Prepping Your Home’s HVAC Equipment for Storms 

Sometimes it feels like storm season is all year. Spring brings rain storms and tornadoes, while summer ushers in hurricane season. Before the Atlantic hurricane season ends in November, snowfalls are upon the north. The well-being of your family during hazardous storms should absolutely take priority. But even when the winds die down and the rain dries up, you still need to make sure that your home and family are safe. See our recommendations for preparing your home’s heating and air conditioning equipment for storm season. 

Attach Your Air Conditioning 

Your outside AC equipment should be installed on a concrete pad and properly anchored to avoid the equipment from going airborne or washing away over the course of a storm. If you reside in a climate that generates hurricanes, it may be critical to fasten your air conditioner with hurricane straps to keep the equipment safe from high winds. Ask your air conditioning technician about fastening down your home’s air conditioner during your Fall Tune-up. 

Stop the Surge 

You can’t really prevent the surge that often comes during a storm, but you can protect your heating and cooling equipment from it. Install a high-quality surge protector where any large appliances, like a furnace, 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 protect the electrical components in your HVAC equipment that the power surge could damage. Remember to never touch any electrical components, and seek a technician’s help if you are not accustomed to using surge protectors properly. 

Provide Cover 

Your loved ones and you need to find shelter first and foremost, but if time allows, shut down your HVAC system and cover the outside equipment with a tarp. Prior to turning your equipment back on after the storm, make sure you remove the tarp and remove any debris. 

This, Too, Shall Pass 

After the storm ends, make sure the system is safe before turning your heating and cooling system back on. First, make sure there are no indications of damage and get rid of any debris surrounding the system. Try to examine and make sure there is no apparent harm to any of the refrigerant or electrical lines running from your AC. Call 780-800-9047 for an equipment inspection if seems like there is any damage or flooding to the system. Once you’ve had the equipment inspected by a technician to ensure safe operation, turn the HVAC system back on ASAP to help dry the home and limit mold from getting into your system or ductwork. 

If your system has had any damage, check out these recommendations on What To Do If Your Air Conditioning System Experiences Flooding or Hail Damage and then call Rob's Albertan Service Experts and find out about our membership options to help keep your heating and cooling system in working order through all the seasons.