Knowing your HVAC system is a vital piece of equipment in your home, our trusted and qualified Lennox dealers will help guide you through the process. If your HVAC system was exposed to flooding or experienced other types of damage during the hurricane, it is likely some equipment will need to be repaired or replaced. With help from The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), we’ve put together a list of equipment that should be inspected by a qualified HVAC technician.

Furnaces and boilers

This equipment is especially vulnerable to water damage. If there is any question floodwater reached your furnace or boiler, it should be inspected by a licensed HVAC contractor. Corrosion begins inside, so damage may not be visible even if the outside of the device looks clean and dry.

Propane heating

Use extreme caution if there’s a potential propane leak. Have equipment inspected, repaired or replaced by a contractor as quickly as possible after a flood. In every case, contractors must replace all valves and controls touched by floodwater. Gas pressure regulators on a propane system should also be checked by your contractor.

Heat pumps and air-conditioning systems

If floodwater has repositioned the indoor or outdoor units of a split air conditioning and heat pump system, even by a small amount, there is a potential for refrigerant leaks. If the refrigerant system remains intact after the flood, the entire system needs to be cleaned, dried and disinfected by a trusted professional. Then the contractor should also inspect the indoor and outdoor units’ electrical and refrigeration connections, including all control circuits.

Ductwork

If your house contains a central-forced air system, a contractor should inspect the ductwork. A contractor needs to fully replace duct insulation contacted by floodwater because it is impossible to decontaminate. The contractor should also clean, dry and disinfect the ductwork itself.

Water heating systems

Whether a water heater uses gas, oil or electricity, if it was exposed to floodwater, the unit should be replaced. Even if water heater components have been cleaned and the unit seems to operate properly, parts may corrode in the future. If the water heater was more than five years old, the chances are good that a new unit will be more efficient, which will save you money in the long run.

If your HVAC system is affected by storms as the hurricane season progresses, please contact your local Lennox dealer to verify your equipment’s safety and/or to replace it. To read more about this, please visit the Lennox Comfort Matters blog.