Prepping Your Home’s HVAC Equipment for Storms 

You may start to think that storm season is year around. Spring brings rain storms and tornadoes, while summer kicks off hurricane season. Before the Atlantic hurricane season tapers off in November, blizzards are upon the north. The safety of your family during dangerous storms should always take priority. But even as the winds die down and the rain dries up, you still want to make sure that your home and family are safe. Here are some suggestions for preparing your home’s heating and cooling equipment for storm season. 

Anchor Your Air Conditioning 

Your outdoor air conditioning equipment should be installed on a concrete pad and properly secured to prevent the system from going airborne or washing away during a storm. If you live in a climate that is subject to hurricanes, it may be necessary to fasten your air conditioner 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, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment from it. Install a high-quality surge protector where any large appliances, such as a furnace, are plugged into a standard wall outlet, to automatically shut off your heating system if there’s an increase in the line voltage. This will help shield the electrical components in your HVAC equipment that the power surge could hurt. Be sure never to touch any electrical components, and ask for professional help if you are not familiar with using surge protectors properly. 

Provide Cover 

You and your family need to seek shelter first and foremost, but if there is time, turn off your HVAC 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 remove any debris. 

This, Too, Shall Pass 

Once the storm is over, be sure the system is safe before turning your heating and cooling system back on. First, make sure there are no signs of damage and clean any debris from around the equipment. Try to check and confirm there is no visible harm to any of the refrigerant or electrical lines running from your air conditioning system. Call 518-417-2938 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 equipment checked by a technician to ensure safe operation, turn the HVAC system back on ASAP to help dry the home and restrict mold from getting into the system or ductwork. 

If your equipment has suffered any damage, check out these recommendations on What To Do If Your Air Conditioning System Experiences Flooding or Hail Damage and then call Roland J. Down Service Experts and find out about our membership options to help keep your HVAC system in working order through all the seasons.