After the Storm: Inspecting HVAC Units for Damage after Hurricane Irma

The storm is over and the sun is out. While the water is beginning to recede in some areas, there are still towns in Florida that are flooded and without power.  Just take one look around Fort Meyers, Florida and you’ll see flooded streets, downed trees, and tons of debris strewn about. Even around our own shop at Action Cooling & Heating, Fort Meyers, Florida, it’s pretty evident a storm occurred. As expected, Hurricane Irma ripped her way through our state, and now it’s time to pick up the pieces.

Now begins the complicated process of assessing any damage that has happened to our homes or businesses. Fortunately, the Fort Meyers area was not hit as bad as anticipated, but that does not mean property owners won’t still need to check on the particulars outside of structural damage. This includes smaller items, like your HVAC unit.  Action Cooling & Heating, Fort Meyers  advises you to take some time and inspect your HVAC unit for signs of hurricane damage. Here’s how:

1.    The initial evaluation process of your HVAC unit should consist of a visual inspection of the waterline on your property. This will give you an idea as to how far the water rose and what, if any components could be affected.

2.    Check your outdoor equipment first before moving indoors. Your outdoor equipment came into direct contact with the storm. This means dirt, debris, and the elements could have adversely affected how it operates. While the condensing unit is designed to withstand mud, elements, and floodwaters, it is still a ground-mounted system where a few bits of debris and large amounts of water could negatively impact its performance.


3.    Finally, you’ll want to check your indoor units. Any units in attics may not have damage; however it’s a different story for flooded basements. Basements are not too common in Florida, yet some homes do have crawl spaces. If you have a furnace in your lower level crawl space, you’ll want to check that as well. This is especially true if the furnace is a horizontal furnace, as they are more susceptible to flood water damage. Given the design of the horizontal furnace, it’s fairly easy for water to infiltrate the system, causing significant amounts of damage to the unit.
Accurately assessing the damage to your home can help with insurance claims and overall safety of your home down the road. As the water recedes, it will take a few days before we can return to normal, but we will. Rest assured that Action Cooling & Heating Fort Meyers is here to help you weather the storm.