Protecting Your HVAC System against Hurricane Incidences

With the change in global temperatures, hurricanes have become a commonplace. They have no specific season and this means you need to be prepared at all times. Heavy winds and rain can damage your HVAC system if it is not well protected. Don’t be like many of the homeowners who completely forget about their systems only to remember them in the last minute before a hurricane hits.

There are several ways you can prepare for the hurricane season and incidences. Among the steps you should take include:

Unplugging and Removing Your System

If your local Met Department warns of a hurricane in the making, you need to remove any window air conditioning units in your home ahead of the storm. Extremely high winds can cause these units to become projectiles thereby becoming a hazard. They can also be damaged in the process which is totally unnecessary.

Cover Your HVAC System

Unlike the window air conditioning units, HVAC systems are relatively immovable and instead of struggling to uninstall them which is dangerous and costly, cover them instead. This will protect them from the debris and rain caused by hurricanes. You can use a tarp to cover it as long as it is secured to the ground for protection.

Install Surge Protection

Lightning strikes usually accompany hurricanes. Depending on their intensity, they may cause power surges which can effectively ruin your system. To safeguard your home and system from such occurrences, install a whole house surge protector. You can find them in an improvement store near you.

Anchor the HVAC System

While it is common knowledge that your HVAC unit is difficult to move, heavy winds may toss it up and down and out of place. To prevent this from happening, use specially designed straps that can keep your unit from moving. This will ensure that irrespective of the gust, your system remains in its place.

Inspect Your Yard

This may be part of your day-to-day activities, but as a caution, you should do it before a hurricane hits. Toys, tree branches, and lone equipment are among loose items that can be thrown around in the event of a hurricane. If any of this component strikes your HVAC unit, they can cause damages. Any loose items in your yard should be secured before the hurricane arrives.

Ensure Your Breakers are Switched Off

Turning off breakers to the HVAC system and thermostat is a laudable move when a hurricane is headed your way. When the storm is gone, you can turn the breakers back and restart the HVAC unit.

Another often forgotten measure is to have your HVAC unit inspected before the arrival of the hurricane. The best way around this is through an annual inspection. Once your local  HVAC technician verifies that your unit is in good condition, it will most likely survive the hurricane.