Is rain affecting your HVAC system? It can, particularly here in damp Corpus Christi. Here, we look at some of the ways that rain or flooding may affect your cooling system.
High Humidity in the Home
Your air conditioner is designed to not only cool the home but to also remove moisture from the air. Humid air holds heat, so it’s important to keep the humidity balanced so the air conditioner doesn’t have to work so hard to keep things cool.
The AC pulls moisture in with the return air. The moisture condenses on the evaporator coils and is channeled into the condensate drain, where it is exhausted from the home. When anything goes wrong with the coils or the drain, the AC can’t dehumidify the home as well, and you may start experiencing uneven cooling, or the AC may run for longer periods, overworking itself in an attempt to attain set temperature points.
For best results, always have the evaporator coils cleaned and the condensate drain flushed yearly, so that these parts can help dehumidify the home.
In times when rain is abundant, the AC may have to work harder to dehumidify the air, so it’s crucial that these parts are working right.
Also, make sure the air filter is changed frequently. A dirty filter may impede the AC’s ability to dehumidify the air.
How Rain May Affect the Condenser
The condenser, the outside portion of your AC, is of sturdy construction and is generally not subject to problems from ordinary rainfall. However, do watch for possibilities of high water or flooding in an abnormal rain event. You don’t want water to rise more than a couple of inches into the condenser, as standing water can damage the unit. So, if the water rises to half a foot or so, make sure the unit is turned off. Try to drain the water away so the unit can dry out. Do not turn it back on until a qualified HVAC technician has inspected it for damage.
For more information on rain affecting your HVAC system, contact CCAC. We serve Corpus Christi and the surrounding area.
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