Merrimack, NH Family Asks
It isn’t unusual this time of year for a hot, humid day to be followed by a passing summer thunderstorm. During one of these thunderstorms, a family in Merrimack called us with concerns about whether it was safe to running their home’s central air conditioning unit during a storm.
To Prevent Damage, Shut Down Your Air Conditioning During A Thunderstorm
The short answer is that continuing to run your AC during a thunder and lightning storm can damage the unit. While unlikely, lightning strikes during a storm are a possibility. A lightning strike where the utility lines meet your home can cause a power surge, which can seriously damage an air conditioning unit that is being used during the time. This can damage the unit’s circuitry, requiring extensive repair or even replacement of the system.
A surge protector will not be able to provide the level of protection that your air conditioning unit will need in the event of a lightning strike. For those living in an area that typically sees a higher occurrence of strikes, lightning rods, conductors and ground rods can provide the lightning with an alternative path. However, these are not 100% effective and your safest bet is to turn off the air conditioning unit during a thunderstorm.
Rain Is Safe And Will Not Affect Your Air Conditioning
It is safe to run your air conditioning unit during rain, and it will continue to function properly. Using your air conditioner on rainy days can actually improve the humidity levels in your home, making it feel more comfortable. If the rain results in flooding and there is standing water around the outdoor unit, you should immediately turn it off and power the system down to prevent damage to the electrical circuit.
The Merrimack family can now feel confident knowing when it is safe to run their air conditioning unit and when it may be wiser to power it down.
The post Should You Run Your AC During a Thunderstorm? appeared first on Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. – Nashua, NH.
