Prepare Your AC Unit For A Storm [Hurricane Edition]

Hurricane season is still in full swing, so your home and many of its major appliances are at risk of damage. Air Tech of Humble has found that many homeowners land in two categories, those who diligently prepare for a storm due to prior experience or those who don’t prepare because they aren’t sure what to do.

We’ve done Humble hurricane preparation for years and want to provide homeowners with tips that can help their homes come out of storm season unscathed. Below we’ll walk you through ways to protect your home and essential appliances.

How to Protect Your AC from a Hurricane

Turn Off Your Air Conditioner

To prepare for a big storm, pre-cool your home and then shut off your unit. A surge protector is not enough to protect your system from a lightning strike. One strike could damage your unit and lead to a costly air conditioner repair.

Cover Your Outside Unit

You can never go wrong with covering your condenser outside for severe storms or hurricanes. Strong winds can cause all kinds of scraps, shards, and other debris to become trapped in your air conditioning system. These pieces can cause a block in airflow that will eventually burn out your motor. You can avoid a potential AC repair by covering your unit with a high-quality hurricane tarp.

Check Your Circuit Breaker

Familiarize yourself with your home’s circuit breaker. This will be handy if you shut off any major appliances, including your AC. We recommend labeling all the controls to help you move quickly in an emergency.

Inspect Your AC After a Storm

Inspecting your outside unit for any damage after a storm should always be done before turning your AC back on. You’ll catch any debris, cracks, or other damage before forcing your system to power through the damages.

Hurricane Prep for Your Home

Protecting significant appliances like your air conditioning unit is a must, but there are some ways to help protect your home.

Invest in storm doors and window shutters

Storm doors and sturdy window shutters add an extra layer of protection to the entrances of your home. They withstand heavy winds, rain, ice, or snow. The extra sealing can help prevent excess water from entering your home and causing costly damage.

Prepare Your Yard

Taking the time to prepare your yard for a storm can prevent severe damage from being done. Use the days leading up to a big storm to trim your trees and pick up any large rocks or materials that could harm your home.

Invest in a Surge Protector

A surge protector can help preserve the life of small and large appliances. If you have electronics that you cannot unplug during storms, a surge protector will help prevent damage from any electrical surges that may happen during the storm.

Look for Potential Flood Damage

If you notice large pits or trenches forming near your home, fill them with dirt or sand. The ditches and holes can cause floods in your home. Pay attention to the foundation of your home as well. If you notice any deep cracks in the concrete, look into getting a foundation repair to avoid potential floods.

Stay Prepared, Humble!

Prepping our homes and AC units with all the hurricane essentials is vital in protecting our investments for the season. However, we encourage homeowners to invest in their major appliances year-round. Routine preventive AC maintenance goes a long way in protecting your HVAC system before storm seasons arrive.

Whether you’re looking to integrate new care into your unit or have a new AC installation done, Air Tech of Humble can help you. Give us a call!