Should You Run Your Heater or Air Conditioner During a Hurricane?

Pool and Electrical Contractors Serving Tampa

If there are two things we know to be true in Florida, it’s that hurricanes comes and go, and air conditioning is more a necessity than a luxury. Knowing how to protect you home and family before, during, and after the storms pass is important, but knowing what to do to keep you’re A/C running is as well. Powering your system off during a hurricane will prevent costly repairs that you might incur if you leave it running.

Here are some steps that will help you to weather the storm and be as comfortable as possible afterwards.

Before the Storm

Hurricanes move slowly and you’ll have sufficient warning if one is threatening your area. Run your air conditioning at a lower temperature in the days leading up to the storm. This will allow your home to reach a cooler temperature so than you can maintain comfort for longer if you have to shut it down. If possible, also protect the outdoor unit of your system from flying debris.

Evacuation

If you’re told to evacuate, you should not only shut down your air conditioning, but you should disconnect all of the electricity to your home at the circuit box. If there’s standing water by your circuit box, call your power company and ask them to shut off the power at the meter.

Power Surges

Any severe storm can cause power outages and power surges. You can protect your HVAC system by installing a surge protector, just as you would for your TV or computer.

Storm Damage

Storms can cause damage to your HVAC system, especially if you have flooding in your area. It may be necessary to have your system inspected by a professional before resuming operation. If any of your system is damaged, you can work with your insurance company to have the repairs completed.

Hurricanes will come and knowing how to prepare for them will help your family and your HVAC system to survive the storm.

For nearly 30 years, Hawkins Service Company has been serving the Tampa area. We are experts in all things electrical and have earned an excellent reputation for quality work and outstanding customer service. Our services include commercial and residential electrical, plumbing, and HVAC sales, installation, and service. Our team of licensed and highly trained professionals have hundreds of years of combined experience and can help you with any service issues related to your home.

While our technicians can handle service related to any brand of HVAC system, we are proud to have earned the designation as a Trane Comfort Specialist and Dealer. We are dedicated to excellence, which is why we go above and beyond to ensure that your needs are met.

To learn more about our company and the services we offer visit our website or call us at 813-488-0939. We look forward to hearing from you!