Hail and Your Outdoor AC Unit
Heavy thunderstorms bring much of Amarillo's rain, and some bring hail. Outdoor AC units sit in the open and can take real damage.
Request an AC technicianWhat hail does
Hailstones flatten the delicate fins on the outdoor coil, blocking airflow. Larger hail can dent the cabinet, crack the fan blades and damage the top grille.
Check before running
After a hailstorm, switch the power off at the disconnect and look the unit over before you run it.
Signs of trouble
Flattened fins over large areas, a noisy fan, weak cooling or the unit shutting off on hot afternoons all point to damage.
Photos
Photograph the unit, the fins and any hail on the ground before cleanup, for insurance.
Fin combing
Lightly bent fins can be combed straight. Heavily crushed coils may need replacing.
Hail guards
Ask about guards that protect the coil while keeping airflow clear.
Old units
If the unit is old and badly damaged, a replacement may make more sense than a coil repair.
Roof units
Rooftop or mobile home units can be harder to inspect. Leave climbing to a technician.
More help
Running a damaged unit
A unit with crushed fins may still run but will work much harder and cost more to operate. Have it checked before the hottest weeks rather than running it until something fails.
Neighbours and timing
After a big hailstorm, many homes need checks at once. Book early and send photos so the technician knows what to expect.
Insurance timing
Many policies have time limits for reporting storm damage. Report it promptly and keep the technician's written findings with your photos.
Gutters and roof
Hail that damaged the AC may have hit the roof and gutters too. Check them, or ask a roofer, while you're documenting the storm.
More air conditioning and heating guides
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