Remove the dust filter from the wall-mounted AC with both hands (AI illustration)
AC TIPS & ADVICE

Why air conditioners break down more after a typhoon

Contents

After a storm or typhoon, it is common for an AC to malfunction or break down completely. This can be puzzling because many people may not directly connect a storm with an AC fault. However, strong winds and heavy rain can have a much greater impact on AC units than we might expect. Below, OPOExpert Air Conditioning will discuss several possible reasons why an AC may fail after a storm.

Electrical problems

Storms or typhoons may cause power fluctuations. Unstable voltage may damage the AC's electronic control system and prevent the equipment from operating normally.

Physical damage

Second, strong winds may cause physical damage to the AC's external components. For example, the outdoor condenser may be hit by flying debris or blown over, causing the AC to stop working properly. This kind of storm damage may directly lead to failure and may even be beyond repair.

Humidity and water damage

Water ingress: During a typhoon, if rainwater enters the electrical component area, it may cause a short circuit or damage electronic parts. This type of damage should be checked by a professional.

Expected service life of an air conditioner

Finally, it is also possible that when the storm arrived, the air conditioner had already reached the end of its expected service life. In that case, the unit may already have had problems before the storm, but the storm may have accelerated the failure. So if the AC broke down after the storm, it may not be entirely the storm's fault; the storm may simply have sped up an existing problem.

Overall, AC failure after a storm may be caused by several factors together. When a storm is approaching, we should protect our AC unit as much as possible to prevent this from happening. However, if your AC still has problems after the storm, it is recommended that you arrange for a professional to inspect and repair it immediately.

Prevention and inspection

To reduce risk, it is recommended to inspect the outdoor unit bracket and protection before each typhoon season. If the power wiring is aged, please have it checked by a professional.

After a typhoon, we should immediately check whether the air conditioner has any visible damage, and confirm that the power supply and wiring are safe before switching it on. If there is any doubt, we should ask a professional to inspect it to ensure the air conditioner is safe and operating normally.

Conclusion

AC faults after a storm are usually related to electrical abnormalities, physical damage, or water ingress into components. It is recommended to inspect the AC condition before and after severe weather. If anything abnormal occurs, please contact a professional repair technician as soon as possible.

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