Hail Damage on Central Air Conditioning Units

Hail Damage

• When it hurtles out of the sky, hail can pound dents into automobile bodies, shatter windows and bruise anyone unlucky enough to be caught outside. Your central air conditioning unit also can be damaged in a hailstorm. The most common area to experience problems are the soft fins on the exterior of your unit. In storms with soft hail, fins can be hit with watery spatters, resulting in marks that last for months. In more severe hailstorms, the fins can be dented and crushed.

Issues

• The thin aluminum fins on your central air conditioning unit are how it disperses heat when it runs. Air blowing over the thin fins cools them, keeping the unit from overheating during times of heavy use, like the hottest days of summer. When the fins are dented and battered by hail, they cannot conduct heat as effectively. Your air conditioning unit cannot cool itself as well. Overheating can cause the unit to run less efficiently and even lead to it breaking down.

Solutions

• Hail damaged fins can be combed back into shape if the damage is not severe. This work should be performed by an HVAC professional to avoid the risk of further damage. During combing, the fins are straightened and wiped clean of any lingering debris. Severely damaged fins cannot be reshaped and must be replaced with new. Again, this should be performed by experience professionals to avoid damaging your central AC unit.

Considerations

• Damage caused by a hailstorm in the fall, winter or spring might not be noticed until your air conditioner stops working in the middle of summer. The cost of combing or replacing hail-damaged fins on your central air conditioner could be covered by the unit's warranty or by homeowner's insurance. If you live in a hail-prone area, install protective guards around your unit to protect the relatively delicate fins.