Air Conditioning Service in Baton Rouge: Protecting Your A/C Unit This Hurricane Season

Along the Gulf Coast, we typically stay hurricane ready throughout the summer. It is always better to be safe than sorry and scrambling around last-minute attempting to figure out how to prepare has been proven to be quite the headache in the event of a storm hitting South Louisiana.

We know the basics: bring in outdoor furniture, secure branches and trees, board or tape the windows, and have items like water, nonperishable food, batteries, generators, and gasoline ready to go but many folks remain unsure of the best way to keep their air conditioning units safe during a storm. Here are some simple tips that you can follow to protect your A/C unit this hurricane season.

Keeping Your Unit Safe Through a Storm

In the event of a hurricane, things can be tense, but protecting your air conditioner is simple. One of the first safety tips- not only for your HVAC appliances but for your home overall- is to shut off all breakers, including the ones to your air conditioner. This will protect you from power surges that can damage your electronics and appliances as well as cause fires.

Some cities, parishes, and subdivisions require that your unit is fastened to the ground using grounding hooks to secure it from gusts and tornadoes. These hooks are usually dug into the ground and use metal bands that can withstand the elements.

Next, you should protect your unit from flying debris and excess moisture. If you have a slip cover, place it over your unit. If you do not, secure a tarp over the top of your unit. This will keep debris from getting caught in the fan blades and will protect the unit from flooding with rain water.

When the storm has passed and you are ready to start your air conditioner up for the first time, remove the tarp and inspect the unit.Check for obvious signs of damage such as fallen limbs or the unit moving or shifting position. Allow the unit to run but monitor its performance. If it is not blowing cold air or working as it should, there could be damage that requires the attention of an HVAC technician.

If you have questions about keeping your unit safe, callGlaze Heating and Air and we can walk you through it. Being prepared is our best defense during hurricane season and Glaze is here to provide South Louisiana with the services needed to keep you and your family in the know with all of your HVAC equipment questions.