If you’ve heard about or lived through the unprecedented flooding in central Texas this year, you might be wondering what to do if your air conditioner was damaged by the severe weather and the steps you can take to fix it. Or if you live in the Highland Lakes area, a known floodplain, you might want to know what measures you could take to prevent a flooded air conditioner in the future.
According to AHRI (Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute), flood damaged air conditioning and heating equipment should be replaced and not repaired because of cost concerns. All inspection and installation work on flooded equipment should be performed by a qualified professional from Ken’s AC because of potential electrical system failures and compressor/motor corrosion/deterioration that makes repairing the unit more costly than replacing the unit altogether.
There is a silver lining to everything and you can turn misfortune into opportunity by considering new, energy-efficient models from York that will reduce your negative impact on the environment and lower your utility bills. In most cases, your flood insurance policy will take care of your unit replacement. However, you can also ask your technician about available utility incentives or manufacturer rebates for a new energy-efficient air conditioner or heat pump.
For victims of some natural disasters, government aid may be available to help homeowners finance the replacement of flood damaged heating and air conditioning equipment. Homeowners should contact their local Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for more information.
At Ken’s AC, we offer various financing options to help ease the burden of a new purchase, especially if it’s unexpected due to flood damage. We offer several easy and competitive offers from Synchrony Bank and FTL Financing. With the simple application process and fast credit decision, it has never been easier to get financing with low monthly payments while also saving money on your monthly electric bills.
But wait! Is there anything you can do as a homeowner to prevent flood damage? For existing units, your technician can raise the outdoor unit up on a platform or legs as long as there is enough slack in the lines to allow for the movement. For new units, you can ask your air conditioning contractor to install the unit on legs or platform to raise it off the ground to prevent possible flooding in the future. If you notice water beginning to accumulate outside, switching off your air conditioner can also be a good first step toward safeguarding your air conditioning system. To evaluate your options for replacement or preventive measures, contact your local technician at Ken’s AC so they can address your concerns and provide solutions.
