If you live in Florida, you’re very familiar with hurricane season. On average, the state experiences at least one major hurricane every three years. Fortunately, there are many ways to storm-proof your HVAC system.
However, besides changing the air filter, most of these tasks require expert help. That’s why it’s so important to book a pre-storm maintenance visit with Plumbing, Cooling & Electrical Nerds. We make it simple to keep your HVAC unit safe during extreme weather in Naples, FL.
Inspecting Electrical Connections
The wiring connected to an HVAC system can wreak havoc on your property when a hurricane hits. The heavy winds might tug and loosen connections, causing shorts and power surges. Heavy rainfall may seep into exposed wiring, potentially leading to electrical failure. During AC maintenance, we’ll check all wiring to ensure it’s secure and properly insulated. This will help prevent it from becoming loose or pulling free during extreme weather.
Sealing Air Ducts
Your home has pathways for conditioned air to travel into each room, also known as air ducts. If there are cracks or holes in these ducts, the conditioned air will escape. As a result, the HVAC system will have to operate in overtime mode to keep you comfortable. This not only causes extreme wear but also increases your energy bills. An expert here at Plumbing, Cooling & Electrical Nerds can find and fix air leaks in your ducts. This will do much more than just prep the ducts for hurricane weather; it will also improve air quality, boost energy efficiency, and enhance overall indoor comfort.
Clearing the Condensate Drain Line
Your air conditioner does a great job at removing moisture from the air to help you feel cooler. This moisture drains through a condensate drain line. If the line leaks or becomes clogged, it can cause water damage and reduce system efficiency. You might even notice microbial growth from the standing water and excess humidity.
Before hurricane season, an HVAC technician can flush the drain line to ensure proper drainage and prevent backups. This is a small and simple task that makes a huge difference for system performance and indoor air quality.
Checking for Rust and Corrosion
Your HVAC system, particularly the outside unit, is vulnerable to rust and corrosion from Florida’s salty air. Damage like this, if left unchecked, can cause electrical problems and damaged equipment. Treating the affected areas for rust will prevent the corrosion from spreading, helping your equipment last longer and perform better.
Installing a Surge Protector
Hurricanes are well-known for causing power outages, which can fry your HVAC system if it doesn’t have surge protection. A whole-house surge protector is an excellent way to keep this from happening. It works like a barrier between the HVAC unit and power supply. If you don’t want whole-house protection, you can still add a protector to the HVAC system. Doing this is an absolute must for ensuring the appliance can operate safely during extreme weather conditions.
Checking Insulation and Refrigerant Lines
Your air conditioner uses refrigerant as part of its cooling process. The lines that the refrigerant flows through need insulation to prevent heat loss and damage. When a hurricane hits, strong winds and flying debris can damage these lines. As part of maintenance, we’ll check the lines to ensure they have proper insulation and protection.
Testing the Thermostat
You should think of your thermostat as the brain of your HVAC system. It tells the air conditioner and heater when to turn on and off and adjusts temperatures. If it stops working or the batteries go dead, your HVAC unit may stop responding or run inefficiently. This can lead to major problems like uneven temperatures or system failure during a storm.
During the pre-hurricane check-up, we’ll test the thermostat and make sure it has fresh batteries. We might need to recalibrate or replace it if it’s malfunctioning. If you’ll be away from home during the hurricane, you can still get remote access to the HVAC system with a smart thermostat. These versions can even send you alerts and system updates so that you know if anything goes wrong.
Replacing the Air Filter
Air has a harder time passing through your system when the air filter is dirty. The increased load on your HVAC system increases the risk of overheating and reduced ventilation. To make sure your unit is ready for hurricane season, you’ll need to change the filter just before it starts. If you’re not comfortable doing a filter change, we can handle it for you.
Finding and Tightening Loose Parts
The panels, screws, and bolts on your HVAC unit can loosen over time. The strong winds during hurricanes can shake them even more and cause parts to detach. Anything that rattles or comes off can damage the appliance or become a safety hazard. We’ll inspect and tighten all fasteners to make sure everything is secure and stays in place during a hurricane.
Labeling System Components
Darkness, chaos, and panic are quite normal after big storms. Having the electrical panel properly labeled can reduce chaos and confusion by helping you quickly find the right breaker. You need to know what each breaker goes to in case you need to shut off power or reset circuits. If you’d rather not do it yourself, we’ll gladly test and label the breakers during the maintenance visit.
Planning for Post-Storm Inspections
You might think your HVAC system is perfectly fine after a storm, but it’s still a good idea to book a post-storm maintenance check. Water can get inside of wires, wind can knock parts loose, and salty air can corrode components. With a post-storm inspection, you can rest easy knowing we’ll find any problems. By fixing minor wear and hidden damage early on, you’ll save money and avoid bigger repairs down the road.
Plumbing, Cooling & Electrical Nerds is ready to answer any questions you may have about storm-proofing your HVAC unit for hurricane season. We offer repairs, maintenance, and installations for ACs and other HVAC systems. Contact Plumbing, Cooling & Electrical Nerds today to book reliable HVAC services in Naples.
