How to Hurricane-Proof Your AC System

If you’re in Florida, you will already know all about hurricane season and you might even have a supply stockpile as well as a hurricane preparedness checklist.

However, not everyone remembers their AC system once hurricane season is underway, and that can be a costly error. It’s important to make sure your AC system is going to be able to weather the storm safely.

If you don’t take your AC into account when planning your hurricane preparedness checklist, you could face expensive repairs as well as the possibility of having to sweat in the heat once the storm danger has passed.

It’s well worth reading on to find out the best way to hurricane-proof your AC system when a tropical storm or hurricane is on its way.

Secure the Outdoor AC Unit

The first thing you should do is make sure the outdoor AC unit is secure, which means checking the bolts are sufficiently tightened.

You might also like to add hurricane straps to secure the condenser. Remove any debris you find around the unit, such as leaves or branches.

How to Prevent Flooding

One of the issues a hurricane can bring is the danger of flooding, and if you’re worried about this you might like to talk to an AC professional about elevating your AC unit higher than its usual location.

This will help stop water entering the unit, because if that does happen, you’re likely to face an expensive repair bill afterwards.

Cool Down the House

As every Floridian knows, power outages are common with hurricanes. A few hours before the storm is forecast to hit, it’s a good idea to turn down the thermostat several degrees, close all windows and doors, and close the blinds.

This way, if the power does fail and the AC doesn’t run, your home will stay cool for longer.

Switch Off the AC

Either unplug the AC unit or switch all the power off as the storm draws near. This helps you protect against damage from loose debris or electrical surges.

Your house should stay cool until the storm has passed if you lowered the temperature several hours beforehand.

Cover the Outdoor AC Unit

After turning off your AC system power, think about covering your outdoor unit with a tarp or with plywood to protect it from tree limbs, branches or other kinds of flying debris.

Make sure the cover wraps tightly around the unit and take it off as soon as the storm has passed, because keeping it covered for longer than necessary can result in mold and mildew growth.

Check for Damage

When the hurricane is gone and is no longer a threat, you might want to switch the AC back on again, but that’s not the first thing you should do. Instead, wait until you can do a thorough inspection.

Flooding, debris, and high winds can all cause damage, so check carefully for any damage from those. Also, make sure there are no disconnected wires or pipes, or physical damage such as water pooled inside the unit.

If you do discover any potential problems when examining your AC system, it’s a good idea to take photos for your insurance claim.

After that, get it touch with our experienced AC repair specialists, so we can repair the damage. And then you will be able to run your AC system safely again and keep your home cool.