Since Florida has more hurricanes than any other US state, those in Port Saint Lucie must take care to prepare themselves for stormy weather. After all, with 40.4% of all US hurricanes about to hit them, property damage and safety concerns are important day-to-day considerations.
But when is hurricane season in Florida, exactly? How can you storm-proof an HVAC unit to keep your home safe and comfortable? Read on for a hurricane season HVAC checklist to adhere to before big storms hit the Sunshine State.
When Is Hurricane Season in Florida?
Hurricane season in Florida begins on June 1st. It goes throughout the entire summer and autumn, ending on November 30th.
As you can see, the season spans for six months – a full half-year. Preparing your HVAC unit for this long stretch of potential storms takes time and careful planning.
However, it’s also important to note that there are more and less likely times for hurricanes during these six months. 95% of category 3-5 hurricanes happen from August through October. September has the historically highest concentration of tropical cyclones in Florida.
That means you have all of June and July to prepare for most of the worst storms if you haven’t done so yet. It’s not too late to implement HVAC hurricane tips just because gray skies and thunderstorms are becoming increasingly common.
Don’t Skip Regular Maintenance
Poorly maintained HVAC units will struggle to run through Florida’s hurricane season. Their components won’t be strong enough to remain in place when harsh winds hit. The electrical equipment is also more likely to fail when power lines come down, and rain and hail damage can completely destroy the AC unit’s inner workings.
Routine HVAC maintenance can limit the likelihood of this destruction. Professionals will inspect your unit, replace insecure or malfunctioning parts, and ensure it operates at top capacity. This helps you remain comfortable in the muggy Florida heat all summer long.
Secure Your Air Conditioner
In addition to cleaning out dust and debris before hurricane season, Port Saint Lucie professionals will help you secure your unit prior to storms.
The first way to protect an HVAC during hurricanes is to put it on a raised platform. Hurricanes bring a lot of water into your space, which means a high potential for flooding. You don’t want your AC unit’s electrical wiring getting wet and short-circuiting.
Short-circuiting could mean a long-term malfunction that requires replacement. It can also cause a fire. Make sure that you make elevation a priority.
However, you also will need to secure your unit in other ways, namely with specialized fasteners called ‘hurricane straps.’ Hurricane straps are metal fasteners that tightly secure the AC unit to its platform. They’re extremely sturdy and don’t blow apart in heavy winds, which stops the HVAC from blowing away.
You or preventative maintenance professionals can also install a waterproof plastic tarp over the unit to stop water and hail from getting inside. This ensures that water damage doesn’t clog up your fans and coils so your unit stops working. It also prevents dings and dents from hail damage.
Clean Up the Surrounding Area
Most homeowners put HVAC units in their yards around trees, bushes, and plants. This might be fine during most parts of the year, but it can easily become an issue when heavy winds come to blow foliage around your space.
Cut weak branches off nearby trees to prevent them from falling onto the air conditioner. Trim your shrubs and get rid of loose leaves and sticks. You don’t want them breaking off the plants and blowing into the AC – they’ll clog it up.
Make sure to clean already-fallen debris off the ground, too. This is really easy for hurricane winds to lift up and throw into your air conditioner. Be comprehensive and check for potential hazards everywhere!
Protect Against Power Surges
Power surges happen when a high volume of electricity sparks inside one of your electrical devices. Your HVAC unit can sustain serious damage when the electrical current inside of it holds too high a voltage. It can fry itself and stop working entirely, and the spark that comes with the surge can also pose a fire risk.
Power surges are more likely during hurricanes than ever. This is because heavy winds blow power cords down and mess with the normal flow of electricity from cords to devices. Wet, rainy weather also increases the likelihood of damage to outlets and electrical wiring in your home.
Get a surge protector to combat potential problems. Have an experienced professional link this protector to your current utility line.
Then, make sure that you turn your HVAC unit off at the main control panel before a hurricane hits. If you don’t, you’re leaving it susceptible to surges. If it’s off, you won’t need to worry about surges and spikes.
Check on Your Unit Post-Hurricane
Once the hurricane hits, you’re still not done taking care of your AC. Even if you took all the proper precautions and crossed off all parts of your hurricane season HVAC checklist, it still may sustain some storm-related damage.
Look for common warning signs that you need a residential or commercial AC repair service. Odd sounds, high electric bills, and uneven cooling throughout your space are all red flags that something is wrong.
Even more importantly, call in experts for a quality inspection right after the hurricane hits. It’s a common cause of damage, and it’s best to make sure that everything’s still in place and ready to function properly. A preventative inspection can save you unnecessary payments on future electric bills, and it can ensure that you don’t need to wait for a long time to get repairs during hot future months.
Prepare Your HVAC for Storms Today
So, when is hurricane season in Florida?
It spans the entire summer and autumn, so it’s important to adhere to a comprehensive hurricane season HVAC checklist to keep your unit safe and secure.
Now that you have the best checklist on the net, it’s time to begin preparing for extreme weather in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Kuebler Mechanical offers a wide range of services, including routine maintenance, emergency repairs, and hurricane readiness preparations.
Contact our team to learn how we can secure your unit and keep your home comfortable even in stormy weather conditions.
