How to prepare your HVAC system for hurricane season

Central Florida has been lucky for the last few hurricane seasons, but we all remember Hurricane Irma, our most recent major hurricane, which caused widespread power outages, flooding, and damage to homes. And if you’re new to the area, your ears might have perked up when the NOAA predicted an above-average hurricane season for 2022, which begs the question… is this the year for another big one? And while hurricanes can be life-threatening, they can also be highly inconvenient, especially when power outages or wind take down HVAC systems. It is almost unbearable to deal with multiple days of 90° plus temps in your home, so here’s what to do now to lessen the chance of melting away after a storm:

Before the storm

Before a storm is even on the way, head outside and physically inspect your compressor. First, be sure it is sitting on a concrete pad to keep it above any pooling water. Next, look for tie-downs, which are metal brackets that screw your condenser into the concrete. If you don’t have them, you can install them yourself, or give us a call and we would be happy to help. Now, find anything in the area that could be picked up by the wind and used as a projectile. Secure any loose branches, patio furniture, yard tools, loose shutters, awnings, etc. 

Finally, just before the storm approaches, wrap your unit with a heavy-duty tarp to protect it from rain. (Keep in mind, that we only recommend this during hurricanes, because a unit that is covered for too long will begin to develop mold and rust.)

During the storm

A few hours before the worst of the storm, crank down the temperature to get the house nice and cold. Then turn off all power to the HVAC unit, both at the thermostat and at the circuit breaker, and keep the power off until the storm passes. Use ceiling and floor fans to keep the air moving in your home.

After the storm

When it is safe to go outside, physically inspect your unit for any damage from wind and debris and also look for flooding. If any of this has happened, do not turn your AC unit back on. Doing so could cause further damage to the unit or an electric shock. At that point, we recommend that you call a professional technician to inspect the unit.

How to stay cool when the AC is out

If your AC is out after the storm due to damage or a power outage, open the windows to get air circulating. If you’ve invested in a generator and a portable AC unit, you’ll be thanking yourself at this point. You can gather the family into the main room of the house near the portable unit to keep everyone cool. Remember to never use a generator indoors and to follow all generator safety guidelines.

Hurricanes can be disruptive, but hopefully, these simple steps will minimize damage to your heating and cooling system and get your house cool after the storm as soon as possible. If we can help with tie-downs, routine maintenance, or help after the storm, please get in touch on the phone, by email, or on our site.