The hurricane season in the mid Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico ended a few months ago. We’ve had blizzards and Nor’easters throughout the East Coast and Midwest this winter. Now that it’s nearly spring, we can expect storms and tornadoes in the midwest and plenty of wind and rainfall everywhere else.
Your first priority in the event of severe weather is for the safety and welfare of your family. You also want to make sure that your home is safe, and this means taking several steps of precaution with your HVAC system. What can you do before, during and after a storm? The following are Bradley Mechanical’s recommendations to make sure your system is safe during this stormy season:
When the Weather is Clear
First, you’ll want to make sure that you have chosen units that can withstand extreme weather. Choose an air conditioner and a heater that will not be thrown air or washed away by winds and rain. Cooling and heating systems from Bradley Mechanical, for example, are the safest, most secure units around. Before the storm season starts, you’ll want to make sure that your units are anchored to a flat concrete slab. If you are in an area with high winds or hurricanes, you may want to fasten your units with straps. Also be aware of any pots, furniture or other objects near the unit. You can prevent potential damage by removing unsecured objects from around your system.
During the Storm
When the weatherman tells you a thunderstorm is coming and the sky begins to darken, you may want to turn the power off completely. This will help to avoid damage that can be caused by sudden outages or major surges from lightning strikes. You also want to cover your units with a tarp to protect from debris or soil. Thunderstorms can often cause surges which can damage the electrical system in your home. You can install a surge protector on your HVAC unit to mitigate the spikes and surges that inevitably occur. You may want to speak with a trained and licensed HVAC technician to make sure your surge protector is the right type and correct capacity.
After the Storm
When the rain stops and the winds die down, you want to remove your tarps and inspect for any debris or soil that may have become trapped in the system. Also try to identify if there are signals of harm to the refrigerant or electrical lines coming out of your air conditioner. If it looks like there could be a problem, you want to contact a qualified technician at Bradley Mechanical to make a proper assessment of the unit and to verify if there are any electrical problems. Once you’ve been given the okay, immediately turn on the HVAC unit to circulate air throughout your home. Proper circulation will prevent mold or mildew from getting into the system or the ductwork.
Stay safe and dry this season, and keep your home safe by choosing the best system and by keeping it secure when the storms come.
