Protecting your HVAC system against water damage
With the summer season fast approaching, rainstorms tend to increase.
It seems like we get a shower every afternoon at the very least, or a strong downpour sometimes.
While flooding and damage to infrastructure is a concern when it comes to excessive rain, excessive rain can also negatively impact your air conditioning system. The primary component of your air conditioning system that is exposed to excessive rainfall is of course the outdoor part of the system. When heavy rain occurs sensitive electrical components can get wet and cause serious problems and damage. This can lead to electrical shorts, corrosion, and the damaging of vital HVAC parts. This is particularly a problem if your yard has poor drainage. Flooding can also cause problems with the condensate drainage system, backing up the system and potentially causing water damage and the potential for mold growth. A large amount of rainfall can also cause humidity levels to increase significantly inside of your home. This encourages the growth of mold and mildew and will poorly affect the indoor air quality of your home. While it is true that you cannot control the weather, there are steps you can take to make sure that the impact of excessive rainfall is mitigated. The most important thing to do is to schedule regular maintenance to identify any potential problems before they escalate. As mentioned earlier, you should find a way to be able to drain excess water away from your outdoor unit and you should regularly clean these drainage channels to prevent blocking. You can also erect structures to protect the outdoor unit or use covers such as tarp. Finally, when it comes to excess humidity you may need to use a dehumidifier for certain parts of the year.