You may start to think that storm season is year around. Spring brings rain storms and tornadoes, while summer ushers in hurricane season. By the time the Atlantic hurricane season ends in November, blizzards are upon the north. Most recently the rains wreaked havoc on our loved ones in Louisiana. The well-being of your family during dangerous storms should invariably be priority. But even while the winds die down and the rain dries up, you still want to be sure that your home and family are safe. Check out these suggestions for preparing your home’s heating and air conditioning equipment for storm season.
Secure Your Air Conditioning
Your outdoor air conditioning equipment should be placed on a concrete pad and properly attached to keep the equipment from going airborne or washing away during a storm. If you reside in a climate that is subject to hurricanes, it may be required to fasten your AC with hurricane straps to keep the system safe from high winds. Ask your professional technician about anchoring your home’s AC during your Fall Tune-up.
Stop the Surge
You can’t really stop the surge that often occurs during a storm, but you can safeguard your heating and air conditioning equipment from it. Get a high-quality surge protector where any heavy 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 protect the electrical components in your HVAC equipment that the power surge could hurt. Remember to never touch any electrical components, and ask for expert help if you are not familiar with using surge protectors properly.
Provide Cover
Your loved ones and you need to seek shelter first and foremost, but if time allows, shut off your heating and cooling system and cover the outside 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
When the storm has passed, make sure the system is safe before starting up your heating and air conditioning system. To get started, make sure there are no signs of damage and get rid of any debris surrounding the equipment. Try to examine and verify there is no visible harm to any of the refrigerant or electrical lines running from your air conditioner. Call 847-306-8730 for a system inspection if seems like there is any damage or flooding to the system. Once you’ve had the equipment inspected by an expert to ensure safe operation, turn the HVAC system back on ASAP to help dry the home and prevent mold from getting into the system or ductwork.
If your system has had any damage, check out these recommendations on What To Do If Your Air Conditioning System Experiences Flooding or Hail Damage and then call Robinson Service Experts and learn about our membership options to help keep your HVAC system in working order all year long.