Storms in Houston can be brutal, and when the power goes out, the AC will go with it. Usually, the AC will kick back on when power is restored. But what if it doesn’t? What’s causing your AC to go out after a storm, and what should you do about it?
House Pro Air Conditioning has seen all types of AC issues over the years, including problems caused by power outages in the face of Houston storms. Let’s walk through what to check, when it’s safe to restart your system yourself, and when it’s time to stop and call for emergency ac repair instead.
How Houston Storms Can Affect Air Conditioners
The Houston area gets hit with around 60 thunderstorms throughout the year. Each and every storm in Houston carries the potential to affect your home’s air conditioner in a handful of different ways, even if the storm itself doesn’t seem all that severe.
Power surges are the biggest threats to air conditioners that come with storms. A nearby lightning strike can send a surge of electricity straight through your home’s electrical system and into your AC’s sensitive components, potentially frying the control board, capacitor, or compressor before you even know it happened.
Even when lightning doesn’t strike your property directly, the sudden jolt that comes when utility crews restore power after an outage can cause a similar surge, catching your system off guard just as it’s trying to power back on.
Beyond power surges, though, there can be issues due to heavy rain and flooding. Air conditioners are outdoor systems, and they’re constantly exposed to the elements, even in normal weather, but a Houston storm can directly affect the AC’s coils and fan.
Restarting Your AC After a Storm in Houston
So, should you restart your air conditioner after a Houston storm? It ultimately depends on what you observe when you attempt to bring your system back online.
If your power has been fully restored and your thermostat display is on, try setting your AC to a temperature a few degrees below the current room temperature and give it a moment to respond. If the system kicks on normally and runs without any unusual sounds, smells, or error codes, that’s typically a good sign that it weathered the storm without lasting damage. However, if you notice anything out of the ordinary, like buzzing, clicking, a burning smell, or the system simply not responding at all, that’s a sign to stop and call for professional help rather than continuing to try and force it back on.
When to Call on the Professionals for Emergency AC Repairs in Houston
We want you to stay safe and comfortable in your home at all times. After a storm, that can mean trusting some things to the professionals. We recommend calling for emergency AC repairs in Houston when your AC:
- Won’t turn on at all, even after power has been fully restored to your home
- Turns on but makes unusual sounds like buzzing, clicking, or grinding
- Emits a burning smell or any other unusual odor when running
- Trips the breaker repeatedly every time you try to restart it
- Shows visible damage, standing water, or debris around the outdoor unit
What to Know About Emergency AC Repair Services
We understand that air conditioning problems can be stressful, and finding an emergency air conditioning company to make things right might only add to it. Properly preparing and knowing what to expect can make all the difference when the time comes to call for emergency AC services.
When you call for help, you’ll usually first get asked when the problem started, how long you’ve been without cool air, and any other information regarding the situation. From there, a dispatcher will typically give you a rough idea of when a technician can arrive, which may take a bit longer than usual during major storm events due to the sheer volume of calls coming in across the area.
Once your AC technician arrives, they’ll typically run a full diagnostic on your system to pinpoint the exact cause of the issue, whether that’s storm-related damage or something else entirely, before recommending next steps. Being able to describe what you’ve observed, like unusual sounds, smells, or exactly what happens when you try to restart your system, can help speed up that process and get your home back to cool and comfortable sooner.
Call House Pro Air Conditioning for 24/7 Emergency AC Repairs in Houston
Count on House Pro to help bring cool air back to your home. Storms can cause damage in the form of power outages and issues with external components, but that doesn’t mean you should have to deal with problems on your own. At House Pro Air Conditioning, we’ve served the Houston, TX area for years, and our team is ready around the clock to help you get your AC back up and running safely after a storm.
Don’t take chances with a system that’s showing signs of trouble. Reach out to House Pro Air Conditioning any time, day or night, for emergency AC repair service in Houston that you can count on.