How to Protect Your AC During Storm Season
Florida is notorious for its erratic summer storms. One minute, you could be enjoying a light breeze and sunny skies. The next one might surprise you with a torrential downpour and claps of thunder. The good news? Your home comfort doesn’t have to be so unpredictable. When you know the proper steps for summer AC protection, you can keep it running smoothly no matter what surprises the forecast has in store.
Why Storm Season Puts Your AC at Risk
Unfortunately, hurricane season in Florida can cause wear and tear on your climate control unit, particularly the outdoor condenser unit, which typically faces the elements. Some common examples of weather-related AC issues we see during hurricane season include:
- Power surges from lightning strikes or power outages.
- Flying debris can physically damage outdoor condenser units.
- Flooding around condenser units can lead to corrosion and electrical problems.
- Circuit short and other system malfunctions.
You could face costly repairs or premature replacement without proactive measures for summer AC protection during the rainy season.
How to Protect Your AC During Hurricane Season
So, what can you do to mitigate damage to one of your home’s most significant investments this summer? These few tips should keep your AC in business and your living space comfortable in the hotter months.
1. Install a Surge Protector
During a lightning storm, a power surge to your home could fry your AC’s electronics if you don’t have a surge protector. Adding a voltage protector is the easiest and most effective way to prevent sudden power spikes from damaging your system. This is especially important in areas of Florida where lightning strikes are common. For reference, Floridians see an average of 1.2 million lightning strikes each year!
2. Shut Off the System Before a Major Storm
Even if you don’t have an electrical surge suppressor in place, you can enhance your summer AC protection. Simply shut off the power to the condenser and thermostat directly at your home’s breaker panel. You can guard your devices from electrical damage caused by power surges or severe weather conditions, such as heavy winds and precipitation.
3. Secure the Outdoor Unit
Summer is also a windy season throughout many parts of Florida, with average wind speeds peaking between June and September. During this time, debris from high winds can cause damage to your condenser unit. If a significant weather disturbance is in the forecast, consider clearing the area around your condenser unit to reduce the chances of wind damage. You might even consider using hurricane straps or tie-downs to keep the unit grounded when damaging winds are forecasted.
4. Check Drainage Around the Unit
Now is also a good time to assess the drainage around your condenser unit, ensuring that the ground around the unit is graded so that water drains away from it, not toward it. If needed, seek out help from a landscaping professional to improve drainage. Doing so will ensure that standing water doesn’t accumulate around your unit and cause corrosion, electrical damage, or mold.
5. Cover the Unit Cautiously
Installing a breathable and waterproof cover over your condenser unit may also be recommended as a temporary measure during severe weather. Just be sure to avoid leaving the unit permanently covered, as this can cause moisture to become trapped inside the unit and lead to corrosion of parts.
6. Schedule Preventive Maintenance
When your AC system is already in good repair, it’s less likely to fail you when you need it during the most sweltering months. If you haven’t done so already, schedule your annual AC inspection and tune-up with an experienced and skilled Mid-Fla Heating & Air technician. One of our professionals will be able to catch any vulnerable components and ensure that your system is storm-ready.
Bonus Summer AC Protection: Consider a Backup Generator
If you’ve ever been without electricity during a Florida heat wave, you know how uncomfortable life can be without climate control. Investing in a whole-house generator ensures your HVAC system keeps running during power outages, providing peace of mind during the unpredictable summer storm season.
Keep Your Cool, No Matter the Cost
With some proactive measures, you can keep your AC running and your living space cool all summer long. Are you looking for a system assessment or need help stormproofing your climate control system? Mid-Fla Heating & Air has you covered, so contact us to learn more or schedule your appointment. And as the stifling months of summer approach, remember: You’re in luck with the Big Orange Truck!
