[asymptote]

Hi:

During a heavy rain event a few days ago, I had water backup through my basement flood drain up to 5 inches which I had rent a sump pump to get rid of the water. It rained throughout the night but I only realized basement water when I woke up in the morning.

My freezer, cloth dryer, and computer all stopped working. My A/C was on through the night but I turned it off when I woke up and haven't turn it back on since. I threw away the air filter and replaced it with a new one. The basement is now fully dried (relative humidity about 50 as indicated by my LG 65 pint dehumidifier).

My concern is whether I can operate the A/C again as normal. I called my A/C Heating installer and they said 5" wouldn't affect the electrical so I can use it as normal. But they did try to sell me a Maintenance check, one-time only for furnace at $100. I am not sure I should shell out the cash since I recently realized I may not have basement drain backup endorsement in my homeowner policy and thus budgeting is necessary.

Thank you all for your help.

[hvac1000]

I called my A/C Heating installer and they said 5" wouldn't affect the electrical so I can use it as normal

Turn it on. See if it will run.

[asymptote]

It seems to run fine as before the rain event. My fear was whether the water could cripple any component causing a reduction in efficiency while appearing normal to layman like myself, and whether it could spell trouble down the road. I don't like to deal with uncertainty so I apologize if this concern is beyond the scope of this forum.

[hvac1000]

I don't like to deal with uncertainty so I apologize if this concern is beyond the scope of this forum.

I deal with uncertainty every day about the time I wake up. When I find out that everything is still working properly it goes away. No reason to apologize we just give the straitest answer possible.

[asymptote]

Thanks hvac1000 for the feedback.

[asymptote]

Called the Heating - A/C service to check on my A/C because the house didn't have any cold air. It turns out that the A/C unit was not operating because a contact switch had a bug sandwiched inside, preventing it from turning on. Service person removed the bug & everything was running again. Service person also checked my freon level and system pressure. No problem found.

Total cost for A/C diagnosis was $128. Time: 1/2 hour.

[wmproop]

called the Heating - A/C service to check on my A/C because the house didn't have any cold air. It turns that the A/C unit was not operating b/c a contact switch had a bug sandwiched inside, preventing it turning on. Service person removed the bug & everything was running again. Service person also checked my freon level and system pressure. No problem found.

Total cost for A/C diagnosis was $128. Time: 1/2 hour.

You got a pretty good deal,, you now have a/c and living comfy, without his knowledge and know-how you wouldn`t have it working,

[asymptote]

Checking the A/C unit contactor relay switch is a task homeowner can do. When the thermostat want the A/C to kick on, it sends a signal for the plates of the contactor relay switch to come together, thus turning on the A/C. If there is any object stuck in between the plates, it will prevent full contact. To perform this check, first turn off the A/C breaker at the main electrical panel as a precaution. Remove the A/C unit side cover. Look for a contactor relay switch and inspect for obstruction. If yes, remove it. My service person said this is a rare problem but it does occur if the location of the outdoor A/C unit is nearby a garden or plants where insects congregate.

[wmproop]

Quote) To perform this check, first turn off the A/C breaker at the main electrical panel as a precaution. Remove the A/C unit side cover. Look for a contactor relay switch and inspect for obstruction. If yes, remove it.,

When teaching this lesson we should also advise the person to also kill the power to the furnace also,, the transformer in the furnace is usually what supplies the low voltage power that is sent to the contacter,, touching the low voltage wire together or grounding them against the condenser cabnet could cause the person to blow the transformer,costing them another problem and more bucks