Should You Run Your AC During a Thunderstorm?

Should You Run Your AC During a Thunderstorm?

The answer is…. no! We know with Tropical Storm Elsa visiting us that she has brought some cranky weather with her, but it still is warm and humid outside and likely inside your home as well.

While the hot, humid summer conditions make you want to crank the air conditioner, they also create the ideal conditions for thunderstorms. Operating your air conditioner during a thunderstorm can lead to some damage to your unit, so it’s best to shut it down when the weather starts acting up.

Why is it important to turn off your air conditioning during a thunderstorm, you ask?

• Lightning Strikes. While lightning strikes to the home are rare, they are an undeniable possibility during a storm. The electrical service drop, where your utility lines connect to the house on the roof, is a very vulnerable point for lightning strikes. If lightning strikes at this point, it can cause a significant power surge through your home’s electrical system. Billions of joules of energy can be sent through your home’s wiring before the breakers are triggered to trip — in this fraction of a second, the surge can cause serious damage to your air conditioner if it is in operation.
• Air Conditioner Damage. The damage caused by a lightning strike can render your air conditioner unusable. It can melt the plug to your unit. The air conditioner’s control panel is full of sensitive electrical circuitry which can be damaged, requiring an extensive repair or even replacement of the entire unit. The system’s controls can be corrupted to the entire heating and cooling system if a lighting strike occurs when the system is operating.

What about if it is just raining outside?

It is perfectly safe to run your AC during a rain storm. Rain will not interfere with the outdoor unit’s ability to function correctly.  HOWEVER, if there is a lot of rain resulting in flooding and you have standing water around your unit, you should stop using the system and turn off power at your home’s electrical panel to prevent damage. Have your unit inspected by one of our TMS HVAC  professionals before using it after flooding.

Stay dry out there and be safe! We’re here if you need us for any cooling, electrical, plumbing, water heating, or propane needs. Reach out to our Total Mechanical Systems team anytime!!!

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Source: https://www.hvac.com/blog/is-it-ok-to-run-your-air-conditioner-during-a-thunderstorm/