One of the best things about living in Florida is its beautiful weather. From the bright sunshine to the warm breezes, and blue clear skies. When those skies darken, though, it’s important to make sure that your air conditioner is protected. Here’s what you can do to help your AC ride out the storm.
- Protect Wires
In order to prevent dangerous shorts that can happen during a storm, make sure that wires between your home and your air conditioning unit are secured and covered. Remember that even insulated wires gradually deteriorate because of exposure to the elements, so make sure that they’re in good condition.
- Install a Surge Protector
Living in Florida, you’re no stranger to electrical storms. Lightning can hit your home and potentially zap your entire electrical system. Specifically, it can cause blown fuses, burnt wires, scorched capacitors, and seared compressors.
A whole-house surge protector can be installed at the breaker box for your AC. This will not only help when you’re walloped by a big storm, but it will protect your AC from little surges that can add up over time. A surge protector is also helpful if a storm hits when you’re not home.
- Install a Finial
A fini…what? A finial, more commonly known as a lightning rod, isn’t typically installed on residential homes. However, we experience so much lightning in Florida that a lightning rod could do the trick. Lightning rods are useful when a house takes a direct hit. They permit the current to flow through a safe path to the ground so that it doesn’t blow out your AC.
- Elevate Your AC Unit
If your area suffers from downpours that produce standing water, it’s a good idea to elevate your unit above the ground on a concrete pad. A pad is a square-shaped concrete base that lifts your unit several inches off the ground to prevent water damage.
It’s also fairly heavy, so your AC unit won’t be uprooted in moving water. The pad’s height can be adjusted to make sure it will effectively keep your air conditioner above the water level. Make sure it’s anchored to the concrete with hurricane straps so it stays securely in place during a storm.
- Install a Hail Guard
Even small hailstones can bend and dent your AC unit’s fragile fins. That’s why a hail guard is worth considering. Hail guards are thick metal mesh covers that can stay on your unit all year without interfering with cooling. They’re resilient and install easily.
- Secure the Condenser
Powerful storm gusts can knock over your air conditioner’s outdoor condenser. If a condenser topples, it could be damaged or completely destroyed. Fixing or replacing it could be quite costly. Progressive Air Systems knows an AC is a big investment and we can help get it up and running again if it’s damaged by severe winds.
- Get a Generator
A generator provides your home with backup power when your main power source fails. They’re useful during Florida’s many storm-related brownouts and blackouts. Be sure to choose a generator that’s the right size. If it’s too small to handle the wattage needed to keep your AC running, you’ll have problems.
If your air conditioner has endured a major storm, the professionals at Progressive Air Systems can pinpoint damage and make any necessary repairs. Our highly experienced team has been proudly serving the Tampa Bay area since 1985, and we’ll make sure your AC weathers the storm.
