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According to the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), the trade association representing HVAC and water heating equipment, building owners are instructed to take important safety precautions after a flood or hurricane with regard to their heating and cooling equipment. The association advises building owners that standing water can severely damage a building's heating and cooling equipment and recommends that flood-damaged HVAC equipment be replaced, rather than repaired. Because manufacturers' warranties do not cover failure or damage due to floods, winds, fires, lightning, accidents, corrosive environments (rust, etc.) or other conditions beyond the control of the company, we recommend that you contact any of the offices set up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as government aid may be available to help flood victims finance the replacement of flood-damaged HVAC equipment. Please visit www.fema.gov for information.
If HVAC equipment has been submerged or damaged by flood water, it is recommended that all inspection and replacement work be done by a qualified contractor and not the building owner. Furthermore, not only is gas equipment at risk, but that risk includes units using oil and electricity as the power source, which should be left to professionals to inspect.
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