Can a Power Outage Damage an AC Unit? Germantown, WI, Experts Explain

Germantown gets the occasional bad storm, and it’s not uncommon for the power to go out in this nasty weather. If your air conditioner will no longer work after an outage, you might be wondering, “Can a power outage damage an AC unit?”

Below, you’ll discover the answer. 



We’ve included some troubleshooting tips that may get your unit up and running again. However, you never need to wait to call us for AC repair in Germantown, WI! Learn more below.

Can a Power Outage Damage an AC Unit?

You’re in the middle of a big storm, and the power goes out in your Germantown home. When it comes back on, your air conditioner won’t work. Is it damaged or just temperamental?

It’s not the power outage itself that can damage cooling systems – it is the surge that comes after. 

When the power returns, it can release a large flow of electricity. The voltage is too much for your air conditioner (and other appliances) to handle in one go. As a result, your air conditioner’s delicate components can, indeed, suffer damage.

What Damage Can a Power Surge Do to Your Air Conditioner in Germantown, WI?

Can a power outage damage an AC unit? It sure can. Look out for these issues when a power outage-induced surge affects your cooling system.

Programming Failure

Your air conditioner contains a small computer of sorts that tells the system when to turn on and off. This is how your unit “knows” when to kick on as you adjust the thermostat. In a power outage, the air conditioner’s programming sometimes reverts to factory settings, which means that it forgets what it’s supposed to do.

The owner’s manual for your system should contain instructions on how to reprogram it. If you’ve lost the manual or find the process too complicated, Professional Services' HVAC technicians can help.

Compressor Failure

In a power outage, your air conditioner’s compressor is at the greatest risk of damage. This part is responsible for moving air into the refrigerant, as well as compressing the refrigerant to reduce its volume.

If your air conditioner is running when the power goes out, the surge afterward can cause the compressor to overheat. Depending on the damage, you might need to replace the part or even the entire unit.

Other Possible Air Conditioning Damage

A power fluctuation can damage your cooling system in a few other ways. For example, it may cause circuit breaker damage that will require the help of an electrician to fix.

Power surges can also cause your unit’s variable speed motor to fail. This motor is responsible for increasing and decreasing the system’s output on demand. If it fails, your air conditioner might only run at one speed or not at all.

Your unit’s blower motor may fail as well. Without the blower motor, the cooling system won’t be able to blow any air through the vents.

What To Do for Your Air Conditioning System After a Power Outage

If your air conditioner won’t turn on after a power outage, inspect the circuit breaker. Resetting it might fix the problem.

Next, look at the thermostat. If it has no power, this is a sign that the power surge may have damaged the unit. You may be able to reset the thermostat to get things working again. 

If that doesn’t help, you’ll need to call for professional cooling repairs.

How To Protect Your Air Conditioner From Future Outages

Can a power outage damage an AC unit? Yes, but you have a few options for future AC unit protection. Start with the following tips:

• Installing a surge protector is one of the smartest things you can do for your air conditioner. This device prevents power surges from reaching and damaging your system.
• During a storm, don’t run your air conditioner if you can help it. There's a higher risk of damage if it’s running when the power goes out.

Don’t forget to schedule regular maintenance for your air conditioner. Your unit will handle power outages better if it’s working properly in the first place.

Call Our Experts in Germantown, WI, for AC Repair

Can a power outage damage an AC unit? Unfortunately, yes. 



Has your air conditioner stopped working after an outage? Maybe you’d like to make sure your system is ready before the next big storm. Whether you’re having a problem turning on your AC or it has stopped blowing cold air, call Professional Services.