How to Time the Replacement of Your HVAC System After a Flood
If your home was affected by the recent flooding from Hurricane Harvey or other storms, you are probably handling a lot of details to get your home back into tip-top shape. No doubt your top priority is removing sheetrock, flooring, and water-damaged furnishings to stop the infestation of mold and mildew. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has resources that describe ways to safely remove mold to protect a home’s indoor air quality and your respiratory health. Another aspect of repairing your home is timing when your HVAC system should be replaced.
Repair or Replacement of Your Air Conditioner
If your HVAC system, particularly your outdoor condensing unit, was submerged in flood waters, chances are it is going to need to be replaced. When the electrical systems that run your system are compromised by excessive water, corrosion and dirt, it’s probably a good idea to plan to replace your unit. This will preserve the warranty and ensure it will continue to safely operate as expected. Read more about water safety around your air conditioner after a flood.
If your home is undergoing major renovations with water removal, sheetrock, and flooring AND your air conditioner is operational AND your air conditioner has been deemed safe to use, we recommend using it to help you remove the humidity and moisture from your home. We do recommend getting it cleaned and checked out by a technician for your peace of mind first. This means you can delay replacing your HVAC system for a time.
Why Delay AC Replacement During Construction
If you can delay replacement of your air conditioner during the home remediation process, it will protect the life of your new air conditioner. The dust and mold-levels in the air can be particularly high during heavy construction. The air can become very dirty and dusty when carpet is torn out, sheetrock is removed or replaced, or floors are being refinished.
When an air conditioner circulates this air, it can settle into the duct work and clog up the air filters very quickly. This can put undue strain on the air conditioner and shorten the life of some of its parts. This situation can cause them to wear out earlier than usual. This is why it is ideal to replace your HVAC system after the heavy construction phase is over but before paint and carpet.
If AC Replacement Can’t Be Delayed
If you cannot delay the replacement of your HVAC system, there are ways to protect your new system from the construction dust and debris in the air. During very heavy construction, you might consider switching off your unit just during the worst parts of it so that dust isn’t circulated.
We can also help you with extra filtration and air purification solutions to counterbalance the activity in your home. Adding an in-duct media filter to the regular pleated air filters you already have in your home can vastly improve the air quality during construction and protect your HVAC equipment.
We also have a variety of whole-home air purification systems that actively filter dust, mold, pollen, bacteria, and viruses from the air. Higher air quality also will help keep your family healthy, too.
Keeping Your Home’s AC and Indoor Air Quality Healthy
Call on the experts at Terry’s A/C & Heating at (281) 495-7830 for smart advice to help you time the repair or replacement of your home’s HVAC system after a major flood. If you are interested in exploring air purification solutions, we have several options to improve the indoor air quality in your home.
Our subtropical climate on the Texas Gulf Coast means that hurricanes, windstorms, torrential rain and flooding are very real scenarios that many of us have navigated before. We serve home and business owners across West Houston from Memorial Villages through the Energy Corridor through Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land, Fulshear, and Weston Lakes.
We would be happy to give you advice to help you protect your HVAC investment and keep the air in your home as clean as it can be for your family’s health.