During summer, due to the humid
conditions, thunderstorms occur frequently. You might have heard that one
should not use electronics during thunderstorms. Now, is the advice applicable
for your air conditioner or not? Read below to know the answer and other
details about operating your air conditioner during thunderstorms!
Should you use your Air Conditioner during thunderstorms?
The answer
is no! Just like any other electrical appliance, operating your air conditioner
during a thunderstorm can cause severe damage to your unit. So, it is ideal to
shut down your air conditioner when the weather indicates a
thunderstorm.
Due
to humidity in summer, you might want to crank the air conditioner to enjoy the
cool air from your unit. Unfortunately, it is the ideal condition for
thunderstorms as well. Fortunately, once the summer storms roll in, you will
get some relief as the temperature and humidity drop, even if your air
conditioner is switched off.
Why
should you switch off your air conditioner?
·
Lightning
strikes can damage your air conditioner: During
thunderstorms, it is highly unlikely that lightning strikes your condenser
(outdoor unit of your air conditioner). However, the probability of bigger
damage to your air conditioner comes from the power surges due to lightning
striking your home or nearby. The most vulnerable point for lightning striking
your home is the electrical flow drop. It is the point where all the utility
lines are connected to your home’s roof, and if lightning strikes, a power
surge will occur through your house’s electrical system. The power surge due to
lightning strikes may send a significant spike through your home's electrical
system, which can cause your circuit breaker to trip. This can result in severe
damage to all the appliances running during the power surge, including your
operating air conditioner. The damage caused because of this power surge is likely
beyond repair.
·
Your
air conditioner may malfunction: Your home getting
struck by lightning can lead your air conditioner to malfunction. It can
cause your unit’s plug to melt. The control panel of your air conditioner is
very vulnerable because it is packed with complex electrical circuitry that is
sensitive to damage. Once your air conditioner’s control panel is damaged, you will
require extensive repair or even replace the entire unit. The functioning of
your air conditioner depends on the system’s control, and if a power surge
occurs while it is operating, your cooling or heating system will
malfunction.
Some damages are repairable. For instance, during lightning,
if the compressor or capacitor gets damaged due to a power surge, it does not
risk the functioning of your air conditioner.
What
should you do to prevent your air conditioner from being damaged during
thunderstorms?
By
installing a full-house surge protector, you can prevent your AC from being
damaged due to a power surge. You can call for certified technicians to install
it for your house. If lightning strikes, the surge protector will channel the
excess voltage directly into the ground. However, it is to be noted that
installing a surge protector is only an effective way to prevent damage; it
does not guarantee to be a 100 percent preventive measure. Therefore, you need
to refrain from operating your air conditioner during thunderstorms. Even if
you have a full-house surge protector, there will still be chances of power
surge from your house’s neighborhood.
Turning
off your electrical appliances along with your HVAC system is the best way to
prevent any damage during thunderstorms. Although it does not guarantee that
your HVAC system will remain safe from a power surge, it will prevent any
severe damage to your switched-off system.
Conclusion
During summers, air conditioners
are the best appliance to save us from the horrible heat and humidity. But the
summer storms can cause thunderstorms to damage your air conditioning. It is
ideal for you to turn off your air conditioner during thunderstorms to prevent
any extensive damage. If you notice your air conditioner malfunctioning after a
storm, call the HVAC experts right away to diagnose any issue with your unit
and fix it as soon as possible. To keep your air conditioner running
effectively, you need to maintain it properly.
See the summary of this content
here – Using
AC during Thunderstorms [Infographic]
