Hurricanes have certainly been wreaking their share of havoc this year, flooding houses and vehicles, sheering roof shingles, shredding seawalls, toppling homes, not to mention the downed tree limbs and all the yard debris clean-up that was left in their wake; but there is another thing you should consider.
Unfortunately, something that may not be top of mind – when we are stocking our pantries with canned goods, water and batteries; filling our gas cans and checking our generators; toting those sandbags and covering our windows to protect our homes in anticipation of an impending storm – is also at risk – your HVAC unit.
Built to withstand most weather conditions, HVAC systems are pretty sturdy, but that doesn’t mean they are immune to the flood and wind damage that can be inflicted by a hurricane. However, there are some things you can do in preparation for a hurricane…
To protect your HVAC system’s outdoor unit, clean up the area surrounding your unit by trimming trees and raking up branches and leaves. Also remove any objects that could transform into projectiles, such as patio furniture and potted plants. Plus, you’ll want to make sure that your outdoor unit is properly placed on its concrete slab. This includes being secured fastened, as well as placed on an elevated platform – to avoid water damage – if flooding is a concern.
Don’t worry if this all seems a little daunting. A maintenance visit by a trusted HVAC professional, like the ones at Anderson Performance Heating & Air, can help ensure that you have made any necessary adjustments.
