Prepping Your Home’s HVAC Equipment for Storms 

Sometimes it feels like storm season is all year. Spring comes through with rain storms and tornadoes, while summer kicks off hurricane season. By the time the Atlantic hurricane season tapers off in November, blizzards are upon the north. The well-being of your family during treacherous storms should absolutely 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 remain unharmed. Here are some tips for preparing your home’s cooling and heating equipment for storm season. 

Anchor Your AC 

Your outdoor AC equipment should be placed on a concrete pad and properly secured to avoid the equipment from being thrown in the air or washing away in a storm. If you live in a climate that is subject to hurricanes, it may be critical to fasten your AC with hurricane straps to keep the system safe from high winds. Ask your professional technician about anchoring your home’s air conditioner during your Fall Tune-up. 

Stop the Surge 

You can’t literally avoid the surge that often occurs during a storm, but you can shield your heating and cooling equipment from it. Get a high-quality surge protector where any sizable appliances, such as a furnace, are plugged into a standard wall outlet, to automatically shut off your heating system if there’s a spike in the line voltage. This will help protect the electrical components in your heating and cooling equipment that the power surge could damage. Make sure you never touch any electrical components, and request professional help if you are not comfortable using surge protectors properly. 

Provide Cover 

Your loved ones and you need to seek shelter first and foremost, but if time permits, shut down your HVAC system and cover the outside equipment with a tarp. Before turning 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 your heating and cooling system back on. First, confirm there are no signs of damage and remove any debris from around the system. Try to check and confirm there is no apparent harm to any of the refrigerant or electrical lines running from your AC. Call 226-773-3357 for an AC inspection if it looks like there may have been any damage or flooding to the air conditioning. Once you’ve had the equipment inspected by an expert to ensure safe working, turn the heating and air conditioning system back on immediately to help dry the home and limit mold from getting into your equipment 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 Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts and ask about our membership options to help keep your heating and air conditioning system in working order through all the seasons.