Is Your AC Struggling After a Thunderstorm? Here’s What to Check

When a nasty Florida storm leaves your air conditioner not working after a power outage, you can feel hopeless. Fortunately, there are some key steps you can take to provide safe AC triage in Orlando, Lakeland, Winter Haven, or wherever your home is located. Any time that your AC isn’t working after a storm, start with the safety checks below.

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Quick Safety Checks

There are some quick things you can do as a homeowner to try to troubleshoot your air conditioner. We suggest checking over these items to determine if you can repair the issue on your own or if you’ll need professional assistance.

Thermostat Settings & Batteries

If you notice that your AC isn’t working after a thunderstorm, it’s best to start by examining your thermostat. If the screen looks scrambled, you may need to reset your thermostat. New programmable and smart thermostats will have a small reset button that you’ll need to press and hold for about five to 10 seconds. Some you may be able to reset from your smartphone app.

Breaker Panel / Outdoor Disconnect / GFCI Reset

It’s common for power surges to cause an overload of the circuit, and your breaker will automatically trip to protect against an electrical hazard. Check to see if the circuit breaker for your AC unit is tripped and reset it if necessary. If the breaker isn’t tripped, check the outdoor disconnect switch near your condenser and any GFCI outlets on the same circuit, as these can trip during a storm and cut power to your AC.

Restore Airflow

If your AC isn’t blowing cold after a power outage, there are a few things you can check. Your goal should be to restore airflow to your unit to reestablish its normal operation.

Dirty Filter, Iced Coil, Blocked Return or Outdoor Clearance

Take a look at your indoor return vents — if furniture, rugs, or other items are blocking them, your system won’t get enough airflow to cool properly.

Then, look at the filter for your unit to see if it’s dirty and in need of replacement. You can do this by pulling it out of its housing and holding it up to a light. If you can see through it, it’s still good. If you can’t, it needs to be replaced.

If that doesn’t solve the problem, check around your outdoor condenser unit. A nasty storm could have blown debris against the unit, which can restrict its airflow and lead to inefficient system operation.

When too much debris covers the coils of your AC, your system will struggle to actively transfer heat in and out of the refrigerant inside the coil. This can have your system blowing lukewarm air instead of cold air out of your vents. As your system struggles, the refrigerant inside the coil will get too cold and cause ice to develop on the surface of the coil. Check your outdoor condenser unit to see if the coil is frozen over. If so, it needs to be thawed out and properly cleaned before turning your unit back on.

Storm/Outage-Related Failures

There’s no doubt that some of Florida’s storms can be quite nasty. There are a few different ways they may cause your air conditioner to malfunction.

Surge or Lightning Damage (Capacitor/Contactor)

When too much energy flows through your AC’s electrical system, it can cause permanent damage. In many cases of a power surge, you’ll experience a failed capacitor or contactor that will require professional replacement. Some key capacitor failure signs include hearing a clicking noise, experiencing warm air, and your AC unit randomly shutting off.

Flooding/Debris Around the Condenser

When the area floods, it can allow water to seep into your unit. This can damage electrical components and allow debris to get inside. It’s best to let your unit dry out and remove any debris you find inside.

After a Power Outage: Give It Time

When your AC unit malfunctions after a power outage, it can be exceedingly frustrating. However, it’s best to take your time and do a thorough assessment to see if you can repair the issue or if you need to call for professional help.

Five Minute Compressor Delay; Test Cooling Again

If your system isn’t cooling, we suggest doing a whole-system reset. Do this by shutting off the thermostat and turning off the circuit breaker to your system. Give it about five minutes for your AC’s electronics to reset themselves. Then, turn your circuit breaker and thermostat back on. The reason this can help is because most AC systems have a built-in 3–5 minute compressor delay after power is restored.

When to Call a Professional

While the above steps are simple troubleshooting tactics you can use, there are instances where they may not work. Contacting one of our professionals is a necessity to get the prompt assistance you need to get your AC system up and running successfully.

Burning Smells, Repeated Trips, No Outdoor Fan/Compressor

One key indicator that you need professional assistance is if there’s a burning smell coming from your unit. This indicates a major malfunction. You should immediately shut your unit off until one of our professionals can assess it.

If you attempt to reset your circuit breaker and it instantly trips, it’s best to leave it off. You should seek out professional assistance and never try to keep resetting it. If your outdoor compressor unit won’t turn on even after checking to ensure its circuit breaker hasn’t tripped, it’s time to call us for prompt repair service.

Prevent the Next Surprise

Dealing with an AC malfunction is never fun. As a knowledgeable homeowner, there are some proactive steps you can take to prevent future issues.

Tune-Ups, Drain Cleaning, Consider Surge Protection

Routine AC tune-ups are the key to ensuring efficient and safe performance. We suggest annual servicing every spring.

With your cooling system constantly running in the Florida heat with loads of humidity, it’s no surprise that its drain pan can develop algae growth. It’s best to clean this pan every month to prevent any clogging of the drain.

Another key thing to consider is a surge protection device. These devices are ideal for capturing and diverting excess energy that travels through your electrical circuit. This will prevent that excess energy from reaching the internal components of your AC unit.

Next Steps

The team at Iceberg Home Services is the one to trust with all your HVAC needs. We offer same-day repair service and even have a wide selection of surge-protection devices to protect your AC unit moving forward. If you need fast help after a storm, book an appointment for same-day AC repair and work with us to explore surge-protection options.

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