Q: What should I do if lightning strikes and burns out my electrical HVAC components?
A:
When lightning strikes make sure that all equipment is turned off, check for fire and smoke. Call the fire department, and the power company. Once the power company restores power, you should call an electrician to make necessary repairs and to be sure that it is OK to turn the electricity back on. Next we recommend contacting a licensed HVAC contractor to check the air conditioning system (cooling and heating components) before you turn the system back on.
This picture was taken after a lightning strike
A technician will be able to check the wiring inside the equipment to make sure that there are no visible signs of damage, and diagnose the system for other issues that may have occurred. Hopefully the system can be repaired so you can get back up and running, it is important to be sure the system is safe to run.
There are electronic components inside your condenser and furnace or air handler, it is important to have them all checked. Sometimes the damage may mean that the unit needs to be replaced completely. It’s better to be safe!