Most HVAC systems consist of two parts, one that’s inside your home and the other outside your home. Water is known as the universal solvent, so the question comes up occasionally as to whether or not rainwater is bad for the outdoor unit.
It’s a good question. Most people understand and make efforts to take care of equipment and other tools which means not leaving them out in the rain. Fortunately, the outside air conditioning unit was designed to be weatherproof and won’t, under normal circumstances, be damaged by rain.
The Effects of Rain on Your Air Conditioner
Rainwater can, in fact, actually be good for the unit during moderate or light storms. The water can rinse off any accumulated dust or pollen in the coils as it flushes through the unit. Keeping the unit clean is an important part of an overall maintenance program as the system can’t work properly if it becomes clogged and can be forced to work harder than intended if it even becomes partially clogged.
There’s also the basic fact that rain tends to cool the overall temperature, which is helpful; you might not need to use the air conditioner as much on a rainy day. So typical rainfall is beneficial to the unit and helps it stay in good working condition.
The Effects of Storms and Severe Weather
For obvious reasons, heavy storms aren’t always as good for the unit as light rain. If debris or a falling limb hit the air conditioner, it could do considerable physical damage. Tornadoes and thunderstorms are a part of living in West Alabama, but the likelihood of such storms causing damage is still not at a level to be overly concerned about. If you happen to have actual physical damage to your home’s outside system, call Legacy Heating and Cooling for an assessment. It’s probably also a good idea to call your home owner’s insurance agent.
Contact Legacy Heating and Cooling
If a storm does come through and damage your system in or around the West Alabama area, contact us at Legacy Heating and Cooling to speak with a representative about having a technician make any needed repairs. You may email us at [email protected] or call us at 205-826-5169.
