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With hurricane season upon us in South Florida, it’s now time to start thinking about preparations you should take to protect your home. While there is an extensive list of easy annual tips to follow, one precaution that often goes overlooked is proper AC maintenance. Here the expert technicians at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric in Boca Raton explain everything you need to know to prepare your AC for hurricane season and when to leave it to the professionals.
Whether you’re a native Floridian or a recent transplant, our often-incredible hurricane season is no joke in the Sunshine State. Beginning on June 1 and lasting throughout November 30, Florida’s hurricane season usually sees peak activity between mid-August and late October when the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico are warmest.
While all hurricanes are dangerous, damages most often seen include wind damage, storm surges, and flooding. Large hurricanes get the most media attention, but your AC may also receive damage from tropical depressions and tropical storms. The differences between these storms are:
As you prepare your home for hurricane season, we often first think about bracing doors and windows and making sure our shingles are secure. With the laundry list of preparations, more uncommon issues, such as AC maintenance, can often go overlooked. The tips below will help you prepare your unit to prevent costly damages and repairs.
One of the best precautions you can take as hurricane season approaches is to make sure your outside air conditioner components are clear of debris and objects that might cause damage to the unit. High winds and strong rains can cause outside furniture and lawn décor to blow into your unit, which is why you should always make sure they are secure. Also, it is critical to remove loose branches and limbs from trees before hurricane season. Clearing leaves and other debris from around your unit will help protect your AC from damage.
As much of the Boca area is in a flood zone, it’s important to elevate your outside AC unit to help prevent water damages. Florida has updated their building codes to require all new installments to be raised, but it is also easy to elevate your existing unit. Because your unit is a costly and complicated machine, it’s critical to hire a professional, like those at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric in Boca, to make sure your unit is safely and properly elevated.
Though air conditioning is vital in South Florida during the summer, it can become an issue during hurricane season. Regardless of if you and your family decide to weather out the storm or evacuate, it is critical to shut off the power to your system. By cutting the power, it helps to prevent electrical damage from surges and reduces the risk of fire from debris.
After you disconnect the power to your AC, it is a good idea to cover the unit with an AC cover, heavy-duty tarp, or weather shield to help keep out debris and prevent harm. Make sure that you purchase a waterproof covering to protect from water damage. After the storm has passed, remove the cover before turning your AC back on.
Florida’s hurricane season is serious and can cause major destruction. Hiring expert AC technicians to prepare your unit for the upcoming season, like those at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric in Boca, allows you to have one less thing to worry about.
From annual maintenance, such as cleaning your system and removing debris, to projects like finding the perfect cover or elevating your unit, we have been helping Boca residents since 1983! If you have any questions about how to prepare for the season or need assistance, call us at 561-391-1048 or schedule HVAC service online today!
