During severe weather seasons, power outages are common occurrences as strong storms sweep through the Carmel area. If thunder rumbles, lightning flashes and high winds howl, a power outage can follow.
As the lights go out, your home suddenly becomes quiet, as your fans and air conditioning system shut off. While waiting for the storm to pass, you might wonder, “Can a power outage damage an AC unit?” Unfortunately, a power outage can cause serious damage to your system if you aren’t careful.
Let the leading AC repair company in Carmel, IN, explain the relationship between your air conditioner and power outages below.
Power Outages and Power Surges in Carmel
Remembering the difference between a power outage and a power surge is important. Both can cause damage to your air conditioning system, but they are two different things.
Power outages happen when something disrupts the flow of electricity into your home, such as a downed power line or an issue with your utility company.
Power surges occur when too much electricity floods your system. This can happen when electricity flows back into your home too quickly after the utility company restores power to your neighborhood.
Power Outages and Air Conditioning Units
When the lights go out in Carmel, everything connected to your electrical system goes out, too. Darkness falls, quiet sets in, and your home will start to warm up since your air conditioner isn’t working. While the power outage can damage your air conditioner, AC unit power surge damage is more common when the lights come back on.
As power flows back into your home, it can overwhelm any of the small parts in your system, resulting in serious air conditioner electrical issues.
Compressor Failures
An overheated compressor is one of the biggest risks for your HVAC system after a power outage. AC compressor failure after outages is common because your air conditioning unit can’t cycle on and off, which is essential to prevent overheating.
Can a power outage damage an AC unit beyond repair? Unfortunately, if the compressor failure is bad enough, it may warrant an air conditioning system replacement.
Programming Reset
Many modern air conditioning systems can recognize when power fluctuates within the unit. When that happens, your air conditioner may return to its factory settings. The good news is that an air conditioner reset after power outages is common and is often the only fix that needs to happen to restore your entire HVAC system.
What To Do After a Power Outage in Carmel
If the power goes out, prioritize your family’s safety as you wait for the lights to come back on. Move around carefully and wait patiently for the storm to pass. Once the power comes back on, leave your HVAC system off for a while to reduce the risk of a power surge.
First, turn on your lights, reset your clocks, and restore power to other parts of your home. After waiting a few minutes, power your system back up to reset your air conditioner.
If it doesn’t turn back on even after resetting your system, your unit most likely suffered some damage. In this case, calling a professional HVAC company is always the best choice to ensure your safety.
A trained HVAC team will inspect your system quickly and offer the appropriate solution. In most cases, a compressor replacement or a few repairs on the blower motor will be your solution, and your home will start cooling down quickly once again.
Protecting Your HVAC Unit From Future Power Problems
The best way to prevent a full air conditioning system failure is to prepare for power outages before they happen. Use these HVAC unit protection tips to stay prepared:
- Turn off all electronics and appliances before the storm hits.
- Invest in a surge protector for your HVAC system.
- Maintain your air conditioner and replace parts as necessary.
- Schedule an inspection of your equipment every year.
So, can a power outage damage an AC unit, and can a damaged AC compressor be replaced? Yes, it is possible. However, relying on a trained HVAC team in Carmel to help you recover and restore your equipment is the best way to easily protect your home and overcome these challenges.
HVAC system power failures can be scary, but there is always a solution! Contact the team at Complete Comfort Heating, A/C & Plumbing Repair at 317-535-5073 for quick air conditioning repairs that you can trust. Discover more today.