Readying Your Hvac For Bad Weather

It never crosses our mind that HVAC units need protection from inclement weather. All air conditioners except portable A/c shave external cabinets that contain two vital parts condenser coils and compressor. This cabinet in most cases is placed outside the house on the terrace or in the lawn. In inclement weather these units stand a high chance of getting damaged. Here are some tips to protect you air conditioners in bad weather.

Before storm

• An unstable air conditioner stands more risk of damages than those whose hatches are batten down. Therefore always check if the screws that hold it to the surface are tightened properly. If not, do so. Besides screws you can use ropes and straps in addition to secure it in place. When there is a forecast for violent storm, always check the screws and other reinforcements that keep the machine stuck to the ground.

• It is better to shut electric appliances before coming of a violent storm. You should first shut the air conditioner from the thermostat. Then go for the fuse box. Identify the fuse that connects to your AC. Pull it up to stop power supply to the machine. Do this before a complete black out, when you have to grope through the darkness to shut the AC from the fuse end.

• Always install a surge protector for your AC unit. This will prevent the power surges from the storms from destroying the wiring and parts of the equipment.

• Remove all the loose items scattered in the lawn which can become projectiles under powerful winds.These may include patio, grilles, furniture, tools, toys, that can rise up and dash against you air conditioner unit and damage it beyond repair.

• You can cover your a/c with simple tarp. This will keep away debris that will otherwise cover the unit. Debris and tree branches blowing hard on it can cause bent or damaged fins and coils. It will harm the condenser irreparably.

After storm

• After the storm recedes, first of all make sure that the unit was not under water at any time. If there is evidence of water that has gushed into the unit, never power it on. If you are unsure of its safety, you should immediately call in a licensed professional to provide an expert opinion

• In case the unit was safe from water, then check for other damages. Remove any debris that may have lodged around the unit. If there are shrubs that have loosened from the soil surface and fallen on the unit cluttering and smothering it, remove it. These things hinder the flow of air which affects the output. Make sure that there is no damage to the electrical or refrigerant lines.