How To Prepare Your Air Conditioning Unit For A Hurricane

Matthew HritzNOLA AC BLOG

Everyone in the New Orleans area knows how to prepare for impending hurricanes. From stocking up on non-perishables, water, and gas to boarding up windows and obtaining sandbags. Hurricane preparation is nothing new to the people of the Greater New Orleans area. One thing many people overlook when protecting their homes is their air conditioning unit. Whether you plan to ride a storm out or evacuate, here are some preparation tips to help protect your outdoor air conditioning system.

Shut off the power

Turn the thermostat down a few extra degrees. You will want the house a little bit cooler before you cut off electricity to the unit. You are likely to lose power during the hurricane and cutting off the electricity to your air conditioning unit will prevent any power surges that could damage the unit.

Elevate your AC

Securely elevate your air conditioning unit, especially if you live in an area that floods easily. Although rainfall won’t necessarily harm your AC, severe flooding can submerge your AC which can cause short-circuiting or even permanently damage your AC unit. Elevating your outdoor unit could possibly prevent this.

Secure outdoor equipment & property

If elevating your condenser unit is not an option, be sure to firmly anchor it to the ground. Depending on the windspeeds of the storm, your unit could become a dangerous projectile. Speaking of dangerous projectiles, securing outdoor furniture is not only essential to protecting the outdoor condenser unit, but also vital to protecting the rest of your home. The best way to secure potential projectiles is to bring them inside your home or some type of shed. You could also submerge them in a pool if that is an option.

Post-Storm

If your air conditioning unit was flooded during a storm, it is important to let it dry completely. Then, you should contact an air conditioning expert, like River City’s Total Maintenance, to safely assess the damage. Our expert technicians can help you determine if the air conditioning unit is salvageable or needs to be replaced. We proudly serve the residents of Metairie, Kenner, Northshore, and all of the Metro-New Orleans area, pre and post-hurricane season, for any type of AC repair or maintenance.