View SpecialsDo you have a recovery plan? Or, better yet, did you have a plan to begin with? Storm damage to your HVAC system can carry long-term effects if not prevented or immediately identified.
Heavy rainstorms have the potential to flood the outdoor components of your HVAC system, and heavy windstorms often disrupt electrical connections (which is a very dangerous situation both indoors and outdoors).
Dealing With The Dangers Of Storm Damage
There are surface-level hits that result from a storm, like various dings and dents to your unit’s exterior. And then there are interior electrical problems that may occur if your HVAC system is not adequately guarded.
As a precaution, these measures should be taken pre-storm:
√ Protect your unit with a canvas cover (Make sure you take it off before powering up the system again)
√ Remove loose objects in the yard
√ Install hail guards
√ Install a sump pump
Sometimes external dings can grow into bigger, internal issues, so it’s important to shield all areas of your system (inner and outer) from storm damage. There are also specific areas of your unit that should be checked promptly post-storm:
√ Condensing unit
√ Fan motor and blades
√ Refrigerant line
√ Duct shields
√ Air filters
√ Heat-pump components
Protection Priorities
Prepping for a storm involves various methods of shielding your HVAC system, but certain aspects of your unit become greater threats depending on the weather pattern.
For Hailstorms
Install hail guards to the fans of your outdoor coils. This protects your unit from damage by large pellets. Hail guards are placed over the vent opening and provide greater protection than a standard grill.
For Windstorms
Your main concern with wind should be electrical connections and cables. Loose, broken or even slightly twisted wiring poses a threat not only to everyone around it, but also to everything nearby. A mangled wire has the potential to send voltage surges through home wiring, causing total destruction to your unit.
For Rainstorms
Flooding usually begins in the basement, so you want to keep a close eye on your basement ducts. Water is especially damaging to the various parts of your system: If they get wet or are submerged underwater for long periods of time, they become rusted and don’t function as efficiently. Be sure to take apart your system and dry each piece thoroughly if there is any water contact.
Your HVAC unit wasn’t specifically made to weather storms, but it’s more likely to withstand one if you prepare properly. Nonetheless, storms sometimes strike unexpectedly. To make sure your unit hasn’t undergone any serious damage in the face of Mother Nature’s tempest, inspect your HVAC once the weather has cleared and call in a professional for storm damage repair.
Want to know more about shielding your HVAC unit from storm damage? Contact the On Time Experts! Your very own Comfort Consultant is standing by to help keep your family comfortable year-round.
