SMO Energy

Summer storm season is upon us, which means it’s time to storm-proof your home HVAC equipment.

Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is an investment – it pays to ensure it remains well-maintained and your home keeps comfortable even during disruptive summer storms.

While it’s important to examine the durability of your HVAC equipment before purchasing it, keep in mind there’s a difference between a weatherproof HVAC system and actually preparing your equipment to withstand fierce storms.

Steps to Storm-proof Home HVAC equipment

“Loose items that could potentially damage your HVAC equipment should be removed or secured.”

Your first order of business should be to ensure your HVAC equipment unit is secured. Employing so-called “hurricane straps” or investing in a protective cage will help you prevent your home equipment or its components from moving about during a storm.

Next, use a waterproof tarp to cover your outdoor HVAC equipment . You can tie it down to keep it in place, ensuring your system is protected from rain and other debris. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll want to remove the tarp shortly after the storm passes, as it can result in mold and rust forming in heavy humidity.

To further protect your home HVAC equipment from debris, examine the area surrounding your system and prepare accordingly. Any loose items that could potentially damage your HVAC equipment should be removed or secured. This also includes trimming nearby trees, as heavy branches could fall during the storm and harm your equipment.

It’s also wise to invest in a backup generator before summer storm season hits, as storms often mean power loss. Consider how much power your home requires to function properly. An online electrical calculator can help you determine the proper backup generator for your home. Much like HVAC equipment itself, backup generators can be installed featuring housing units and enclosures that protect them from summer storms.

Put Expertise to Use

While you can certainly storm-proof your system yourself, from buying weatherproof HVAC equipment to clearing your property of debris, you can also rely on HVAC equipment expertise to assist with the storm-proofing process.

Having a NATE-certified technician perform a routine tune-up and examine your equipment before a storm hits will help ensure your system is running at peak efficiency and can hold up to nasty weather.

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