Threshold markers:

• Water level is less than 6 inches above the lowest floor level
• Water level is in the lower ducts but not into the air handler or equipment operating system
• The condenser unit may be reconditioned if the water level is less than 6 inches from the bottom of the appliance. If the condenser unit is located below the flood level, it will need to be replaced

Common damage:

• If HVAC equipment (furnace, air handler, heat pump) are located in the basement or the under-floor areas, the equipment should be reconditioned or replaced
• Water-inundated duct insulation should be removed and replaced
• If the duct insulation is integral to the ducts (duct board or secured interior duct liners), the ducts should be replaced
• All ducts that are being reused will require cleaning

The final element to assess is the HVAC system. In the 0% to 25% range, you may see a condenser unit that needs to be replaced or repaired, or there may be some damage to crawlspace ducts or other minor damage to the system. Keep in mind that the condenser unit that is often found on the outside of the house is not the entire HVAC system that must be assessed. Typically, there is also an interior unit that includes a furnace, as well as ductwork to circulate the air.