Protect your HVAC in Severe Weather

Spring came early this year, and as Tennessee Valley residents know, that means severe weather season has begun as well. Here are a few steps you can take to protect your HVAC system from the storms.

Tips for Severe Weather Protection

1. Turn It Off: When bad weather is coming, one simple step you can take to protect your HVAC system is to switch it off at the thermostat. This will help to shield your unit from power surges. This can occur due to nearby lightning strikes or when the power comes back on after an outage.

2. Keep It Off: If there is an outage, leave the HVAC off for at least five minutes after the power comes back on. That way it’s less likely to be damaged by fluctuations in power as the rest of the appliances in your home come back on line. Do you prefer the high-tech approach? There are time-delayed thermostats available that will take care of this for you.

3. Step Up Your Surge Protection: For even better protection, we can install a special HVAC surge protector for your unit. This will guard against both the strong surges associated with storms and power outages, as well as the weaker, everyday surges that can damage your HVAC unit over time.

4. Clear the Area: Keep yard tools, furniture, and toys away from your HVAC unit, especially if you know a storm is coming. High winds can turn these items into dangerous missiles that could do serious damage to your HVAC unit. If you have trees in your yard, it may also be a good idea to cut back any large branches that could fall onto your HVAC unit.

5. Forestall Flooding: Flooding can obviously damage your HVAC, and according to the CDC, it can also contaminate your unit with bacteria and fungi. If water tends to accumulate around your HVAC unit, we can install a dry well nearby. A dry well can help heavy rain dissipate into the ground, instead of collecting and running into your HVAC.

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