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Can Rainy, Humid Weather Damage My AC Unit?

Most A/C units are built to withstand typical changes in the weather, but severe conditions are capable of causing damage. Continuous rain and prolonged levels of high humidity can affect your air conditioner in many ways.

Humidity and Your Air Conditioner
To understand why humidity can affect your air conditioner’s ability to cool your home and cause costly repairs, you first need to have a fundamental grasp of how your A/C works. An air conditioner cools the air inside your home by converting hot air into a liquid and then back again using several processes.

One of these processes uses an evaporator coil which draws heat from the air. When the humidity level is high, the evaporator coil needs to work extra hard to remove all of the heat. This additional strain can cause your A/C unit to overheat and stop working.

But besides the potential to cause damage to the operation of your air conditioner, there are other hazards A high level of humidity means more water will run off into the water collection area. This excessive amount of water can encourage mildew, mold, and algae to grow. This results in a situation which is not only harmful to you to breathe but can clog your system over time.

There are several indications which can alert you that your air conditioner is having difficulty with humidity. One common sign that there is something wrong is the scent of a ‘gym sock’ odor coming from the air vents. If you notice this odor, it means that mildew has already started to grow in your system and it is time to get someone to look at your A/C. Another indicator is a puddle of water under your outdoor unit.

Rain and Your Air Conditioner
A mild, steady rain can benefit your A/C unit by helping to rinse out all of the dirt and grime from the system, but a more intense downpour may lead to a dangerous situation.

The biggest danger is when it rains so much that the air conditioning unit floods. If standing water reaches the electrical equipment inside your outdoor unit, it may cause a short. In this case, it is best to call a professional HVAC technician before trying to restart your unit.

Wellmann Heating & Air Inc. in Lincoln, Nebraska technicians have over 179 years of combined experience dealing with heating and cooling problems. Whether you need to service your current air conditioner or want to install a new system, Wellmann Heating & Air Inc. can help. Call to schedule an appointment today!