HVAC Hacks: Tips for Novices and New Homeowners

Hurricane Season and Your Air Conditioning: What You Need to Know

With hurricane season rapidly approaching, homeowners who have just moved into hurricane-prone areas are looking for ways to protect their homes and property from damage. One of the things that many homeowners overlook in their hurricane preparation is the air conditioning unit connected to their home. Since the areas most prone to hurricanes are also areas where air conditioning is essential for high summer temperatures, it's important that you do what you can to protect your air conditioning system from an incoming hurricane. Here's a look at some air conditioning protection tips to help you get started.

Shut The System Down

The very first step you should take when a hurricane is approaching is to shut down your air conditioning system and turn the breaker off. This might seem to be counter-intuitive because of the warm temperatures, but the fact is that hurricanes come with lightning and power surge risks that could destroy your air conditioner and potentially put your home at risk for an electrical fire. Eliminate this risk and ensure your air conditioner's safety by not only turning off the system but also cutting the power feed to it by turning off the breaker.

Protect The Air Conditioner

Your air conditioning condenser is usually installed outside, which is great for minimizing noise but puts the unit at risk for damage in a hurricane. You'll want to take every possible step to protect that condenser from damage during the storm.

Since the system isn't running, you can safely cover it before the storm comes in. You have a few options for covering the unit. A tarp wrapped around the unit and tightly secured will help to keep rain and some debris out of the unit, which is a good start. However, a tarp isn't going to protect the unit from high-speed debris impact or similar threats.

Talk with your HVAC services technician about an enclosure that you can put over your air conditioning unit ahead of a hurricane. Metal enclosures are typically the strongest, and you can anchor them to the concrete pad that your condenser sits on. Your HVAC services technician can help you explore your options and find a cover that's best for your unit.

Conduct A Post-Storm Inspection

After the storm threat has passed, you'll want to call your HVAC services technician to inspect the system before you turn it back on. This inspection is essential because there could be damage that you can't see. Your HVAC services technician is a trained professional, and they know the types of damage to look for after a hurricane. Make sure that your air conditioner is free from damage and safe to run before you start it up again.

To learn more about HVAC systems and protecting them from hurricanes, contact a professional today. 


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