Flood waters can have a serious impact on your home's heating and cooling system. Depending on various factors, the damage caused by the water can be enough to warrant buying and installing a new unit. If your home was flooded, here is what you need to know:

How Can Flood Waters Damage the System?

The outdoor unit of your heating and cooling system is most vulnerable to flood waters. The water can cause mechanical and structural damage, including rust in some parts. Some of the parts are treated to withstand exposure to water, but your electrical components are not. Electrical components, such as the circuit boards, will not survive too much exposure to flood water.  

If your heating and cooling system relies on gas for an energy source, there is a good chance that the system might need replacement if it has been in a flood. Parts of the unit, such as the heat exchanger, are located near the ground. Unlike an electrical unit, they are not designed to withstand too much water.

What Should You Do?

Your first inclination when you are allowed back into your home is likely to turn on the heating and cooling system in an effort to help dry some of your furnishings. However, doing so could spell disaster. There is a risk of electrocution if any of the electrical parts are still in water.

There is also the possibility that the system could short out and cause even bigger problems. There is even a chance that the system is in still in good condition and only needs to be dried out. If you turn it on, you run the risk of damaging it.

Instead of turning on the heating and cooling system, turn off the gas or electricity to it. This will help to avoid furthering any damage that was done and prevent anyone from turning it on.

You also need to allow time for the system to dry out. The drying process could take days. You can help to expedite it by making sure there are no obstructions that are keeping air from circulating to and from the system.

Once you have done these things, you need to have the heating and cooling system professionally inspected. If there are any problems, there is a possibility that the HVAC technician can minimize the damage. If so, you could save on the cost of repairs and potentially avoid the need for a complete replacement. 

Contact a company like Peterson Heating & Cooling for more information and assistance.