As the weather changes throughout the year, it’s important to make sure you’re taking precautions to protect your HVAC unit from severe weather. Here are five tips to help you do this and avoid suffering losses as a result of damage to this important appliance.
Secure It
To make sure that your unit stays safe no matter how strong the winds get, you should find a way to secure it. Either secure it to a concrete base or attach it to one of your outdoor walls. This will ensure that it doesn’t get blown over by strong winds and suffer damage as a result. You could go a step further and secure all items around it or ensure that they’re a reasonable distance away from your HVAC. From lawn chairs to garden tools, don’t leave anything to chance as strong, fast winds can turn them into a projectile that could destroy your HVAC.
Use a Surge Protector
In severe weather, it’s not rare to experience electrical issues. These could cause power surges that could cause your unit to short circuit. Since you may not always be nearby when the weather takes a turn for the worse, it’s a good idea to get a surge protector which will turn your HVAC unit off when it senses a change in voltage.
Turn It Off
In case you’re at home when the weather gets severe or you’ve heard in the forecast that it will get worse, you should take the precaution of turning off your HVAC. Unplug it from the electrical outlet to make double sure and only plug it back in when the weather settles down. Unless there’s a very good reason why you should leave it plugged in, remember that it’s better to err on the side of caution.
Cover It
Another way in which you can prepare your HVAC for severe weather is to either wrap it up in a tarp or buy a cover for it. Doing this will ensure that no debris gets blown into your unit’s coils or motor. If you use a heavy-duty cover, it will also protect your HVAC from hail, loose branches, rocks, and other materials that may be sent flying about by the high winds. Remember that you won’t be able to use the unit while it’s covered.
Have It Inspected
Finally, a proper inspection by a professional and honest HVAC technician is mandatory if you want to keep your unit safe throughout, even in bad weather. This is because if your unit is poorly maintained, it’s more prone to getting damaged by severe weather. Things like leaks, cracks, dirt, and debris inside the unit will leave it in a delicate condition that needs very little outside force to worsen.