Living in Galveston, TX means you get to experience some beautiful weather throughout the year. But it also comes with the risk of severe storms and potential damage during hurricane season. Securing your AC unit for the strong winds and heavy rains is essential to keeping your home safe and comfortable.

Here at George’s Air Conditioning, we’re experts in AC maintenance and prepping cooling systems for hurricane conditions.

Secure the Outdoor Unit With Hurricane Straps

The strong winds that occur during a hurricane can easily shake or even lift the outdoor part of the AC from its platform. This is why securing the condenser unit with hurricane straps is so important. These straps are specifically designed to hold the AC in place during storms. They wrap around the base and bolt the AC to the concrete pad, preventing it from moving or tipping over during extreme weather.

Trim Trees and Shrubs Near the AC Unit

There’s a good chance branches will break during a hurricane as a result of high winds and heavy rain. If there are any trees and shrubs near the outdoor part of the AC, this puts it in the direct path of falling debris. Trimming the nearby trees and shrubs will help prevent impact damage so your unit stays protected. You’ll want to maintain several feet of clearance all around the AC, including vertically and horizontally.

Cover the Outdoor Unit With a Protective Tarp

Once you have the AC secured with hurricane straps, it’s time to cover it with a tarp. But any old tarp won’t do. In fact, if you use the wrong kind, it can actually trap moisture instead of protecting the unit. Breathable tarps are the correct kind to use. These versions have ventilation and water-resistant materials so the unit can stay dry during the hurricane.

Install a Surge Protector for Your AC

Electrical surges are quite common during hurricanes, especially when lightning strikes nearby. When these surges take place, they can fry the electrical parts of the AC. To keep this from happening, we recommend adding a surge protector to the cooling system. If you want, you can add surge protection to the entire house using a whole-home protector.

Elevate the Outdoor Unit if Flooding Is a Risk

There are several neighborhoods and areas throughout Galveston that are located in flood-prone zones. These parts of the city have a higher risk of cooling system failure during a hurricane. As the water rises around the base of the AC, it will damage wires and cause rust. There’s an easy way to keep this from happening. It involves placing the outdoor AC unit on a raised platform made of concrete or some other sturdy material. We recommend letting us help you with the platform installation so we can make sure its height is correct.

Seal and Insulate Exposed Ductwork

A lot of people forget to protect their ductwork during hurricanes. This can prove costly since the air ducts are a key part of your cooling system. If you have ducts running through your garage, attic or crawl spaces, you must make sure they don’t have any gaps in them. If they do, this will let moisture seep in during the hurricane. Sealing and insulating the ducts is the best way to keep this from happening.

Check and Replace the Air Filter

You never want your AC to run with a dirty air filter. This restricts airflow, causing the system to use extra energy to keep the home cool. It also worsens indoor air pollution since dust, dirt and allergens will recirculate through the vents. As your AC tries to make up for the reduced airflow, it increases the risk of breakdowns since the parts wear out faster. This means you might end up with an AC that doesn’t work at all when you need it most. With a clean filter, the AC will run efficiently with strong airflow and less strain.

Secure Any Loose AC Components

A couple of days before the hurricane hits, check all of the cooling system for loose parts. You don’t want any unsecured screws or bolts to become dangerous projectiles in high winds. They can quickly damage nearby property or even become a hazard to your safety and health.

Clean the Condensate Drain Line

When your AC runs, it sucks moisture out of the air as part of its cooling process. This moisture then drains through a condensate drain line. Anytime the line clogs with algae, mold or other debris, it can cause water backups, resulting in costly property damage. To ensure the line doesn’t clog, you can clean it with a mixture of white vinegar and warm water. This will wash away any buildup or blockages. If you come across a stubborn clog, you may need to use a wet/dry vacuum to suck it out. A clear condensate drain line reduces the risk of water damage if you have to use the AC during a hurricane.

Take Photos of Your AC for Insurance Purposes

Ideally, you’ll have insurance on the home that can cover any damages the property endures during the storm. Getting your claims to go through will be much easier if you have before and after images. This is why you should always carefully photograph the whole cooling system from different angles, both before and after the hurricane. After you take the photos, store them in the cloud or email them to yourself so you have easy access if you need to make an insurance claim. Make sure to photograph all components, connections and visible damage.

Test Your Backup Power Supply or Generator

Many homes in Texas have generators or backup battery systems for their cooling systems. These power supplies can keep the AC running during a hurricane, even when the power goes out. However, they must have a proper charge to function reliably. If you have one, you must ensure a few days before the storm that it’s fully charged, fueled and in good working condition. If you’re considering adding a generator or backup power supply for your cooling system, we can help you choose a compatible option.

Label Breakers for Easy Power Shutoff

The last thing you want during a hurricane is to go to the breaker box only to discover you don’t know what each breaker controls. This can lead to detrimental situations, like accidentally shutting off the AC or failing to cut power to a damaged area. By using clear, waterproof labels, you can ensure everyone in the home knows which breaker connects to which appliance or system.

Install a Protective Cage Around the Unit

Some homes in Texas add protective cages around the outdoor part of the AC. These cages have special design specifications that make them durable and impact-resistant. If you add one of these, you must ensure it has a tight, bolted connection to the concrete pad and doesn’t block airflow. Many of these cages even come with lockable panels to prevent theft or tampering that can sometimes occur during storm evacuations.

George’s Air Conditioning is here to answer any questions you have about prepping your AC for a hurricane. We specialize in AC repairs, installations, replacements and tune-ups.

Call George’s Air Conditioning now to access fast, reliable AC service in Galveston.

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