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 starts the hurricane season. Before the Atlantic hurricane season tapers off in November, snowstorms are upon the north. The safety of your family during dangerous storms should absolutely take priority. But even while the winds die down and the rain dries up, you still want to be sure that your home and family remain unharmed. Check out these recommendations for preparing your home’s heating and cooling equipment for storm season.
Secure Your Air Conditioner
Your outside air conditioning equipment should be placed on a concrete pad and properly attached to prevent the equipment from being thrown in the air or washing away during a storm. If you live in a climate that is subject to hurricanes, it may be necessary to fasten your equipment with hurricane straps to protect the equipment from high winds. Ask your expert technician about fastening down your home’s air conditioning system during your Fall Tune-up.
Stop the Surge
You can’t actually stop the surge that often occurs during a storm, but you can protect your Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment from it. Install a high-quality surge protector where any heavy appliances, such as a furnace, are plugged into a standard wall outlet, to automatically shut down your heating system if there’s a spike in the line voltage. This will help protect the electrical components in your HVAC equipment that the power surge could damage. Be sure never to touch any electrical components, and ask for professional help if you are not accustomed to using surge protectors properly.
Provide Cover
You and your family need to find shelter first and foremost, but if time permits, shut off your heating and air conditioning system and cover the outdoor equipment with a tarp. Before you turn your system back on after the storm, be sure to remove the tarp and remove any debris.
This, Too, Shall Pass
Once the storm is over, be sure the system is safe before starting up your heating and air conditioning system. To begin, confirm there are no indications of damage and remove any debris from around the system. Try to check and verify there is no visible harm to any of the refrigerant or electrical lines running from your air conditioning system. Call 614-334-3192 for an AC inspection if it looks like there may have been any damage or flooding to the system. Once you’ve had the equipment inspected by an expert to ensure safe working, turn the HVAC system back on immediately to help dry the home and restrict mold from getting into the system 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 Stevenson Service Experts and learn about our membership options to help keep your HVAC system in working order all seasons long.
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