With recent flooding and other severe weather disasters currently in the news, you're probably wondering how your HVAC system will fare if your home sees flooding, hail strikes or any other severe weather phenomenon. Although your HVAC unit is designed to deal with the everyday slings and arrows of the outdoor environment, it only takes a single encounter with severe weather to damage your HVAC unit beyond recognition.

Fortunately, there's plenty you can do to protect your HVAC system against incoming severe weather. Here are a few quick tips you can use to keep your unit protected in the face of a weather catastrophe.

Power Off When Severe Weather Arrives

Severe storms can cause humidity levels throughout your home to skyrocket, making it all the more tempting to run your air conditioner as a moisture-removing measure. However, keeping your HVAC system going throughout a severe storm can also leave it vulnerable to lightning strikes and floods - both of which could short-circuit your HVAC system if it's turned on.

To be safe rather than sorry, it's a good idea to power off your HVAC unit at the circuit breaker box prior to severe storms. If your HVAC system is exposed to floodwaters or struck by lightning, you may be able to have your unit repaired at a significantly lower cost than a complete HVAC replacement.

It's also good idea to invest in surge protection that benefits your HVAC system. A proper whole-house surge protector prevents temporary overcurrents from damaging crucial electronics within your HVAC system and elsewhere. You should have your HVAC technician choose the best equipment that's capable of protecting your investment and have it installed at the first opportunity.

Place Your Unit Under Cover

It only takes a brief yet strong gust of wind to send damaging debris into your HVAC unit. This sort of damage can do more than leave a few unsightly dents in your outdoor cabinet. When driven at high speeds by strong winds, sharp, heavy branches and other assorted debris can impale or shoot through portions of your HVAC system.

Putting a cover over your HVAC unit just before a severe storm strikes can help protect it against wind-driven debris. Instead of using an ordinary plastic or vinyl tarp, however, you're better off using a cover specifically designed for HVAC units. Most covers offer a mesh design that helps debris from getting inside while preventing moisture buildup.

Stow Away Outdoor Furniture

It's not just various bits and pieces of Mother Nature that can take flight during a severe storm. Your outdoor patio furniture and just about anything else that's not tied down can take flight. Your airborne furniture can even strike your HVAC equipment, resulting in serious damage that could of been easily prevented.

Before severe weather strikes, make sure you've put away all of your patio furniture as well as any other equipment or supplies that are currently lying around. If you can't store your equipment in a protected shelter, you may want to consider attaching it to a sturdy portion of your home using high-strength rope or chains.

Surround Your HVAC Unit with Sandbags

If you're expecting a flood in your area, you may be able to stave off the inevitable by building a sandbag barrier around your HVAC unit. The overall size and height of your barrier will depend on the amount of flooding expected for your general location.

There's no guarantee that this will be 100-percent effective, but there's also a chance that this tactic could save your unit and save you plenty of headaches when it comes to repairs and replacement.

Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any more questions or concerns about protecting your HVAC unit against severe weather.

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