Hurricane season is an anxiety-inducing time for many people. It is crucial to take the necessary precautions to protect your household! Preparing for severe weather conditions can help to prevent damage after a hurricane.
Ball Heating and Air Conditioning is here to help you gather your hurricane essentials. Read on to learn how to prepare your home for this hurricane season!
Create a Hurricane Preparedness Kit
Regardless of the weather’s severity, it never hurts to have a disaster preparedness kit on hand. An emergency kit will be helpful in the event of an adverse hurricane. A few necessities to include are:
- Three days’ worth of nonperishable foods
- One gallon of water per family member per day (for drinking and sanitation purposes)
- First-aid supplies
- Prescribed medications
- Flashlights and batteries
- Battery-powered radio
- Toiletries
It is crucial to recognize extreme weather-related warnings in advance. These items are essential for your household hurricane prep.
Remove Potential Windblown Objects
Strong winds can blow away patio furniture and other outdoor materials. These objects can damage your household’s exterior or outdoor components. Also, trimming your tree branches can prevent problems from occurring during a hurricane.
Protect Your HVAC System
Extreme weather conditions can have detrimental effects on your heating and cooling system. Taking precautions can help prevent costly repairs on your home’s HVAC unit.
Turn Off Electricity
When preparing for a hurricane, you should unplug all electrical appliances. Power surges can severely damage your heating and cooling system. Shutting off its breaker will help prevent destruction to the unit.
Cover Exterior Components
Strong winds from hurricanes can be harmful to your outdoor HVAC unit. Debris from trees and other windblown objects can damage its exterior. Covering the system can protect your unit from debris and other damages.
Thus, professionals recommend using breathable materials, such as a waterproof tarp. Failure to remove heavy coverings can cause mold and mildew to form inside the system.
Secure Your Air Conditioner
You can secure your outdoor AC unit by tightening its bolts or using hurricane straps. These methods will help keep the base intact.
Strong winds can blow away window AC units, which is why it is best to remove them beforehand. Hurricane straps can help secure the system if removal is not possible.
Elevate Your Outdoor Unit
Hurricanes can often cause a buildup of floodwater. Uplifting your unit can prevent water damage from occurring after continuous heavy rain. So, you should enlist the help of a professional when elevating your unit to prevent any impairments from occurring.
Check HVAC System for Damage
After the storm has passed, you should check your unit for issues before starting it up again. Clear away any debris or buildup inside of the system before turning it on. If you notice any visible issues on its exterior, professional maintenance can help.
When turning on your unit, listen for any abnormal noises. If any strange noises persist, contact a technician to correct the problem.
Biloxi Hurricane Preparation
It is important to prepare for hurricanes in advance. The team at Ball Heating and Air Conditioning prioritizes your safety! If you have questions about how to protect your HVAC system, give us a call today!
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