Hurricane season, which runs from June 1st through November 30th, often brings powerful winds, torrential rain, and storm surges that can cause serious damage to homes and infrastructure. Preparing early is key to minimizing risks. Along with stocking up on emergency supplies and filling up your car with gas, it’s important to safeguard your home’s vital and costly HVAC system. These five preventive steps can help your home weather the storm and recover more quickly once the skies clear.
Before a hurricane hits, secure your air conditioner’s condenser unit to prevent damage from high winds. In Florida, this means ensuring the condenser is properly anchored with hurricane-rated straps, bolts, or brackets that comply with the Florida Building Code wind-load requirements. Proper anchoring helps by:
During a hurricane, electrical surges and flooding can severely damage an operating HVAC system. As the storm approaches, first turn off the thermostat to stop the system from running. Next, shut off power at the breaker box to protect sensitive electrical components from surges and to reduce the risk of damage if water enters the unit. Taking these steps helps safeguard your equipment and makes poststorm inspection and restart safer.
In flood-prone areas, especially low-lying coastal regions, it’s important to make sure your HVAC condenser is elevated above the flood level. Raising the unit on a sturdy, hurricane-rated platform helps protect it from water damage that can ruin electrical components and internal parts. If your system is not already elevated, contact a licensed HVAC professional to assess your setup and install the proper platform.
Before a hurricane, secure or store any outdoor furniture, decorations, or other loose items that could become dangerous projectiles in high winds. Clearing the area around your HVAC condenser and storing these items in a garage or shed reduces the risk of impact damage and helps protect your equipment during the storm.
Common projectiles include:
PERFORM A VISUAL INSPECTION Before and after a hurricane, it’s important to visually inspect your HVAC system for signs of damage. Before the storm, look for anything that could compromise the unit’s stability or safety, and remove any debris or obstructions around the condenser. After the storm, check the condenser for visible damage or flooding, and watch for loose panels, disconnected wires, or other hazards. If you notice any damage or suspect repairs are needed, contact a licensed HVAC professional before restarting the system to ensure it is safe to operate.