After the hurricane: How to maintain AC units after the storm?

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Hurricanes are common in some specific parts of the world and the United States, Florida is known to have a hurricane season from June to November. The intensity and frequency of these storms vary, but in most cases, they are very damaging. Sometimes heavy rains result in flooding. Residents get trapped in homes and it’s nothing but chaos all around.

After the storm, it’s not a household that has to recover, but the whole community needs to get out of the damages and go for repairing and recovering activities. Hurricane damages structures, vegetation, and outdoor appliances like HVAC units. Hurricanes can be traumatizing for residents and they have no idea what to do and from where they should start the recovery process.

We have collected a list of all possible repairs that a common house has to go through. Inspect your home and see if your house needs these repairs or all of them.

Recovery repairs

Florida is a tropical state and hurricanes can be disastrous here. Depending on the strength, a storm can not only be damaging for structures but life-threatening for the residents too. People experience different kinds of problems, floods, broken trees, and power fluctuations are the most common ones. Damage to properties, particularly roofs, is also very common. With this variety of damage, you have to decide where you need to start.

Most people concentrate on roofs and cleaning their yards, but no one notices Air conditioning units, which also require your immediate attention. It is very necessary to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature after all the problems of storms.

What are the possible repairs for the air conditioning unit?

You need to inspect your AC unit before you turn it on again. There can be different kinds of damage that the unit may experience. Here we are discussing it in detail.

Physical damage to the outdoor unit

When you inspect your house to notice physical damages, damage to the outer unit or condenser Unit of the air conditioner can be one of them. Hurricane winds are very strong and can damage anything outside, it can be furniture on the patio, trees on the lawn, and window glasses too. When you inspect your condenser unit, it can be covered in dust or flooded with water. The damage is not only limited to the surface of the unit, the storm may have damaged some internal parts too. Displacement of condenser coils and breakage of electrical wires are common after the hurricane.

You may not find the outdoor unit in its original position. Strong winds can easily displace it. No matter what kind of damage your unit has experienced, don’t try to fix it yourself. You have no item about the extent of damage, so calling a professional is the right decision. A technician knows how to handle these problems and how to repair the broken parts. However, hire an experienced technician who knows his Job. An inexperienced person can cause more damage to your machine, instead of repairing it.

The air conditioner is not working

After a storm the air becomes very humid. To get rid of this humidity inside the house, the air conditioner can help. But sometimes the AC unit doesn’t even turn on, while you have properly shut it down before the storm.  There can be various reasons for its malfunction.

Power outage is common during a hurricane. Power fluctuations can cause problems in wiring and it stops working. In some cases, the voltage is not enough to start the unit. When the complete power supply will be restored, it will start working. However, if the outdoor or indoor unit has been damaged due to any reason, it will not work until the damage is repaired. You need to call a professional to fix such problems. He will examine the unit and may have to replace a few parts and the air conditioner will start working again.

Burning odor

When you inspect your unit, you may experience a boring odor and it will be coming from the unit. If so, don’t turn on your air conditioner. If you have already started it, switch it off immediately. Sometimes strong winds displace a few parts of the outer unit or wires touch each other, which leads to sparking and burning odor.

Problems like these can be avoided if you have a surge protector. Some people have these devices for the whole home, while others use them for appliances like air conditioners only. When the power supply is restored, usually there is a power surge that causes such issues. You have to consult professionals to fix these issues. They can guide you about surge protectors and their installation too, to avoid these problems in the future. In most cases, it’s the malfunctioning of the blower, which an expert can easily replace and your system will start working properly.

Schedule complete maintenance

Air conditioning unit is very important for every home. It is an expensive one and if you do not take care of it, it will get badly damaged and there will be no solution but to replace it. Proper maintenance is the secret to the long life of every home appliance, including the air conditioner.

Once the storm is over, you need to hire a professional who can inspect your unit. He will inspect indoor and outdoor units and check for any physical or electrical damage. He will repair it and your unit will be ready to work: But if you try to save money and will not do the maintenance activity, it may start working right away, but you will be facing problems in the long run.

Hire a professional techy with a good reputation. Technicians indeed charge money but they save your expensive appliances too. You will have a stress-free life if your appliances are working properly.

You cannot stop storms, but we can get ready for them. If they cause any damage, professionals are there to help you.

About Century Air Conditioning & Heating

Century Air Conditioning & Heat was established in 1986. We’re a family owned and operated HVAC contractor in Orlando, FL. For over 36 years, we’ve been a trusted source for air conditioning equipment, heating equipment and related services. Century is an A+ BBB accredited business.

Air Conditioning & Heating Services Offered in Orlando and surrounding Central Florida Areas:

Orlando Air Conditioner Installation Orlando Air Conditioner Installation
HVAC Air Conditioning Maintenance Orlando Air Conditioning Service

Hurricane and air conditioning units: Prepare your Air conditioner before the hurricane

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Hurricanes are common in different parts of the world. Every year they play havoc in a few states of the United States as well. Broken windows, uprooted trees, and damage to the garden are some of the effects of the hurricane. Storms also affect air conditioning units. To save your expensive unit, you need to protect it during hurricane season. Here we are discussing some tips, which can protect your HVAC unit.

Don’t ignore regular maintenance

Regular maintenance of all home appliances is very important for the efficient working of these machines. The same is true for the HVAC unit as well. Don’t ignore regular maintenance of your system. When you start preparing your unit before the hurricane starts with regular maintenance activity. Experts recommend that preventive maintenance must be done once a year. Maintenance activities prevent regular wear and tear and will prepare your unit before a stressful period. Moreover, it will save you money, which you have to spend on repairs if you ignore maintenance.

If you will not be ready for the storm, you may have to face heavy damage.

What to do before the storm?

Hurricanes are very damaging, but the good thing is, they can be accurately predicted. Weather forecasting centers can predict hurricanes 36 hours before the storm hits an area. This is enough time for the preparation. The duration and intensity of a hurricane can also be calculated now.

Most people run to store food items in the house, while others find shelters and other protection for glass windows. During this chaos, don’t forget to protect your air conditioning unit. Here are some steps, which you can take to protect your air conditioner.

  • Cover it properly: The first thing for safety is to cover the unit properly. A waterproof tarp should be in every house. Waterproof material will protect the unit, as rainwater can be damaging to the air conditioner.
  • Place the air conditioner on a concrete slab: You should take care of your AC at the time of installation. Keep it on a solid concrete slab. It will act as a foundation for the unit and when water collects like a pond on the roof, the slab will keep your unit out of water.
  • Use tie-down straps: The above-mentioned slab can also be used as an anchor for protection. Use tie-down straps and secure your unit. This is a building code requirement in many states of the United States like Florida. The straps should be strong enough to withstand high-speed winds. The speed of wind during a hurricane can be around 150 mph or more.
  • Clean your yard: The next step is to clean the yard and remove everything which can fly with strong wind. Remove patio furniture and if there is any outdoor toy. You can use your garage for the storage of such items.

A hurricane kit can help

In states like Florida, where hurricanes are common, residents must have a hurricane kit. The kit includes food, water, a first aid box, a flashlight, and a small radio. It covers the necessities and helps you to service during a hurricane. Hurricane kits are also available for air conditioners. They are installed with the units. If you use a generator to start your air conditioning unit, this kit will be helpful. If you have no idea about the kit, you can ask professionals. They will not only provide you with the kit but will install it too.

Maintain a comfortable indoor temperature before the storm

Storms are often accompanied by a power failure in the area. So, depending on the season, maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. In summer, use the air conditioner and cool down your home for the upcoming stress. Similarly, you can use heaters, if it is getting cold outside. In summer, keep it cooler than normal. Close curtains to add another protective layer and keep the temperature down for a long time.

What to do during the storm?

Now you are all set and have done all the preparation before the storm. When a storm hits the area, first of all, shut down your air conditioning system. There can be a power failure or in some cases power fluctuations, which can be damaging to the HVAC units, so shutting down is the best solution. You can use fans during the storm, but avoid using AC units. It’s not about the power supply only, lightning can also strike and can damage the capacitor of the AC. In this case, you have to do compressor repair, which can be very costly. To avoid such incidents you can use surge protectors. These are designed for the safety of air conditioning units. They protect against power fluctuations and lightning strikes.

What to do after a storm?

Finally, the storm is over, what to do now? Now you have to turn on your air conditioning system, but make sure the storm is over and it’s safe to turn on your system. However, inspect your unit before turning it on. Despite all the care and protective measures, if you notice any damage, don’t turn it on. Call a professional HVAC professional. He will inspect and evaluate the extent of the damage. If you see no damage, you can turn in the unit, but schedule an inspection by the experts. Sometimes the damage is not visible but it’s there and only an expert can figure it out. If damage is detected at the right time, it can save your expensive unit and save your time as well.

Hopefully, you will find these tips helpful and will have a safe hurricane season. Keep in mind that air conditioning systems need protection and safety for proper working. So make sure it is protected during any extreme weather conditions. Do regular inspections and maintenance to extend the life of your system. Hire expert technicians for maintenance and repair. Only experts can understand the problems of such complex machines. Inexperienced technicians can damage your unit.

About Century Air Conditioning & Heating

Century Air Conditioning & Heat was established in 1986. We’re a family owned and operated HVAC contractor in Orlando, FL. For over 36 years, we’ve been a trusted source for air conditioning equipment, heating equipment and related services. Century is an A+ BBB accredited business.

Air Conditioning & Heating Services Offered in Orlando and surrounding Central Florida Areas:

Orlando Air Conditioner Installation Orlando Air Conditioner Installation
HVAC Air Conditioning Maintenance Orlando Air Conditioning Service

Century A/C & Heating, Inc. | License #CAC057740
1650 S Bumby Ave, Orlando, FL 32806

Phone: (407) 894-8417
(Hablamos Espanol)

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