Corpus Christi is in hurricane country, and that means staying prepared all season long, from June through the last of November. You probably know by now what it takes to prepare for a hurricane, but do you take special precautions when a warning is issued for HVAC emergency preparedness? If not, you should. Here are some suggestions for HVAC emergency preparedness.
Before the Storm
Long before a storm approaches, you should know if you’re likely to be flooded, whether by overflowing bodies of water, storm surge or heavy accumulation of rain. Not only should you carry special flood insurance for your home, but you should also look into elevating your HVAC condenser to where it is less likely to be impacted by rising water. The condenser can stand a couple of inches of water, but any more — particularly if it’s salt water — will ruin it.
As a storm approaches, make sure you’ve done the following:
- Remove dirt, debris or anything else that can be blown inside the unit and harm the parts.
- Remove garden furniture, tools or other items that can damage the condenser. Trim any limbs that might fall on it.
- If you cover the unit, do so with a special HVAC cover. Remove the cover once the storm is gone.
- Cool or heat your home prior to the arrival of the storm.
- Turn the unit off as the storm passes over. This also goes for an electric storm where the unit might be affected by a power surge. Turn the unit off at the breaker till the storm passes. A whole-house surge protection system can be helpful to avoid blowing out your electrical appliances.
After a Storm
After the storm, turn the unit on and listen for unusual sounds or signs of impaired performance. If you suspect damage, turn it off and wait till you can have it checked out by an HVAC tech. Do not turn it on if it has been submerged in water.
For more on HVAC emergency preparedness, contact CCAC. We’ve served Corpus Christi since 1979.