How to Prepare Your AC for a Hurricane

When living in Florida and other coastal areas, it is important to take proper precautions for your home when hurricane season rolls around. While major storms might not occur, you should still be prepared to keep yourself safe. Here are some simple steps to follow when it comes to protecting your air conditioning system during hurricane season.

Before the hurricane hits

The most important thing for your AC’s hurricane protection is what you do before the storm to secure your system. Since hurricanes can cause power outages and other irregularities, you should consider pre-cooling your home. You can do this by setting the thermostat to a lower temperature than you might normally before the storm hits. As a result, when the air conditioning cannot be used, your home is still at a comfortable temperature.

However, after pre-cooling before the storm, make sure to turn your unit off. This will prevent the stress that is caused by sudden switching on and off of the unit when power is being erratic. It is also recommended to shut off the power from the thermostat and circuit breaker.

If the expected storm is to bring high winds, then it is recommended to cover and secure your AC. Once the unit is turned off, cover it with a tarp or plywood in order to keep falling debris from landing inside the unit or even causing damage if something larger such as tree branches falls.

Additionally, if your area is more prone to flooding your AC might not be on the ground level. In this case, you can use hurricane straps to keep it in place when high winds occur.

After the hurricane passes

Before going to turn your AC system back on after the storm, it is important to assess it for damages. If you turn it back on with debris stuck inside, it could cause problems internally. If your area flooded there could be internal water damage to your unit.

If the unit appears to be in order, you can start it back up. If left sitting too long after high-moisture weather, mold or other bacteria could begin to grow in your system.

If you see damage call a professional for assistance getting your AC back up to safe working conditions. If you are in the Pensacola and Emerald Coast area and need help with AC protection or repairs, be sure to contact Express Air.