Yuma has a dry climate, but we do occasionally have some high winds or thunderstorms. And while flooding is rare, if you live in a location where flood waters may sweep through, you want to be sure you’ve taken measures to protect your property — including the outdoor unit of your HVAC system — from flooding so that storms and HVAC don’t combine in a bad way.
Following is some helpful advice on storms and HVAC protection in the Yuma area.
- Raise your HVAC condenser. If you live in a low-lying area that is subject to flooding, you should raise your outdoor condenser so it doesn’t get swamped. Flood waters can damage the circuitry and also cause mold and bacteria growth. Flood water that persists for a long time can also cause corrosion and deterioration of the components. Talk to your HVAC tech about how best to raise the unit and how to make sure it is level.
- Protect your outdoor unit from strong winds. Strong winds can sometimes damage condensers by blowing debris or limbs onto them and damaging the unit or by blowing sand and/or dirt into it. While you should never cover up the condenser while it’s running, you might need to look into relocating it to a more protected place if dirt, sand, or debris is blowing on or into it. Also, remove any overhanging limbs or other vegetation that could be blown onto the unit.Strong winds can also cause the mounts securing the condenser to the base to be damaged and the mounts to unfasten. Be sure to use hurricane tie-down straps with high wind resistance to tie down the unit.
- Monitor the fall of cottonwood fibers in strong winds. If you have trees that shed fibers, such as cottonwoods, monitor the condenser unit and periodically get it cleaned free of cottonwood fiber. Also, talk to your HVAC pro about cottonwood screens. He may recommend them to avoid a problem when storms and HVAC collide.
Furthermore, always turn off your AC during electrical storms so that it isn’t damaged if there’s a power surge.
For more on storms and HVAC, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company., serving Yuma and the surrounding area.
