What are the top HVAC Hurricane Prep steps I need to do to be ready for hurricane season?

HVAC Hurricane Prep: How to Protect Your System from Texas Storms

It is hurricane and severe weather season in South Texas. Things are better now than they used to be, since the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration does a good job at predicting hurricanes days in advance, giving residents plenty of time to prepare. Good preparedness plans are also available from a number of area agencies. But what are the necessary HVAC Hurricane Prep steps homeowners should take to protect their system if a storm approaches?

Storm-Proofing Your Comfort: The Art of HVAC Hurricane Prep

You will need to care for your air conditioner during hurricane season. When a hurricane approaches the area, you only have two things to worry about concerning your air conditioner: whether it will make landfall near you or not. If it doesn’t make landfall near you, you’ve got nothing to worry about. If it makes landfall near you, you’ve got three things to worry about: high winds, heavy rainfall, and lightning strikes.

High Winds

If you have a hurricane with high winds, you have two things to worry about

Will the outdoor condenser be damaged by falling or flying objects? As a precaution, make sure to cut limbs or trees near the condenser (or the house, for that matter) that might crush the condenser. It is made primarily of aluminum, so it will not survive a falling limb, much less a tree. Investigate custom covers for your condenser unit to protect it from flying debris. Or consider fabricating a cover from plywood and securing it around the condenser. Make sure not to run the air conditioner with a cover on, since this will cause catastrophic damage to the compressor motor.

Will the outdoor condenser blow away during the storm? Home improvement stores will have strap kits to ensure the condenser does not blow away. The strap is connected securely to the concrete pad, connecting the condenser to the ground.

The condenser unit is very vulnerable during a storm with high winds, so do your best to protect it from flying away and from other flying objects.

Heavy Rain

If you have a hurricane with heavy rain, you have two things to worry about.

Are you in a low-lying area?

Is your home subject to localized flooding?

If either of these situations describes your home, you are aware of the problems presented by torrential rainfall. The most common HVAC Hurricane Prep solution for your air conditioner is to elevate the condenser unit. Now, the air handler cabinet will also be vulnerable if your home is flooded, but that entails far more preparedness measures to protect your entire home. Elevating the condenser can protect it from anticipated flooding events. Condensers can be raised on earthen platforms or attached to the wall of a home. Local building codes can help you determine the best solution for your setting.

Lightning Strikes

If you have a hurricane with significant lightning strikes, you have two HVAC Hurricane Prep issues to worry about.

Lightning strikes can harm home wiring systems and appliances. Lightning does not have to hit your home to cause damage: it can hit the power grid and travel through the electrical service to your home. The entire system and the home electrical service panel have safeguards to prevent major damage, but with electricity, damage happens very quickly. Possible solutions include a whole-house surge protector or tripping the master breaker as the storm arrives.

Lightning strikes and high winds can cause a power outage that lasts minutes, hours, or weeks. A possible solution is a whole-house backup generator to ensure the home wiring system is protected and keep the air conditioner running while the power grid is down for repairs.

Don’t Wait for the Clouds to Gather to Start HVAC Hurricane Prep—Secure Your Comfort Today

When hurricane season arrives in South Texas, the safety of your home and family is your top priority, but your cooling system shouldn’t be an afterthought. Leaving your outdoor unit exposed to high winds, torrential rain, and electrical surges can lead to catastrophic damage and expensive replacements. Proactive HVAC Hurricane Prep is the most effective way to ensure your air conditioner survives the storm and continues to provide comfort when you need it most. From securing condenser straps and clearing hazardous debris to installing critical surge protection, every preventative step you take now saves you from the sweltering heat of a post-storm power restoration.

At AllCool AC, we specialize in fortifying your system against the unique challenges of our coastal climate. Our experienced technicians can evaluate your unit’s elevation, secure loose components, and perform a comprehensive safety check to give you total peace of mind. Don’t leave your investment to chance or wait until a tropical system is on your doorstep. Take action today and contact All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292  to schedule your professional HVAC Hurricane Prep maintenance appointment. Let us help you weather the storm with confidence and keep your home’s climate control running strong.