How to Prepare Your Air Conditioner for Hurricane Season
Although we never hope to have to deal with tropical storms, in Orlando it’s a reality we must be ready for. So if you don’t already have a plan to keep your home and family safe, be sure you think about air conditioner service when threatening weather is on the way. Of course it’s not the most critical thing during these times, but there are a few things you can do to help protect your heating and cooling system in the event of an emergency weather situation.
Batten down the hatches.
Or in this case, the air conditioner! Make sure your AC is firmly attached to its base. If any bolts or screws are loose to begin with, tighten them up. Then, take extra care by securing the air conditioner with reinforcement using bolts, straps, or rope. If it’s about time for your regular air conditioner service, your expert technician from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning in Orlando can provide a recommendation on the best way to secure your individual air conditioner.
Shut the system down.
This may seem like an obvious step, but in the initial stages of a violent storm it can be easy to panic and forget this and other small yet important tasks. Switch off your air conditioner from the thermostat first. Then, if you aren’t intimately familiar with your fuse box, it’s the perfect time to get acquainted! Switch off the fuse connected to your air conditioner and observe and note which fuses control other areas or appliances in your home. Doing so before an emergency saves you the hassle and uncertainty of having to do so in the dark later.
Clear the area around your air conditioner.
Hurricane force winds can do a lot of damage but so can a rake that has been flung into your air conditioner. As long as it’s still safe to be outside, make sure you clear the immediate area surrounding your air conditioner. This means furniture, tools, toys, and any other number of things that could turn into a projectile in unstable weather. Anything that could be lifted off the ground and flung towards your air conditioner (or your home, for that matter) should be moved to a safer place and secured there.
In the event that a hurricane or severe storm forces water into your air conditioner, DON’T restore power to your air conditioner. If you are unsure of its safety AT ALL, you should immediately call in a licensed professional to assess the damage. The professionals at Service Experts have seen it all before. So whether Orlando is expecting hurricane-like conditions or if you just want to schedule an air conditioner service before any future storms hit, call 407-329-7661 today or schedule an appointment online.
