Prepping Your Home’s HVAC Equipment for Storms 

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.