uneven temperatures in your home

This is an active hurricane season. With so many hurricanes and tropical storms passing through, it's important that you know how to protect your home, and its operating systems. If you haven't taken steps to protect your HVAC system, you need to take care of that now. If you've already endured several storms, the information provided here will help you get ready for next years surge. Here are three vital steps you should take to protect your HVAC system from storm damage.

Understand the Dangers You're Facing

When it comes to your HVAC system, you're facing more than just water damage during a big storm. While flood waters are a major concern, and can do significant damage, there are two other dangers you need to be concerned about. Those are wind and lightning damage. During heavy winds, your HVAC system can take a serious beating, especially any outdoor equipment, such as your AC unit. During lightning storms, your HVAC system can be shorted out. If the lightning strike is bad enough, it could short out your compressor.

Make a Plan to Protect Your System

Knowing the dangers that can affect your HVAC system, it's important that you make a plan to protect your system from as much storm damage as possible. The first thing you should do is ensure that your entire system is properly secured. Your AC should be securely fastened to it's foundation using heavy-duty bolts and fasteners. If possible, it should be strapped down tight. If it's located on the roof, secure it to the interior roofing beams. If it's located on the ground, secure it in a wire cage that has been fastened to a concrete pedestal. If flooding is a concern in your area, it's best to install your AC unit on an elevated pedestal. While an elevated pedestal won't protect it from extremely high water levels, such as the levels being seen in recent storms, it will provide protection from most flood conditions. Once the storm is approaching, you should go out and make sure the straps are securely in place. You should also turn your HVAC system off until the storm passes.

Schedule a Post-Storm Inspection

Once the storm has passed, you may be tempted to turn your AC back on. However, that's one of the worst things you can do. Your HVAC system may have sustained significant damage during the storm. You should schedule a post-storm inspection prior to re-starting your system again. Don't use your AC, or your heater, until your HVAC system has been thoroughly inspected, such as by a contractor from A-1 Heating, Air Conditioning, & Electrical LLC AC repair services.