Prepping Your Home’s HVAC Equipment for Storms
You may start to think that storm season is year around. Spring arrives with 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 welfare of your family during dangerous storms should always take priority. But even as the winds die down and the rain dries up, you still need to make sure that your home and family remain unharmed. Check out these suggestions for preparing your home’s cooling and heating equipment for storm season.
Anchor Your Air Conditioning
Your outside AC equipment should be installed on a concrete pad and properly anchored to avoid the system from going up in the air or washing away in a storm. If you live in a climate that produces hurricanes, it may be required to fasten your air conditioner with hurricane straps to protect the system from high winds. Ask your expert technician about securing your home’s air conditioning system during your Fall Tune-up.
Stop the Surge
You can’t actually stop the surge that often comes during a storm, but you can safeguard your Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment from it. Install a high-quality surge protector where any large appliances, a furnace for example, are plugged into a standard wall outlet, to automatically shut off your heating system if there’s a jump in the line voltage. This will help shield the electrical components in your HVAC equipment that the power surge could damage. Be sure never to touch any electrical components, and seek professional help if you are not familiar with using surge protectors properly.
Provide Cover
Your family and you need to acquire shelter first and foremost, but if there is time, shut down your HVAC system and cover the outdoor equipment with a tarp. Before turning your system back on after the storm, be sure to remove the tarp and clean up any debris.
This, Too, Shall Pass
Once the storm is over, ensure the system is safe before starting up your heating and air conditioning system. First, verify there are no signs of damage and get rid of any debris surrounding the equipment. Try to examine and verify there is no noticeable harm to any of the refrigerant or electrical lines running from your air conditioner. Call 614-334-3192 for an AC inspection if appears there has been any damage or flooding to the system. Once you’ve had the equipment checked by a technician to ensure safe function, turn the heating and air conditioning system back on ASAP to help dry the home and restrict mold from getting into your 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 Stevenson Service Experts and find out about our membership options to help keep your heating and cooling system in working order through all the seasons.
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