AC Units Hit by Flood Water
When Sandy pushed Raritan Bay over the bayshore in October 2012, the surge along the bay ran an estimated 4 to 9 feet, and outdoor units, basement furnaces and boilers went under. The township's floodplain office notes that some areas have flooded several times. If water reached your equipment, leave it off and call (732) 858-0915.
Why not to just turn it back on
- Salt water left in the electrical box can short wiring and controls
- Silt in the condenser coil blocks airflow and holds salt against the metal
- A flooded compressor or fan motor can fail the first time it starts
- A furnace or air handler that went under can have wet controls and a soaked blower motor
Let a contractor open the panels, test the wiring and decide what can be cleaned and what has to be replaced. Take photos of the water line on the equipment for your insurance claim before anything gets moved.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Inspection and electrical testing after a flood | $125 to $275 |
| Condenser coil flush and electrical cleanup | $250 to $650 |
| Fan motor or control board replaced | $400 to $1,100 |
| Raised platform or wall bracket | $400 to $1,500 |
| Full outdoor unit replacement | $4,000 to $7,500 |
Typical ranges. The contractor prices the work after testing what the water touched.
Raising equipment out of harm's way
Middletown's floodplain office advises owners in flooded areas to raise the furnace, water heater, air conditioner and other utilities above flood levels. For the outdoor unit that means a raised platform or a wall bracket. Inside, it can mean moving the air handler or boiler from the basement to an upper floor or the attic.
The Army Corps of Engineers has been building flood risk work for Port Monmouth since Sandy, where about 750 homes were damaged or destroyed. Even with that work, raising the equipment is protection a homeowner can add on their own lot. The township posts base flood elevations online, and the contractor can use them to pick the height.
Keep it off and call. A contractor can test it before it runs.
(732) 858-0915Questions about Flood-Damaged AC in Middletown
- Will homeowners insurance pay for a flooded AC?
- Standard homeowners policies usually exclude flood. A separate flood policy may cover it. Call your agent before you approve a replacement.
- How high should I raise the outdoor unit?
- Above the base flood elevation for your lot at the least. The contractor and the township can tell you what applies.
Free to call. A person answers 24 hours a day and connects you with a local contractor.
(732) 858-0915