Tips To Prepare Hvac Units During Hurricanes/Stormy Weather

Hurricane season is just another way of Mother Nature to remind us who’s in charge. While you can’t control it, it is essential to minimize the risk by taking protective measures beforehand.

If you live in a risky area, it is likely that you already have a checklist prepared for basic preparations that you go through annually as the hurricane season approaches. But if you are new to such an area or did not know that preparing your HVAC unit for severe weather is also important, we have got you covered.

Protecting your HVAC system from storm damage is essential to avoid long-term problems and a huge hit to your bank account. Here are a few tips to help you prepare your HVAC units during hurricanes.

1. Prepare For A Power Failure

It is no surprise that with bad weather comes destruction, and power lines are most vulnerable in such cases. Therefore, it is very common to have power outages, and you need to be prepared for it. The first thing you need to do is to make sure your home or facility is at the right temperature before the storm hits. Turn your HVAC system down a few degrees lower than you normally keep it and keep all of the blinds, doors, and windows closed as much as possible.

Since power failures can hinder your daily activities, we recommend keeping a backup generator in your home that gives you sufficient power for your home’s important things to lessen the effects.

2. Get Your System Inspected

It is highly recommended to get your HVAC system inspected before the hurricane hits to save money and headaches in so many ways. The purpose of this inspection is to ensure that all of the bolts are tightened on the unit, it is strapped down with hurricane or condenser straps, all mechanical and electrical parts on the indoor and outdoor unit are in good health, and the outdoor unit is at a decent height if flooding is expected to avoid water damage.

Ignoring even the smallest of problems with your system can make the problem worse, and therefore it is always a good idea to have a professional HVAC MRO team inspect your system and catch the problem early.

3. Turn Off The System During The Storm

With a raging hurricane heading towards your place, it is essential that you turn off your HVAC system and unplug it, as there are high chances that a lightning strike near a local electric pole can lead to a surge of electricity bursting through the power lines and your system is not made to withstand that much electricity. Turning off and unplugging your system will protect it against any power fluctuations that can occur.

Although such instances are rare, it is always good practice to be extra cautious.

4. Install Surge Protection Device

Surge Protection Devices(SPDs) are used for electrical devices and work similarly to circuit breakers. Since lightning can wreck up your HVAC unit by knocking out circuits, we recommend investing in a good surge protection device so it takes a hit and not your system!

5. Protect Outdoor Unit

With our extensive experience in the HVAC Maintenance, Repair, and Operations industry, we have come across countless cases where people overlook the importance of securing the outdoor unit and end up facing tremendous damage. Usually, hurricanes' force-winds can range anywhere from 74mph to 156mph. With such devastating wind speeds, it is very common for HVAC outdoor units to get thrown around if they are not strapped down properly. In other cases, other flying objects can also damage your system. Therefore, to avoid any such damage, make sure you cover your system with anything sturdy that would work as a shield. You can contact us if you need assistance, our HVAC experts would love to help you out.

Stormy weather experience can be quite daunting, but preparing your HVAC system beforehand can significantly save you time and money.

Get In Touch With An Expert

If you’re not sure whether your HVAC system is safe or you need assistance from experts, feel free to call ProServices Supply at (877) 776-8228 or reach us out at www.proservicessupply.com for HVAC repairing and protecting services. We have a team of professional HVAC experts on the ground that not only provide reliable but also fast and effective solutions to your cooling and heating issues.

We are here to help you stay safe and dry during this hurricane season!