How To Be Prepared This Hurricane Season

During the months of May through November, coastal residents are on high alert, thanks to hurricane season. In Corpus Christi, we’re on high alert for any hurricanes coming from the Gulf. Knowing how to protect your outdoor AC unit during a hurricane may save you from spending extra investing in a new system.

Here at Mathews CCAC, we want to help keep you protected during hurricane season! We’ve compiled some hurricane prep essentials for your air conditioner.

Secure And Cover Your Unit

As the warnings roll in, you want to protect everything from the threat of hurricane force winds. Here are some steps to take to protect your unit.

• First, turn off power to your AC.
• If needed, trim nearby branches or bushes that are growing near your unit.
• Cover it with a tarp to protect it from flying debris.

Securing your unit with hurricane straps can help keep it in place. If the unit is not on an even surface, contact an HVAC technician to help elevate the unit and keep it protected.

After the storm has rolled through and as soon as it is safe to do so, remove the tarp from the unit. The longer it stays on top of the unit post storm, the more prone it is to mildew and mold.

Preserving Energy During A Storm

Texas weather is often hot and humid, especially along the Gulf Coast. When a storm threatens to knock out your power, you want to keep your home as cool as you can.

If you think power is going to go out during a storm, take precautions and cool your house off as much as possible. Close curtains and blinds, turn the thermostat down to a cooler setting and limit how much outside air comes inside.

The number of power surges that happen during a storm can damage your system in the process. Turning off your AC is important to keep it from experiencing these surges — treat it as you would your other appliances.

Turn off your air conditioner by turning off the circuit breaker as well as your thermostat as soon as you’ve cooled your house down. If you need to stay cool, small battery-powered fans are your best bet until it’s safe to turn on your air conditioner again.

Check Your AC For Any Damages

Once the storm has come and gone, do you know what to do next?

Before you turn your unit back on, check the system for damages caused by heavy flooding and flying debris. It is also possible that ductwork has been compromised by structure damage. If you see that your unit was damaged or needs an inspection after a hurricane, it’s best to call in an HVAC technician from our team.

Keep Yourself Prepared!

When it comes to Corpus Christi hurricane preparation, a good addition to the standard preparation is making sure your HVAC system is protected. Don’t let damage to your AC become a Category 5 nightmare — when the time comes, contact Mathews CCAC for service you can count on.