How To Prepare Your HVAC Unit Before A Storm
Storms and natural disasters can strike at any time. It is important to understand that a well-prepared house is a safe house. Storm season is approaching and with it comes strong winds and heavy rains. Because of this, it is up to you to make sure that your HVAC system remains dry and safe.
If you follow a few important tips…
you can keep your home safe. You can prevent damage and you can avoid any costly heating and cooling repairs and replacements. There is nothing worse than finding your that your heater or air conditioner has been damaged during a storm. If you do experience a problem, R. F. Ohl offers affordable HVAC repair.
When you take the necessary steps to protect your HVAC system, you can avoid paying expensive repair costs. Also, you will be sure that your system will be in perfect shape when you need it the most. In this article, we will share some tips that you need to follow to prepare your heater and AC unit before dangerous weather.
Inspect The Environment
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When a storm warning has been issued…
you should take a look at the area around your HVAC system. This is especially important for outdoor units. Check around the yard for anything that could hit the unit and cause damage. This includes lawn furniture, posts, heavy vases, and pots. Move these objects to a safer place. If not, you should secure these items down so that they cannot move.
Trim or cut any trees or shrubs near the outdoor unit before a storm. This will prevent heavy stems or loose branches from hitting the unit, causing damage. If there are any dead branches on your trees, you should remove them before the storm hits.
Turn Off The Power
It is not uncommon for a storm to cause a power outage. When this happens, the sudden surge of energy could cause damage to your heating and cooling units. Before the storm hits, you should prepare your house. If it is cold outside, turn the heat up in the house for as long as possible to keep it warm for as long as possible. If it is warm outside, turn the air conditioning all the way up. This will help you maintain a comfortable temperature when the power goes out. Also, seal all cracks around the windows to keep it comfortable in the home. When the storm starts, you should turn off your HVAC system and unplug it.
Protect Your HVAC Unit From Power Surges
It is not uncommon for there to be a power surge during a storm, which can be very damaging to your electrical unit. The best way to protect all of the electrical appliances in your home is to have them all plugged into surge protectors.
If you are unsure what capacity of surge protector you will need to protect your HVAC system, you should speak to a licensed HVAC technician. They can let you know what you will need to keep your system protected.
Keep Your Unit Covered
Before the storm hits, you should cover your outdoor unit with a tarp or another strong material. It will keep leaves, twigs, dirt, and debris from getting into the unit.
Also, it will keep the unit dry which is important if you are going to prevent corrosion and water damage. When the storm passes, uncover the unit.
Make Sure That the Unit Is Secure
It is important that your outdoor unit is anchored to a concrete slab. This will protect it from flooding and strong winds. When the unit is secure, it won’t be blown away in heavy winds or carried away by floodwater. This is especially important if you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes.
Schedule An HVAC Inspection After The Storm Clears
When the storm is over…
have an HVAC tech come to your home. Have them inspect the unit for any damage. You may need to have it cleaned as well. If there are soil and leaves trapped inside, the professional contractor will remove them. During the check, the tech will also make sure that there are no electrical issues. If there are, fix them right away. When the tech tells you that everything checks out, turn it on to circulate the air in the home. This is important to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. It will also reduce the level of humidity in the home. Additionally, it will make the temperature more comfortable.
HVAC Repair Nazareth PA
For honest, professional, and experienced heating and air conditioning services, contact R.F. Ohl. We offer various types of HVAC solutions for your home. This includes heater and AC maintenance, repair, and installations. Our NATE certified technicians know what it takes to make your home more energy efficient. This helps reduce your home’s heating and cooling expenses. We also install standby generators so that, in the event of a power outage, you will be able to stay comfortable and safe inside of your home. For a complete list of all that R.F. Ohl can offer you, click here.
We service Ackermanville PA 18010, Bath PA 18014, Bethlehem PA 18015, Easton PA 18040, Lehigh Valley PA 18001, Martins Creek PA 18063, Nazareth PA 18064, Pen Argyl PA 18072, Stockertown PA 18083, Tatamy PA 18085, Wind Gap PA 18091, and surrounding areas.
Contact us today or give us a call at (610) 377-1098 if you have any questions.