The hail storm that passed through Madison this week sparked some phone calls asking what to do about air conditioner hail damage. Here are a few tips for what to look for with hail damage to AC unit coils and metal covers. Air conditioner hail damage can be superficial as with the exterior metal casing, but it could also affect the long-term performance of a unit if coils or fins are damaged and not addressed. Typically, hail damage is not something covered by an AC unit manufacturer or a home warranty. Any damaged item that would qualify for hail damage would be handled through your insurance company. It’s best to consult with your insurance company and have an adjuster inspect any damage before you get an HVAC contractor involved. They will determine the extent of damage and recommend pathways to remedy the unit. At Pharo Heating and Cooling, we work almost exclusively with Bryant air conditioner products in the Madison, WI area. We can absolutely help you with any Bryant AC products to solve any issues with hail damage.

Coil fins that are struck by hail are bent into each other. The damage restricts airflow. This airflow reduction and change inhibits the ability for the AC unit to work properly.  This not only raises your energy consumption and reduces efficiency it shortens the life of the unit. The unit will need to work harder to compensate for the inefficiencies.how does ac units work Insurances companies often recommend having the coil fins combed out to straighten them. how to remove ac window unitThis typically involves using a specialized AC fin comb that attempts to straighten the positioning of the fins back to the original condition. window ac unit energy saver modeWhile it is difficult to “comb-out” a perfect pattern, this is very common item that is overlooked when an adjuster is visiting a home.

Much of the focus is on major items like the roof structure, any metal cladding on the home and vehicles. It’s important to have the adjuster inspect the AC unit because any hail damage beyond cosmetic dents could be a long term liability for a homeowner. For some hail damaged equipment, manufacturer warranties can still be in effect. Manufacturers will not warranty a failed component, such as a compressor, if any possibility exist that it failed due to a damaged coil or fins not returned to original manufactures specifications. For both residential and commercial AC units, another thing to consider is using a hail guard to screen the unit. Be sure to check with us before installing one on a unit as some hail guards actually negate warranties. However, because of the concentration of hail events in tornado alley, AC companies have come up with solutions to protect units from bent fins or coil damage from hail storms. If you are interested in a hail guard system for your AC unit, reach out to us to discuss.

It’s pretty uncommon for AC units to sustain large enough to dent the entire unit cover, but it is possible. In cases like this, we would consult with an adjuster to suggest solutions to remedy the cover. Clint Pharo is a local HVAC Contractor in Madison, WI. He and his team of HVAC professionals at Pharo Heating & Cooling cover a broad range of services in commercial buildings, new home construction, and residential homes and locally represent Bryant Heating and Cooling Products. Ben Lindberg is partner in a marketing and design house in Madison, WI called Lion Tree Group. Even though we can still expect some warm weather in the foreseeable future, the hottest days of the year are most likely behind us and temperatures will begin cooling down before we know it. During this transitional time of year, many people have questions about what to do with their air conditioners as they prepare for the upcoming heating season. Today we’re going to talk about air conditioner problems to look out for at the end of summer, how you can save energy as it gets cooler outside and what to do with your air conditioner when you’re done using it for the year!

To Cover or Not to Cover, That Is the Question People tend to have firm opinions about whether or not they should cover their air conditioner for winter, so here’s the skinny on both sides: Protects your condenser from the elements Provides cover from ice, debris, snow, etc. Prevents your AC from getting “weather-beaten” Benefits of Not Covering: Deters animals from seeing your AC as a cozy, protected home for the winter Prevents moisture from collecting inside your unit So how can you get the benefits of covering your air conditioner without dealing with the all of the potential consequences? One of the easiest ways you can do this is by just covering the top of your unit. Ideally, you want to prevent damage from above while also allowing for ventilation. You can either use a piece of plywood to protect the top of your unit from falling ice as well as snow accumulation or duct tape a garbage bag around just the top of your system to allow ventilation from the sides as well as cover from the top.

© 2016 Jackson Heating and Air ConditioningFrost King - Home Weatherization, Sealers & Insulation Products Not sure what product is right for you? Download our handy product selection guide: The entire line of Frost King Air Conditioner accessories will keep your house cool and your AC unit running at top efficiency throughout the entire summer. No more wasting money on drafts and leaks. In the Summer, Frost King AC insulation products and filters will keep the cool air in your house from leaking out, saving you money and energy. In the winter, Frost King AC Covers and insulation products can protect your AC unit from the elements and ready for the next summer. The EPA recommends, “in the winter, be sure to insulate room air conditioners from the outside with a tight-fitting A/C unit cover.” Frost King has an entire line of A/C covers to keep your window and central air units covered throughout the winter. Once your AC unit is covered for the winter, you can seal the window with the entire line of Frost King Window seal products.