Prepping Your Home's HVAC Equipment for Storms

It feels like storm season is every season. Spring comes through with rain storms and tornadoes, while summer ushers in hurricane season. Before the Atlantic hurricane season tapers off in November, snowstorms are upon the north. Last month the storms caused devastation for our loved ones in Louisiana. The well-being of your family during dangerous storms should always take priority. But even when the winds die down and the rain dries up, you still want to make sure that your home and family are safe. See our recommendations for preparing your home’s heating and cooling equipment for storm season.

Secure Your Air Conditioner

Your outside AC equipment should be placed on a concrete pad and properly attached to prevent the air conditioner from being thrown in the air or washing away during a storm. If you reside in a climate that is subject to hurricanes, it may be necessary to fasten your equipment with hurricane straps to protect the equipment from high winds. Ask your professional technician about fastening down your home’s AC during your Fall Tune-up.

Stop the Surge

You can’t literally stop the surge that often occurs during a storm, but you can shield your heating and cooling equipment from it. Install a high-quality surge protector where any heavy appliances, like a furnace, are plugged into a standard wall outlet, to automatically shut down your heating system if there’s an increase in the line voltage. This will help shield the electrical components in your heating and cooling equipment that the power surge could harm. Make sure you never touch any electrical components, and ask for expert help if you are not familiar with using surge protectors properly.

Provide Cover

Your family and you need to seek shelter first and foremost, but if there is time, turn off your heating and cooling system and cover the outdoor equipment with a tarp. Before turning your system back on after the storm, make sure you remove the tarp and remove any debris.

This, Too, Shall Pass

After the storm ends, be sure the system is safe before turning your heating and cooling system back on. First, confirm there are no indications of damage and remove any debris from around the equipment. Try to evaluate and confirm there is no apparent harm to any of the refrigerant or electrical lines running from your air conditioner. Call 561-629-1826 for a system inspection if seems like there is any damage or flooding to the equipment. Once you’ve had the equipment checked by a professional to ensure safe working, turn the heating and cooling system back on immediately to help dry the home and limit mold from getting into the system or ductwork.

If there was any damage to your equipment, check out these recommendations on What To Do If Your Air Conditioning System Experiences Flooding or Hail Damage and then call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning and ask about our membership options to help keep your HVAC system in working order all year long.