How to Prepare Your HVAC System for Hurricane Season | Part 2

Although hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 to November 30, most storms hit between August and October. That means there’s still time to ensure your HVAC system is hurricane-ready before peak storm season hits. While Part 1 of our series on preparing your HVAC system for hurricane season covered the basics like securing your outdoor unit and shutting off power, we’re here to add to how you can protect your HVAC system before, during, and after the storm. Let’s go on as we discuss hurricane preparation.

Schedule a Pre-storm Maintenance Visit for Hurricane Preparation

When preparing your HVAC system for hurricane season, your best defense is always a good offense. Instead of waiting to see how your system responds to a significant storm, take time now to schedule a professional tune-up and get ahead of any potential issues. This way, you can ensure that your system doesn’t show any red flags that could worsen after a storm.

During a pre-storm maintenance visit, our Aztil Air technician will:

• Clear drain lines to prevent flooding
• Ensure all HVAC components are in good working order
• Check electrical connections and refrigerant levels
• Recommend surge protection if your system doesn’t already have it

Hurricanes bring high winds, increased moisture, and power surges and outages. An HVAC system that isn’t already in good working order is much more susceptible to breakdowns. Since storms tend to hit Florida during the hottest months of the year, that’s the last thing you’ll want to deal with.

Invest in a Whole-Home Surge Protector

Though in recent years FPL has made significant headway in reducing power outages and surges in the aftermath of storms, it’s still common for hurricanes to cause power outages and surges. Lightning strikes and utility grid interruptions can wreak havoc on household appliances and HVAC systems. Hurricane protection is a must.

Fortunately, a whole-home surge protector can help safeguard your air conditioner (and other valuable electronics) from sudden spikes. Though installation will require time and money, this move can save you thousands of dollars down the road, not to mention keep you and your family cool and comfortable as you recover and clean up after storms!

Know When (and How) to Shut Down Your System

While it’s not generally necessary to shut down your HVAC system when the outer bands are passing over, it’s smart to do so right before the storm’s full force hits. While it may cause you to be a bit uncomfortable for a short time, doing so reduces the chances that any potential surges will impact your system.

A few steps to take in advance:

• Cover your outdoor unit with a breathable, manufacturer-approved cover to protect it from flying debris. (Remember to remove it after the storm ebbs before you restart your system!)
• Locate your breaker panel and learn how to shut off power to your HVAC system safely.
• Alternately, consider turning off the thermostat to avoid power surges.

Perform a Post-Storm System Check

While pre-system checks ensure you’re ready for the storm, a post-system check helps you confirm that everything is still in working order. This is also necessary for future hurricane preparation.

After a hurricane safely passes, inspect your unit thoroughly before turning it back on. As you do so, exercise extreme care, as electrocution incidents can occur after hurricanes.

Check for:

• Visible damage or debris around the outdoor unit
• Floodwater around the system
• Water damage or electrical damage

Important: If you see signs of electrical or water damage around your outside unit, do not attempt to power your HVAC system back on. Instead, call Aztil Air. We’ll send one of our technicians out to inspect it and recommend any potential next steps.

Document Any Damage Immediately

In the event that your HVAC shows signs of hurricane damage, your first step should always be to take lots of clear photos. Second, contact your insurance provider promptly to file a claim. Third, contact Aztil Air. We’ll be happy to stop by, inspect the damage, work hard toward getting your system back online as soon as possible, and offer a free second opinion on repairs and replacements.

Keep Cool With Aztil Air

We hope you learned a lot regarding hurricane preparation. Want to hear more about preparing your HVAC system for hurricane season, including installing surge protection to keep you cool all season long? At Aztil Air, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule your pre-storm tune-up! We look forward to hearing from you.