Preparing Your HVAC System for Hurricane Season: Essential Tips for Florida Homeowners

By Aztil – May 7, 2025

Storm season is on the horizon. As a Florida homeowner, you’re used to it, but is your HVAC system ready? Hurricane HVAC protection is essential, as cyclones and other major storms can cause severe damage to your air conditioning system. Taking proactive steps to safeguard your system before the storms hit can help prevent costly repairs. It also keeps your home comfortable during Florida’s hottest months.

Here are some tips for securing your heating and cooling system from the vagaries of Mother Nature.

Schedule a Pre-Season Tune-up

It’s always a good idea to inspect your system in early summer. Getting it done before storm season helps even more. In addition to cleaning and testing your system, the technician can check for wear and tear that might make it more vulnerable to storm damage. They can also inspect your electrical connections to ensure they are safe and secure.

A summer tune-up can help your system withstand storms and reduce the risk of a breakdown on a hot day.

Secure Your Outdoor Unit for Hurricane HVAC Protection

Your outdoor unit is vulnerable to high winds and flying debris. Secure it to a concrete slab using brackets or hurricane straps. If in doubt, consider adding a strap. Clear the area around your unit of any loose items and keep it clear. Trim trees, branches, bushes, and shrubs. In addition to risking damage, overgrowth can block airflow and make your system less efficient.

Properly securing your unit prevents damage caused by shifting or lifting from the wind.

Turn Off Your System During the Storm

When the storm approaches or before you evacuate, turn your system off at the breaker. If you’re evacuating, turning off all of your power is not a bad idea. Storms can cause power surges that can damage your system. If your system continues running while there’s a flood, it can pull water into the system, causing significant damage.

Unplug your thermostats and smart home devices, too. These devices function like small computers, making them susceptible to power surges.

Safeguard Against Power Surges

Lightning is frequent during storm season, and storms can blow up without warning. While this kind of powerful storm gives plenty of chances to turn everything off, a severe thunderstorm might not. It might hit while you are asleep or not at home.

Install a surge protector to keep your HVAC unit safe and a whole-home surge protector for your thermostats and appliances. It’s also a good idea not to leave portable electronics and laptops plugged in after charging.

Consider installing a backup generator to at least power lights and your fridge if there’s an outage.

Cover Your Unit (Carefully)

Another way to secure your outdoor unit from debris is an HVAC cover. You can buy one fitted to your specific device and put it on before a storm or evacuation. Don’t use a plastic tarp or any other makeshift material; these can trap moisture and create mold or corrosion problems.

Make sure to remove the cover before turning the system back on after the storm. Running your HVAC with a cover on can cause severe damage. If needed, place the bag or box that contains the cover in a noticeable location to help you remember to take it off.

Inspect After the Storm

Before turning your air conditioning system back on after a storm, give it a quick once-over. Check for debris around the unit and clear it away if possible. Look for visible damage or flooding, and check for strange smells, sounds, or leaks.

Don’t restart your system if you aren’t sure, and if you think you have damage or just need peace of mind, call a professional.

Consider Flood Protection Upgrades With Aztil Air

Florida is a low-elevation state, making large areas vulnerable to flooding. If you live in one of those areas, talk to your HVAC professional about simple upgrades for hurricane HVAC protection. Elevating the unit is one of the easiest. If your property is on a slope, consider placing the outside unit higher up, where water will flow away from it. When replacing your system, inquire about water-resistant models or ask about protective platforms if you’re not replacing it.

These simple steps can save you from expensive repairs and potentially days without AC at a hot time of year. They can also help your peace of mind, making hurricane season less stressful.

At Aztil Air, we’re here to help. Contact us to schedule a tune-up or inspection or to talk about ways to hurricane-proof your HVAC system.

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Aztil Air Conditioning

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E. R.

Niko was excellent. Very happy with his service. Explained everything and was very professional.

Yesterday no ac!! Yikes. Dana was the technician who did not leave our house until he discovered and fixed the problem. Believe me, he missed dinner and this was a Friday night. Couldn’t be happier. Dana was so professional and knowledgeable. So happy we bought from Aztil and have a service contract with them. If you ever think it’s not worth having the service contract in case of emergency, when you have no ac and it’s sweltering outside, you will be so happy you made a smart decision! Thank you Dana and Aztil.

Response from the owner:Hi E. R., thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Yandis did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Michael Scheps

Ramon was very thorough.

Response from the owner:Hi Michael, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Ramon did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Erlene Ratz

Rafael
Was very informative, polite, and to the point in explaining warranty information, and what parts was needed for my air conditioner.

I look forward yo his next visit in 6 months.
Keeps us up to date.

Response from the owner:Hi Erlene, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Rafael did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Michael Stein

Ramon did an excellent job in servicing my air conditioners. He also called the office to get the permit issue resolved. He informed me that Aztil was recently sold and he is enthusiastic about the new management. I also see an improvement in the communication in the past month.

Response from the owner:Hi Michael, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're glad to hear that you had an excellent experience with our service. We pride ourselves on our knowledgeable staff, and it's great to know that Aztil was able to provide you with such great service. We appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again soon!

Chris

The service tech Ramon did an excellent job doing maintenance on my ac and fixed my plaster on top of the ac unit!! Highly recommend!!!!

Response from the owner:Hi Chris, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Ramon did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Evee

I scheduled a routine check up and Cody came to my home. He was so knowledgable and found issues with AC and fixed them on the spot. He also found a major issue on my roof and I immediately called the HOA. I will definitely be asking him to come back for my next check up

Excellent Customer service Kudos Cody !!

Response from the owner:Hi Evee, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Cody did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Brett Burkey

I appreciate the online appointment system and the follow up communication until the Tech arrives. Dana, the technician on my job was terrific. He was very thorough and courteous, willing to answer all of my questions with clarity. The only thing that keeps me from awarding a 5 was the price. The service was very satisfying and Dana was exemplary.

Response from the owner:Hi Brett, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Dana did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Benjamin Stebor

Cody did an excellent job. He finished in a timely manner and answered the questions I asked him.

Response from the owner:Hi Benjamin, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Cody did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Elizabeth Bewley

I scheduled a routine check-up. Aztil canceled on me and the next appointment was 3 weeks later, so I was not happy about that. However, when my technician Ramon showed up, he was very thorough and efficient. He explained what he was doing and made good suggestions to maintain my AC. I was very happy with his work.

Response from the owner:Hi Elizabeth, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Ramon did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Cheryl Feldman

Dana came to my house today. So impressed! He was courteous and knowledgeable. Fixed the problem quickly! Five stars!.

Response from the owner:Dear Cheryl Feldman, thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with Dana. We're delighted to hear that he provided courteous and knowledgeable service while fixing the problem efficiently. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we appreciate your five-star rating. If you need any further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Susan Movizzo

Albert Rodriquez was through and professional. Great service

Response from the owner:Hi Susan, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Albert did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

ALEJANDRO MAC LEAN

Great job by Barreto

Response from the owner:Hi Alejandro, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Asiel did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Denise Goffman

Michael was amazing today on our emergency air conditioning needs. He went above and beyond to accomplish getting our unit up and running!!!

Response from the owner:Hi Denise, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Michael did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Kerry Humes

Ramon was amazing !!!! Awesome job !!!

Response from the owner:Hi Kerry, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Ramon did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Doris Campbell

Response from the owner:Hi Doris, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Aztil did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Susan Leigh

Ramon Serpa is the best! He performed the maintenance check on my A/C and when I told him about my husband’s allergy problems, he suggested UV lights which would improve the air quality. He installed these for me explaining the process in detail. He is the best technician we have ever had with Aztil.

Response from the owner:Hi Susan, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Ramon did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

RALPH D'ELIA

I've been using Aztil for over 20 years across 4 homes in Florida. From general services to complete A/C replacements, I wouldn't trust anyone else. My recent service in Port St. Lucie with Nico was excellent and he was very helpful in going over all of my HVAC system and answered a few questions I had.
I highly recommend Aztil for any HVAC issues or general maintenance.

Response from the owner:Hi Ralph, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Niko did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Jessica Maxson

I cannot speak highly enough of our super kind technician, Randy, who came out to assess our AC today. Randy took the time to walk us through photos of the issues in our AC and offered to take care of it ASAP as he already had the parts in his truck - LOVE the preparedness! Aztil Air Conditioning is superior and we will request Randy on a go forward basis.

UPDATE 6/17/25 - Exceptional Service from True Professionals - Highly Recommend!

We recently had our ducts cleaned and sealed, plus our dryer vent serviced by Jordan and Hero from Aztil Air Conditioning, and I cannot say enough good things about their work. From the moment they arrived, these two demonstrated exactly what professional service should look like.

What impressed us most was their commitment to education - they took the time to walk both my husband and me through every step of the process, explaining not just what they were doing, but why it mattered for our home's efficiency and air quality. It's rare to find technicians who are so patient and thorough in their explanations.

Beyond their technical expertise, Jordan and Hero showed genuine respect for our home and our comfort level throughout the entire job. They worked with care and consideration, treating our space as if it were their own. As homeowners, we've all had those experiences where workers leave you feeling uneasy - this was the complete opposite. We felt completely at ease having them in our home.

Their professionalism, kindness, and attention to detail set them apart in an industry where those qualities aren't always guaranteed. If you're looking for HVAC services you can trust, don't hesitate to call Aztil Air Conditioning. Jordan and Hero will take excellent care of you and your home.

Five stars - we'll definitely be calling them for any future needs!

Response from the owner:Thank you Jessica for your positive feedback. I'm glad you were happy with the support we provided. Please keep us in mind for any HVAC needs.

Hal Braxton

Rick was terrific. Knowledgeable fast, courteous. We hope if we need a/c work, he's the one who comes out.

Response from the owner:Hi Hal, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Rick did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Judy D

Very professional, knowledgeable, and accomplished the tasks requested..Would recommend to others.

Response from the owner:Hi Judy, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Aztil did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

mark marcil

Jordan was excellant. Went above and beyond listening and talking me through everything.

Response from the owner:Hi Mark, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Jordan did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Stephen Atria

Thank you Alex who diagnosed my AC issue quickly,! your superior technical skills and customer service have not gone unnoticed. Alex made my experience a pleasant one, even though my AC motor went and it needs to be ordered, the good news is it’s under warranty🤷🏼‍♂️

Response from the owner:Hi Stephen, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Alex did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Helen Kraft

Today I had a repair/replacement done by Alex Molina
Alex is knowledgeable and explains what has to be done and it will be done
He is very polite, cleans up after himself and never complained about being in the sun for the number of hours that he had to be there to work
If anybody needs work and is lucky enough for Alex Molina to be your tech all will be done right
Thank you, Alex

Response from the owner:Hi Helen, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Alex did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

John Izsak

On the ball. Courteous and efficient. Initially forgot to install cement pad, but did so when deficiency pointed out to him. Generally very pleased.

Response from the owner:Hi John, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Aztil did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Wendy Kozlow

Michael King gave me outstanding service for a recent maintenance visit. He is informative, polite and above all professional. He answered all my questions and gave me good tips for ongoing maintenance.

Response from the owner:Hi Wendy, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Michael did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Sharon Morella

Response from the owner:Hi Sharon, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Aztil did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Nancy Veras

Good job

Response from the owner:Hi Nancy, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Aztil did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

fjoe270 FISCHER

They were excellent

Response from the owner:Hi fjoe270, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Aztil did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Norman Abrams

Response from the owner:Hi Norman, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Aztil did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Diana Martinez

Alez molina was excellent! Kind, proficient and efficient. Worked quickly. Am so grateful.

Response from the owner:Hi Diana, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Alex did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Lisa Haber

Jordan & Herolson did a great job cleaning my ductwork. They arrived on time, were very nice, polite & efficient. Jordan explained everything clearly. They cleaned up thoroughly when they were done. The popcorn from my ceilings was everywhere, but they took care of it. Five stars.

Response from the owner:Hi Lisa thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Jordan and Hero did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Debra Johnson

Niko is always a competent , pleasant professional who assists me with my air conditioning units.

AZTIL responds to my calls in a timely manner.

Response from the owner:Hi Debra, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Niko did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Carol Perrine

Jordan an hero where effective angel. They explained evdrthing and extremely pleasant

Response from the owner:Hi Carol, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Jordan did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Karen Ponder

Tino was friendly, professional and very helpful

Response from the owner:Hi Karen, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Tino did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Mel Shulman

Dana was great!! Suggested a cut off switch to stop the water backup
Installed it right away

Response from the owner:Hi Mel, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Dana did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Susan Kryl

Aztil is always so reliable.
Dana came today, diagnosed my A/C problem and took care of right away.
Terrific service! Thank you, Dana!

Response from the owner:Hi Susan, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Dana did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Virginia Pacelli

Best workers, Jordan,and Hero.

Response from the owner:Hi Virginia, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Jordan and Hero did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Jake Lepoff

Thanks to Aztil AC! One of our A/C units broke down unexpectedly, and Anthony got Lazaro out to us right away the next morning. Lazaro was excellent and he found the problem with our unit very quickly. We really appreciate their quick action and professional expertise. Outstanding service from start to finish!

Response from the owner:Hi Jake, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Anthony and Lazaro did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Justin Lazzara

Just has Dana come as soon as Aztil can get there team there for our family. Dana was friendly, professional and knew his stuff.

Response from the owner:Hi Justin, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Dana did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Cari Adamonis

The AC maintenance service was excellent. Niko Garza was professional, helpful, kind, and was instrumental in arranging for the next Senior Technician to solve the AC problem that I am having. That service will be sometime today. He also recommended the dryer vent cleaning and the in-line AC cleaning, of which I scheduled for Monday and paid today. My husband has been very ill for the past 4 years and in the hospital right now. Aztil has arranged the services, after Niko explained the situation, so that they will be completed before he comes home because a patient on oxygen and a feeding tube cannot be without power to the whole house, even a short shut down would endanger him. Thank you Niko!

Technician Rick Cochran did an excellent job replacing the AC breaker and ensuring that everything was in correct working condition. I really appreciated his kindness and professional demeanor. Thank you Rick!

Today Technician Alex Molina completed the services (dryer lint trap cleaning and inline air handler cleaning). Once again, I was fortunate to have a professional, gracious, and thoughtful person come to my house to perform the services. Thank you so much Alex!

June 2 2025 Thank you Cody! It is a relief to finally have the A/C back to what it should be. The replacement of the coil is probably what was needed a month ago. Rather than dwell on what was, I truly appreciate the replacement service and how kind you were to a grieving widow.

Response from the owner:Hi Admonis, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Niko did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Don Walling

Angel and his crew

Response from the owner:Hi Don, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Angel did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

David Schwarz

Tino Costanzo did an excellent job. Extremely helpful in adding to the efficiency of the operation of our air conditioning unit.

Response from the owner:Hi David, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Tino did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Walter Grimsley

This is the second time Michael King has serviced my AC for AZTIL. He is always pleasant and courteous. He explains all he does to the unit and answers all questions I may have. He is very thorough. Great asset to the company. The trainee (Skyler) with him today has a very good teacher and seems to be on his way to being a positive service tech.

Response from the owner:Hi Walter, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Michael and Skyler did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Steven Pyenson

Response from the owner:Hi Steven, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Aztil did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Jazziz

Lazaro was excellent. Full explanation of services. I would like to get him for any future services. I'd like to add that I was pleased with the vent cleaning that was performed by Alex Molina and his assistant.

Response from the owner:Hi Jazziz, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Lazaro did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Patricia Dale

I had woken up to no ac in my house. I contacted aztil on a Saturday at 5 pm and their technician called me back within a half hour. His name was Tino, he said that he would be there within 30 minutes…. And he was! He figured out the problem in 10 minutes and he solved it! Excellent service! Thank you so very much!

Response from the owner:Hi Patricia, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Tino did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Ray Ferrara

Wow, the scheduling process was a challenge, but our service tech Niko Garza was a grand slam. He more than made up for the scheduling challenges. We’ve been Aztil customers since 2017…. Scheduling was much stronger up until about a year ago, service techs have always been great. Peter, one of the schedulers also can in for the save!

Hey I need to update this 5 Star review, it needs to be a 10…. We needed a new system, boom, done in one day! Our tech, Asiel Barreto was tremendous. He even worked us through the process of using a NEST thermostat- Jackie in the central office rocked us through all the paperwork. This is why we are Aztil for life!

Response from the owner:Hi Ray, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Niko did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Jeffrey Kassover

Jordan was awesome. Nice to work with, fast and efficient.

Response from the owner:Hi Jeffrey, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Jordan did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

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