It’s been a rainy couple of weeks, and hurricane season is upon us! These severe weather conditions can put a strain on your HVAC system. To ensure your comfort and the longevity of your HVAC equipment, it's crucial to take proactive measures before severe weather strikes, including storms and extreme heat waves. Preparing your HVAC can safeguard your system, maximize efficiency, and maintain a comfortable indoor environment during challenging weather conditions.
How to Prepare
Clear Debris
Before bad weather is set to hit you, it's essential to clear any debris or loose objects around your outdoor HVAC unit. Trim nearby bushes, branches, or trees that could potentially damage the unit during high winds. Remove leaves, dirt, and other debris that might obstruct the unit's airflow–airflow is crucial for efficient HVAC operation, especially during extreme weather conditions. Regularly inspect the area around your outdoor unit and keep it clean and free from potential hazards.
Secure Outdoor Unit
High winds and storms can pose a significant threat to your outdoor HVAC unit. Take preventive measures to secure it in place. Use hurricane straps or brackets to anchor the unit securely to the ground. Additionally, consider installing a protective cover or a hail guard to shield the unit from severe weather elements. These precautions help prevent damage and ensure that your HVAC system remains operational during and after a severe weather event.
Check and Insulate Ductwork
Inspect your ductwork for any signs of damage or leaks. Severe weather conditions can exacerbate existing issues, which can cause energy loss and reduced system performance. Seal any visible gaps or leaks with appropriate duct sealant or mastic. Additionally, consider insulating exposed ductwork to minimize heat gain or loss, depending on the weather conditions. Properly sealed and insulated ducts enhance the efficiency of your HVAC system in general as they provide optimal airflow and temperature control. Of course, this can be an arduous task if you're not familiar with this part of your home. When in doubt, call up a professional.
Test Backup Power
Power outages often accompany severe weather events, as many of us have experienced. To ensure that your HVAC system can stay running, consider investing in a backup power source, such as a generator or uninterruptible power supply. Regularly test and maintain your backup power system to ensure it is in working order when needed. A reliable backup power source will provide peace of mind during severe weather, allowing your HVAC system to continue functioning and maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Routine maintenance is essential for the optimal performance and longevity of your HVAC system, especially before severe weather arrives. Schedule a professional HVAC inspection and maintenance service with us before the season of severe weather begins. A trained technician will assess your system, clean components, lubricate moving parts, and identify any potential issues. Timely maintenance can address problems early on, preventing major breakdowns during critical weather conditions.
Adjust your Thermostat
Before severe weather hits, it's advisable to adjust your thermostat settings to optimize energy efficiency and comfort. For instance, during extreme heatwaves, set your thermostat a few degrees higher to reduce strain on the system and save energy, as setting it too low can cause your system to work way too hard which can cause breakdowns–something you definitely don’t want during a heatwave! Similarly, during cold spells, lower the temperature slightly to avoid excessive heating and minimize energy consumption. By making these adjustments, you can adapt your HVAC system to the anticipated weather conditions and improve overall efficiency.
The bottom line
Your HVAC system is absolutely crucial to your comfort, and here in the South, we would even say it’s essential to your well-being as well. We can’t mess around with Texas heat, especially during heatwaves or severe weather events like hurricanes which very regularly can knock power for hours to weeks at a time. Preparing your system to the best of your ability ahead of time can truly make a difference and we will always recommend taking precautions before crazy Texas weather strikes.
Call us
Curious about how to implement any of our pieces of advice as you prepare your HVAC system for severe weather? Need to schedule some routine maintenance, or have any other questions relating to your HVAC system? Please, don’t hesitate to give us a ring. We would be delighted to speak to you and help you along the way.
For a direct line to any of our employees ready on the line to help you, please call…(512) 651-4565 for our Austin, Texas community (806) 686-0050 for our Lubbock, Texas community. Or check out our website at https://www.tripointrefrigeration.com
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