How to Prevent and Check for HVAC Storm Damage
Hurricane season – which runs from June through November – can have a devastating impact on home’s in Montgomery, AL. Hurricanes and tropical storms are frequent occurrences during the summers and falls and can lead to significant damage to your home and outdoor HVAC unit.
If you’ve experienced the effects of hurricanes and other serious storms in the past, you probably have a to-do list to prepare for them. That might include boarding up windows, trimming dead tree branches and moving outdoor furniture into the garage. One important task to add to that list is protecting your air conditioner’s outdoor condenser unit from storm and hurricane damage.
In this blog, Hans Heating & Air, Montgomery, Alabama’s, most trusted heating and cooling company, discusses how to protect your AC condenser during severe weather. For all of your HVAC-related needs, contact Hans today.
Tips to Protect Your AC Condenser From Storms and Hurricanes
Before a storm wreaks havoc on your community, follow these tips from Hans Heating & Air to safeguard your HVAC equipment during extreme weather.
Consider installing a surge protector
If you don’t already have a surge protector, consider buying one. Surge protectors shield electrical devices from voltage spikes by diverting and absorbing excess electricity, which can damage or destroy your home’s electrical devices, including your HVAC system.
Cool your home down
If it’s hot outside, turn down the temperature on your AC system to cool your home down. Storms can potentially last for several hours, and because your power might shut down, pre-cooling your home will keep your family comfortable inside until the storm passes and it’s safe to turn the system back on.
Turn off your AC system
Shortly before the storm hits your community, shut the AC system down at the thermostat and from the circuit breaker to reduce the risk of a blow out when the power comes back on in the case of an outage or you turn the system back on manually. This is an extremely important step, as power surges are a potential fire hazard.
Check that the unit is secure
Most new condensers come with tie-down straps to secure the unit to the concrete base it sits on. Check that your HVAC unit has these straps and that they’re not rusted or damaged. If they are, contact Hans Heating & Air to make the necessary repairs
Cover the condenser unit
After you’ve turned off power to your air conditioning system, consider covering your condenser unit with a weatherproof tarp designed specifically for HVAC units to safeguard it from flying debris and water damage. This will protect the integral parts from being damaged. Check that the tarp is securely fastened to the ground to prevent it from moving or tumbling over during strong winds.
Clear away debris
Hurricanes and tropical storms pack a punch in terms of wind speed. Even a category 1 hurricane can produce winds between 74 and 95 mph, while category 5 hurricanes can bring winds of 137 mph or higher. Because of this – as we touched on earlier – bring patio and lawn equipment inside or make sure they’re safely fastened or secured. Remove excess amounts of dirt, leaves or other debris away from the condenser unit to prevent them from getting inside and potentially causing damage.
What to Do after a Storm
Once a powerful storm moves through your Montgomery, AL, neighborhood, and you and your family are safe, go outside and remove the tarp over the condenser unit. Leaving a tarp on the unit for several days can trap moisture, leading to mildew, mold or rust.
Once the tarp is removed, check for possible damage to your AC unit. If you notice or suspect that excess water or debris is in the system, don’t turn the AC back on. It’s best to call an HVAC technician to inspect the outdoor unit and clear away leaves and dirt before you run the system again.
Water and debris can restrict AC condenser units – causing damage to the compressor or coils – which causes them to overheat, resulting in damage that can lead to expensive repairs or even replacement.
Contact Hans Heating & Air for Storm-Related HVAC Unit Damage
Hurricanes and other powerful storms can wreak havoc on your home and outdoor AC unit. Hans Heating & Air is here to help. We offer emergency AC repair at night, on the weekend and during holidays!
If your AC system needs repaired after a storm, contact the friendly NATE-certified technicians at Hans today. We’re your one-stop shop for all of your air conditioning needs, whether it be repairs, maintenance or new installation.