breaker should be switched off during surges, saving the system from internal damage, but sometimes the circuit breakers on your home can fail as well. 

Protip: Turning off your HVAC system before a storm can help prevent this! 

As an additional point to this, you can check your breaker box to see if the line was tripped and manually flip it back on. If it keeps flipping off, or your system won’t turn on even if it is flipped then the problem is likely more severe and you will need a professional assessment of the damage. 

The System Doesn’t Cool Or Heat

During storms the condenser coil in your unit can become clogged or covered with mud from the rain water. There may also be a leak in the refrigerant lines. Checking for these specific issues is not recommended, so if you notice the system cannot maintain a temperature then be sure to call a specialist. 

Poor Air Quality

Did you know that your HVAC system provides improvements to your home’s air quality as well? By filtering out dirt, removing debris that may cause odors and lowering humidity, your HVAC system impacts the air you breathe quite a bit. Conversely, if you notice an excess of dust in your home or strange, musty smells then it can indicate an underlying issue caused by the hurricane. 

Standing Water Near The Outside Unit

When you notice pooling, or flooding, of the system’s outdoor unit it is the telltale indication of damage to its condenser. While the outside unit is water-resistant, it simply cannot operate if it is even partially submerged in water for extended periods. If you notice water collecting around the condenser unit immediately turn off the breaker for the unit to remove the danger of electrical shock. Then, identify and resolve the issue of standing water. This may require seeking outside help, especially if your block was impacted by the hurricane. 

Physical Damage

Hurricanes usually bring debris with them and that means that several things along the outside of your HVAC system could have taken a hit. Specifically, electrical wires can become disconnected, your condenser could have been knocked loose or the coils on it may have dents or other signs of damage. Also, if there is mud on the outside of the unit that could mean that water has seeped into it as well. 

Key Takeaways of How To Check Your HVAC For Damage After A Hurricane

Checking your HVAC system for damage after a hurricane can help reduce the likelihood of further damage and ultimately save you time and money. Whether you notice the system isn’t turning on, it’s air quality is bad, it can’t cool your home or there are obvious signs of water pooling and physical damage, calling a professional to identify the issues and resolve them is always the safest and most cost-effective approach.