It feels like storm season is every season. Spring brings rain storms and tornadoes, while summer kicks off hurricane season. As the Atlantic hurricane season ends in November, blizzards are upon the north. 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 want to make sure that your home and family are safe. See our tips for preparing your home’s heating and cooling equipment for storm season.
Anchor Your AC
Your outdoor air conditioning equipment should be installed on a concrete pad and properly secured to prevent the equipment from being thrown in the air or washing away during a storm. If you live in a climate that produces hurricanes, it may be required to fasten your air conditioner with hurricane straps to protect the equipment from high winds. Ask your professional technician about anchoring your home’s AC during your AC Tune-up.
Stop the Surge
You can’t actually stop the surge that often occurs during a storm, but you can protect your heating and air conditioning 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 off your heating system if there’s an increase in the line voltage. This will help protect 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 time allows, turn off your HVAC system and cover the outdoor equipment with a tarp. Before you turn your system back on after the storm, make sure you remove the tarp and remove any debris.
This, Too, Shall Pass
Once the storm is over, make sure the system is safe before turning your heating and cooling system back on. First, make sure there are no signs of damage and get rid of 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 conditioner. Call 301-747-3140 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 technician to ensure safe operation, turn the HVAC system back on as soon as possible to help dry the home and restrict mold from getting into the system or ductwork.
If there was any damage to your equipment, check out these tips on What To Do If Your Air Conditioning System Experiences Flooding or Hail Damage and then call A-Plus and find out about our membership options to help keep your HVAC system in working order all seasons long.
Student loan debt across the nation has been a growing concern for a long time. Today’s total student debt is more than $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re considering your academic journey or counseling someone who is, it’s important to weigh... Continue reading
By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts With autumn on the horizon, homeowners will soon be getting ready for the winter weather ahead. Cold weather places even more demand on your heating and cooling system. To prepare your heating unit for the heavy work it will soon be taking on, regular HVAC... Continue reading
The HVAC business is in a nonstop state of change. With technological advancements and ever-important environmental concerns, the skills required of HVAC professionals are evolving faster than ever. Preparing to adapt and satisfy these new challenges is crucial for anyone hoping to join the... Continue reading
© 2023 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.