Is it OK to run your air conditioner throughout a thunderstorm?

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The recent, humid summer season situations that make you wish to crank the air conditioner additionally create the perfect situations for thunderstorms. Working your air conditioner throughout a thunderstorm can result in some harm to your unit, however the likelihood is slim.

If you wish to be super-cautious, you’ll be able to flip your air conditioner off on the breaker field throughout a thunderstorm. Fortunately, humidity and temperature drop when storms roll in, so that you’ll get some aid regardless that your air conditioner will not be in use.

Why take into account turning off your air conditioner throughout a thunderstorm?

• Lightning strikes. Whereas lightning strikes to the house are uncommon, they’re a chance throughout a storm. {The electrical} service drop, the place your utility traces connect with the home on the roof, is a really susceptible level for lightning strikes. If lightning strikes at this level, it could actually trigger a big energy surge via your house’s electrical system. As a lot as 5 billion joules of vitality may be despatched via your house’s wiring earlier than the breakers are triggered to journey. In a fraction of a second, the surge may cause critical harm to your air conditioner whether it is working.
• Air conditioner harm. The harm brought on by a lightning strike can render your air conditioner unusable. It could possibly soften the plug to your unit. The air conditioner’s management panel is stuffed with delicate electrical circuitry which may be broken, requiring an in depth restore and even substitute of the complete unit. The system’s controls may be corrupted to the complete heating and cooling system if a lightning strike happens when the system is working.

Can lightning strike a window air conditioner?

Sure, lightning can strike a window air conditioner, significantly in case you reside in an condominium constructing or highrise and are farther from the bottom. Nonetheless, that is extremely unlikely. Lightning strikes are statistically very uncommon and it’s typically secure to go away your window AC unit plugged in. Air conditioners are electrically insulated to stay secure within the occasion of a surge. The refrigerant contained in the unit is nonflammable, so that you aren’t in peril of an explosion. 

An influence surge may soften the plug and energy port in your unit, and harm the circuitry in your management panel. That may be a expensive restore, and it’s possible you’ll find yourself needing a wholly new window unit which might price as much as $600 to buy and set up. 

If you wish to take further precautions, you’ll be able to unplug your window unit through the storm and plug it again in as soon as it passes.

How do I shield my air conditioner in a thunderstorm?

If you happen to occur to reside in an space with a excessive prevalence of lightning strikes, you’ll be able to shield your air conditioner by putting in a safety system. Utilizing lightning rods, conductors, and floor rods, you’ll create an alternate path for lightning to achieve the bottom, avoiding your house’s electrical system.

If you happen to reside in a hurricane-prone space, take a look at our ideas for making ready your AC for a hurricane.

For assist stormproofing your AC, click on under to schedule an appointment with one in all our HVAC consultants close to you.

Can I take advantage of my AC in a rain storm?

It’s completely secure to run your AC throughout a rain storm. Rain won’t intervene with the outside unit’s potential to operate appropriately. In truth, utilizing your AC on heat, wet days can maintain your house extra snug — your indoor evaporator coils extract moisture and decrease humidity ranges, which improves consolation ranges indoors.

If rain storms end in flooding and you’ve got standing water round your unit, it is best to cease utilizing the system, and switch off energy at your house’s electrical panel to stop harm. Have your unit inspected by an HVAC skilled earlier than utilizing it after flooding.