It’s hard to believe hurricane season is already here. And with Southeast Texas’ strong history, it’s always a good idea to be prepared. Most people think of putting together a simple hurricane preparedness kit, but what about your HVAC unit? You may not know, but there are a few ways you can prepare your unit for the storm season ahead.
PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE BEFORE THE STORM
Keep Up With Maintenance
Regardless of whether a hurricane is predicted to make landfall near you, keeping up with your regularly scheduled HVAC maintenance is always recommended. Having your unit checked once a year can prevent costly repairs while keeping you and your family comfortable all year long.
Check And Cover Your Unit
A few days before the storm, check the surrounding area around your HVAC unit to ensure no objects could potentially damage it. Double-check your unit’s tie-downs to make sure they can withstand 160MPH winds. If not, you can upgrade them to endure the strongest of hurricanes.
Purchase a waterproof tarp to cover your unit to protect it from water damage. Make sure the unit is turned off before you cover it and remove it before turning it back on after the storm. You wouldn’t want to use the tarp any other time, but it’ll help keep heavy rain at bay and prevent mold and rust. In addition to a tarp, invest in a surge protector for your unit in case of a lightning strike.
Most HVAC units are on concrete slabs but double-check as this will help prevent your unit from sitting in water while on a solid foundation.
WHAT TO DO DURING THE HURRICANE
Once the hurricane arrives, turn off your HVAC unit. If not, your compressor could be at risk of being damaged. This could result in costly repairs later on down the road. If you choose to relocate, turn off the unit before you leave. If you decide to stick out the storm at home, keep cool by using ceiling and floor fans.
AFTER THE STORM
Once the storm has passed, inspect your unit to make sure there’s no apparent damage. If everything looks normal, it’s ok to turn your unit back on. This will help fight mold and humidity from the storm.
While a visual inspection might suffice in most cases, it’s best to contact an HVAC professional like us to do a thorough inspection of your unit to ensure there wasn’t any substantial damage.
As we Texans know, don’t wait until the last minute to start preparing for a hurricane. While the season officially begins in June, the worst storms usually surface anywhere around August to October. Contact us at 866-797-1535, or schedule an appointment online to make sure your unit is hurricane-ready. Visit our website for more information on our vast amount of services, including air conditioning, heating, duct cleaning, indoor air quality, maintenance, commercial HVAC, industrial, and marine services.
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