South Louisiana...hot, south louisiana Central air unit is about 3 to 4 years old. Installed as new construction when the house was built. Yesterday afternoon we had a horrific, I mean, the worst thunder and lightning storm. We were at the epicenter of it. The lightning was striking and the sound of the thunder was simultaneous. Lights blinked off and on several times. Everything in the house seemed fine. We slept through the night and the AC worked. However midmorning today...nearly 24 hours after the thunder storm (if there is any connection at all.) the A/C stopped working. Here are the symptoms.... The fan seems to run constantly. In fact I can't get it to go off, even if I turn the breaker for the A/C off. The heater breaker, when it is turned off, will shut the fan off. (the whole system is electric, and not a heat pump) But then only with the heater breaker off, the fan will shut off. Just for kicks, I shorted the red and white wire on the thermostat and I heard the compressor groan like it wanted to come on, but at the same time, I smelled a terrible electrical smell...It didn't seem to come from the compressor area, I'm thinking it was up in the attic with the unit up there. Nothing looked amiss, but honestly, I don't know much of what I'm looking for. Any ideas...?? I will call my A/C guy in the morning, first thing, but in the mean time, curious minds want to know. Think it could have been a delayed reaction to the thunder/lightning storm?
Thanks. I'll be checking back for replies. Perry