Prepping Your Home's HVAC Equipment for Storms
You may start to think that storm season is year around. Spring comes through with rain storms and tornadoes, while summer kicks off hurricane season. As the Atlantic hurricane season ends in November, snowstorms are upon the north. Last month the storms wreaked havoc on our family in Louisiana. The well-being of your family during dangerous storms should always take priority. But even as the winds die down and the rain dries up, you still need to make sure that your home and family remain unharmed. Here are some suggestions for preparing your home’s cooling and heating equipment for storm season.
Attach Your Air Conditioning
Your outside AC equipment should be installed on a concrete pad and properly attached to avoid the system from going up in the air or washing away during a storm. If you live in a climate that is subject to hurricanes, it may be critical to fasten your equipment with hurricane straps to protect the equipment from high winds. Ask your air conditioning technician about anchoring your home’s AC during your AC Tune-up.
Stop the Surge
You can’t literally stop the surge that often occurs during a storm, but you can safeguard your Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment from it. Get a high-quality surge protector where any heavy appliances, like a furnace, are plugged into a standard wall outlet, to automatically turn off your heating system if there’s a jump in the line voltage. This will help safeguard the electrical components in your heating and cooling equipment that the power surge could damage. Be sure never to touch any electrical components, and seek professional help if you are not accustomed to using surge protectors properly.
Provide Cover
Your loved ones and you need to seek shelter first and foremost, but if time allows, shut down your heating and air conditioning system and cover the outdoor equipment with a tarp. Prior to turning your equipment back on after the storm, make sure you remove the tarp and get rid of any debris.
This, Too, Shall Pass
When the storm has passed, be sure the system is safe before turning your heating and cooling system back on. First, make sure there are no indications of damage and get rid of any debris from around the equipment. Try to check and verify there is no apparent harm to any of the refrigerant or electrical lines running from your AC. Call 912-208-2399 for a system inspection if it looks like there may have been any damage or flooding to the air conditioning. Once you’ve had the system checked by an expert to ensure safe operation, turn the heating and cooling system back on immediately to help dry the home and restrict mold from getting into the equipment or ductwork.
If your system has had any damage, check out these suggestions on What To Do If Your Air Conditioning System Experiences Flooding or Hail Damage and then call Coastal Service Experts and find out about our membership options to help keep your heating and cooling system in working order through all the seasons.
