The 2014 Hurricane Season has arrived! The first storm system has been named and is heading up the east coast this 4th of July weekend! Although SW Florida won’t see any direct impact from Arthur, here are a few tips to prepare your AC system for an upcoming storm.
·
Turn off your HVAC system.
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You should also shut off the breakers going to the unit
to help prevent damage.
·
Cover any outside equipment with a tarp or plywood, and
tie it down to prevent debris from getting inside the unit and possibly causing
damage. You can also help secure your outside AC unit with hurricane straps to
give added protection.
·
Power surges are another potential hazard to your HVAC
equipment during storms. An electric surge can take out your AC unit as well as
any other electronic device that you keep plugged in during the storm. A point
of entry surge protector can be installed to protect your whole house, as well
as individual surge protectors for your other important devices like your
computers or televisions. Power surges come not only from lightning strikes,
but from downed power lines as well. It is best to go ahead and unplug any
electronics that you can as surge protectors don't always stop the surge
completely.
Before you turn your air conditioner back on, do a full inspection of the unit. Check the exterior for any damage and the inside to make sure that debris hasn’t infiltrated the unit. If everything looks alright and the unit isn’t sitting in a puddle of water, turn it on. If you are in doubt as to whether it is safe to turn the system back on, you should contact a certified technician to come out and inspect the air conditioning system. This could help prevent costly damage to the unit from debris or even wildlife that may have decided to take refuge in air conditioner or other internal issues that a homeowner might not recognize.
Be safe and prepare for Hurricanes. If you cannot remember when you had your air conditioning serviced last, why not schedule a service call today. Preventative maintenance is a great way to protect you from midnight emergencies, unexpected expenses and possibly extend the life of your air conditioner. It is a good way to prevent problems from occurring, and to keep your air conditioning system running at its maximum efficiency.
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