AC Services For Hurricane Season

It’s the start of hurricane season here in Florida which means that it’s going to be sweltering hot for the next few months. In order to keep cool during this time, you have to make sure that you have a functioning AC to get you through those high Fahrenheits. One thing that we see regularly is that the power goes out and ACs get damaged as a result. Luckily this damage to your AC system can be avoided by properly taking care of your unit. We at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric offer AC services during hurricane season to help protect your unit for the rest of the year.

These are some simple steps to follow to ensure that your air conditioner is safe throughout the hurricane season.

1. Turn Off Your AC
   Make sure that you turn your AC off during a Hurricane Watch as it is common for power to go out and this loss of power can cause problems with your AC later on. Then there are power surges. The problem with power surges is that they can cause fires in your home which could be disastrous. Make sure that you turn your air conditioner off at the circuit breaker to make sure that your AC is properly powered off. It is advisable to install surge protectors to protect the circuits and wiring of your AC during the hurricane season. We as air conditioning professionals know exactly how to install surge protectors and to turn off your AC units at the circuit breaker, so make sure to contact us when preparing for hurricane season!
2. Don’t Forget Your Outdoor Unit
   When preparing for hurricane season, make sure that you also take care of your outdoor unit. As part of the new Florida regulations for air conditioners, your AC needs to be raised above the ground, for example, on a concrete slab. When getting ready, make sure that you cover your outdoor unit so that debris and dirt doesn’t get inside of it, but also to make sure that you don’t have a fly away unit. This could be quite troublesome and can cause damage to nearby houses or to your own home and can incur extra costs later on for installation of a new outdoor unit. Cover outdoor units with a tarp or plywood as this protects your AC unit from wind and rain damage.
3. Remove Window AC Units
   The problem with window AC units is that high speed winds can rip the AC unit out of the window and it can be used as a projectile. This can be very dangerous to both your AC unit, your window, your home and to yourself as it can be used as a projectile to damage your house. Therefore, it is advisable to have a professional remove your window AC units along with its wiring to prevent this from happening.
4. Invest in a Backup Generator
   As a South Floridian, one knows that it is a nightmare not to have an air conditioning system that works, especially during the night as it is very hot and uncomfortable to sleep. Big storms can cause power surges and damage to the AC if it is not protected, and you can be left without an air conditioning system or power. So, investing in a backup generator is a good idea because it will allow you to still be able to use your air conditioning when the power goes out, if the storm has passed.

After a storm has passed, make sure that you get an AC technician to inspect your AC units and check for debris and dirt and to ensure that the unit hasn’t become flooded. If any of these are present, your AC technician will know the best way to fix the problem.

If you would like to protect your AC during this year’s hurricane season, let one of our licensed comfort specialists at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric help you, or give us a call on 1-800-475-1504 today!