What Avondale Area Homeowners Should Do After HVAC Hail Damage
After a hailstorm passes through the West Valley, it’s common for a homeowner’s thoughts to first turn to the condition of their roofing, siding, and cars. But what they may not have realized is that the same hailstones that impacted their homes and vehicles could have been just as damaging, if not more so, to the outdoor HVAC unit working hard to keep their homes comfortable.
Your air conditioner’s outdoor condenser is a prime target for hail, which can flatten its delicate fins, crack its casing, or even damage the fan blades. Thankfully, for homeowners in Avondale, AZ, our experts are right around the corner.
If you suspect your AC unit has taken a beating from a recent storm, don’t wait for a system failure. Contact the friendly professionals at Autumn Air Heating & Cooling for prompt hail damage HVAC repairs. We proudly serve Avondale, Litchfield Park, Phoenix, and the rest of the West Valley.
Our Service Area
Are you dealing with a hail-damaged heating and cooling system? We’ll get it back to running like new in no time! Our technicians are ready to perform hail-related HVAC repairs in and around Avondale, including:
How Hail Can Damage Your HVAC System
Your outdoor condenser or heat pump unit is built to withstand Arizona’s heat and dust, but hail is another story. When those chunks of ice start falling from the sky, they can hit your system with significant force, leading to several types of damage.
Dented and Flattened Condenser Fins
The condenser fins on the outdoor unit play an important role in releasing heat from your home. Unfortunately, these thin metal fins are easily bent or crushed by hailstones. When that happens, airflow is restricted, forcing your system to work harder and less efficiently. The end result is higher energy bills and a shortened system lifespan.
Condenser Coil Leaks
In addition to damaging the unit’s fins, larger hailstones can hit with enough force to puncture or crack the copper tubing of the condenser coil itself. This tubing contains the system’s refrigerant, and a leak here could lead to poor cooling, frozen indoor coils, or total compressor failure (and this is worth noting, as compressor failure is extremely expensive to repair).
Fan Blade Damage
Hail can also crack or warp the fan blades that circulate air through your system. A damaged fan blade can lead to vibration, imbalance, and noise while your air conditioner runs, and if ignored, can eventually cause motor failure.
Electrical and Control Board Issues
In some cases, a direct, hard hit can damage exposed wiring or even compromise the unit’s control board. This can lead to intermittent problems or a system that won’t turn on at all.
Structural and Cosmetic Damage
While dents and cracks to the outer metal casing might seem harmless (especially if your HVAC system is still able to run), they can actually expose the unit to future wear and tear. In most situations, you would be better off repairing the unit now, before it causes more costly performance issues.
How to Know if Your HVAC Unit Was Damaged During the Hailstorm
After the storm has safely passed, it’s a good idea to check on your outdoor unit. Keep an eye out for the following problems, and if you notice even one, reach out to our team about an HVAC hail damage repair in Avondale, AZ:
- Visual Damage: Take a look at your outdoor unit. Do you see visible dents on the top or side panels? Are the fins flattened or bent? Are there any obvious chips missing from the fan blades (you may need a flashlight to look through the top grille)? Let our AC repair technicians get to the bottom of these cosmetic damages right away.
- Unusual Noises: When your system kicks on, listen for scraping, rattling, or banging noises, which often point to a damaged fan blade that is out of balance or hitting debris. Be sure to also listen for a hissing sound, as this could mean there’s a refrigerant leak that needs addressing.
- Reduced Performance: If your air conditioner seems to be running constantly but your home just isn’t getting as cool as it used to, the hail damage is likely restricting airflow.
- Tripped Breakers: If the system tries to start and immediately trips the circuit breaker, it could be a sign of a damaged motor or a short circuit caused by the storm.
- Water or Ice: If you notice ice buildup on the coil (either indoors or outdoors), there may be an issue related to low refrigerant or poor airflow, both of which can be caused by hail and should be repaired by a qualified HVAC technician.
Rely on Our Experts for HVAC Hail Damage Repairs in Avondale and the West Valley
When your system takes a hit from hail, you need a reliable team with the experience and skill to fix it properly. At Autumn Air Heating & Cooling, our technicians are trained to handle all types of HVAC hail damage repairs, from minor cosmetic issues to full component replacements.
We’ll start with a detailed inspection to assess the damage, test your system’s performance, and determine whether repairs or replacement make the most sense. We’ll then use high-quality parts and proven repair methods to restore your system’s function and efficiency.
No matter how extensive the damage, our team will get your HVAC system back in top shape so your home stays comfortable year-round.
Should You Repair or Replace Your HVAC System After Hail Damage?
This is a question we hear often, and the answer depends on several factors. For example, if the hail only caused cosmetic damage, such as small dents in the casing or bent fins, repairs are typically sufficient. Our technicians can straighten or replace damaged components and restore full functionality. However, if your system’s coils, fan motor, or electrical components sustained significant damage, replacement may be more cost-effective.
We’ll help you weigh the pros and cons of each option, considering:
- The age of your unit
- The extent of the damage
- Repair vs. replacement costs
- Energy efficiency benefits of newer systems
We’ll also help you navigate any insurance claims for storm-related damage, providing documentation and estimates as needed. In this way, we make the repair process for HVAC hail damage as smooth and stress-free as possible.
HVAC System Damaged in a Hailstorm? Call Us Today!
While hail damage is never a fun thing to deal with, getting your HVAC system repaired after a storm is easy with our professionals on the job. Autumn Air Heating & Cooling has been providing expert AC and heating repairs for homeowners in Avondale, Litchfield Park, Phoenix, and the surrounding communities of the West Valley since 2003. We can easily and accurately address damage from hail so that your system continues to run efficiently and reliably for years to come.
Reach out to our team today to schedule your inspection. We even offer same-day appointments to help you address emergency AC issues!