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. Most recently the floods caused devastation for our friends in Louisiana. The welfare of your family during perilous storms should absolutely take priority. But even while the winds die down and the rain dries up, you still need to be sure that your home and family are safe. Here are some 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 prevent the system from going up in the air or washing away over the course of a storm. If you reside in a climate that generates hurricanes, it may be required to fasten your equipment with hurricane straps to protect the system from high winds. Ask your expert technician about fastening down your home’s air conditioning system during your AC Tune-up.
Stop the Surge
You can’t really stop the surge that often comes 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 an increase in the line voltage. This will help shield the electrical components in your heating and air conditioning equipment that the power surge could damage. Remember to never touch any electrical components, and request expert help if you are not familiar with using surge protectors properly.
Provide Cover
Your loved ones and you need to find shelter first and foremost, but if there is time, shut down your heating and cooling system and cover the outside system with a tarp. Before you turn your system back on after the storm, be sure to remove the tarp and get rid of any debris.
This, Too, Shall Pass
When the storm has passed, ensure the system is safe before turning on your HVAC system. First, verify there are no indications of damage and clean any debris from around the equipment. Try to check and make sure there is no noticeable harm to any of the refrigerant or electrical lines running from your air conditioning system. Call 469-250-0932 for an equipment inspection if it looks like there may have been any damage or flooding to the system. Once you’ve had the system checked by an expert to ensure safe function, turn the HVAC system back on immediately to help dry the home and prevent mold from getting into the system or ductwork.
If there was any damage to your equipment, check out these recommendations on What To Do If Your Air Conditioning System Experiences Flooding or Hail Damage and then call Levy & Son Service Experts and ask about our membership options to help keep your heating and air conditioning system in working order all year long.