How to Prepare Your HVAC Unit for Stormy Weather

Storms and other strong weather conditions can cause a lot of damage to the exterior of your house or any property that is located outside. If you live in Florida, your home and property are at an even greater risk because of the seasonal hurricanes that rip through the state. No matter where you live, it’s a good idea to prepare your HVAC unit for stormy weather so that the unit will run optimally for as long as possible.

Follow these steps to prepare your HVAC unit for upcoming stormy weather.

1. Have Your HVAC Unit Professionally Inspected

The first step in weatherizing your HVAC unit is to have it professionally inspected. A professional can find problems that an amateur homeowner may miss. An inspection can reveal if there are any issues with the HVAC unit that need attention. Repairing problems before a storm or hurricane arrives can help to prevent that problem from getting worse during the bad weather.

2. Cover Your HVAC Unit

If you know a bad storm is coming, it’s a good idea to cover the HVAC unit before it arrives. A cover can prevent debris from falling onto it and damaging the unit. A tarp can do a good job of protecting your HVAC unit in many cases. If you need something sturdier, wood is an alternative option.

3. Tie Down Your HVAC Unit

If you live in an area that gets bad storms with very strong winds, such as Florida during hurricane season, strapping down your HVAC unit can help prevent it from blowing away. Extremely strong winds like those from a hurricane could loosen your HVAC unit from where it’s secured. Tying it down can help keep it securely in place during the storm.

4. Buy a Surge Protector

Plugging your HVAC unit into a surge protector can be what saves the HVAC unit from getting destroyed by a power surge during a lightning storm. It’s difficult to plan for lightning strikes because they’re extremely unpredictable. Storms can also come up quickly. It’s best to just keep the HVAC plugged into a surge protector normally so you know it’s already prepared when a storm does come up.

5. Run the HVAC on High

If you know that a storm is coming up that is bad enough it might knock out the power, run the HVAC as high as you can. Whether it’s warm air or cool air, you’ll pump as much of it into your home ahead of the storm as possible. Then, once the storm hits, your home will stay warmer or cooler for longer.

6. Turn the HVAC Unit off

If there’s a bad storm or even a hurricane coming, it’s a good idea to turn off your HVAC unit. If there’s a flood, for example, an HVAC unit that was left on can suffer some serious damage when water comes into contact with the electrical components inside. Turning it off beforehand can help to prevent this kind of damage.

If you use window units, turn them off and bring them completely inside the house before the storm hits.