HVAC Service Techs

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Recently we had some storms that produced some good size hail. Several stores that I service received damage to the condenser coils on the AC units and refrigeration units. I have spent several hours with a fin comb and still lots to do. A couple of units the fins are so thin, they rip out instead of being straightened. I have even tried the pet brush trick, but with no luck using it either.<br /><br />I'm just wondering if insurance should pay to have the condenser coils changed?<br /><br />My other question. Is there a guard or something to deflect hail stones from hitting the coils? I wish installers would pay attention to the direction of storms prior to setting these units in place. A few stores have the coils pointed north where very rarely a storm comes from. These units have no damage to the coils. Also these units pointed north have less problems with high head pressure compared to the ones that are pointed south. Hopefully these will be covered by insurance. I just hope it is not me having to replace these rascals. Definetly a two man job and I don't have any help.<br /><br />Any ideas on a hail stone deflector?

 

[Marc J.]

Re: HVAC Service Techs

It sounds like a insurance claim to me SS. I had a bad hail storm hit my house back in 1998. Allstate cut me a check to replace my roof, and the gutters and window screens on the back side. We had like 15+ minutes of golfball-sized hail!<br /><br />As you probably know, anything built to cover or shade the condensing unit should be like 48" above it. Any closer and it will interfere with airflow, unless it's one of those side-fan models.<br /><br />Check with your local tech schools. Maybe a HVAC instructor could point out a few second year students willing to help.