How Does Heavy Rain Affect your Air Conditioner? 10/31/2017 People welcome drizzles of rain with joy, but some of us have actually had worries if rain can cause damages to our lives. The air conditioning units is one structure that stands out in the open, so it is natural that we get a little concerned about the effect of rain on it. Let’s see what rain does to your air conditioner and find out if it really damages it! Some ways rain could damage your Air Conditioner

• Storm Damage: Rains with strong winds are trouble makers – they carry huge amounts of dirt and debris. Things like branches, dried leaves and waste papers can get lodged inside your unit and obstruct its performance. If you have just been hit by a storm, it is recommended to check your unit and clear it off any debris before using it.
• Lightening: The effect of rain on Air Conditioners is sparse, but its friends can turn deadly sometimes. Lightening is one such factor. It is highly unlikely that lightening will strike your house, but if it does, the power surge can cause tremendous damage to all your electronics. If you happen to live in a lightening prone area, try installing a whole house power surge protector to guard your AC.
• Flooding: Since AC units are mounted up in the high areas, flooding during rains is usually rare. If in any circumstance your condenser unit gets submerged in water, you should contact your repair man right away. Do not switch it on without proper servicing.
• Moisture: Many owners try to protect their outdoor units from the rain by covering them up. This can cause lots of problems. Moisture from the rain can get trapped inside the unit, causing the wires to rot and the metal parts to rust. If the unit is covered tightly with no room for air circulation, the process of corrosion will speed up, resulting in leaking of the coolant gas. Also, little vermin like lizards and squirrels will love your condenser with the shelter and make it their home, cutting off the wires to their convenience. If you wish to cover your unit, only use custom designed covers recommended by the manufacturer, as they have strategically placed holes to aid ventilation.
• Ice Rain: Your condenser is a great piece of engineering that has been designed to laugh at most weather changes, but it might need to be covered when there is ice rain. If your unit is exposed directly to the sky, it might take hits. Place a strong piece of plywood larger than the unit, on top of it to safeguard your AC.

Thus we can see that there are just a few effects of rain on air conditioners. Air conditioners are pretty solidly designed, crafted to withstand majority of problems. This article can help you know the effect of rain on air conditioners, so you can take preventive measures and keep your AC safe!

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