Prepare Your HVAC System for Storm Season

Springtime brings warmer temperatures, but it can also bring some strong storms to the Middletown area. When you’re working on spring storm preparation, don’t forget about your HVAC system. Heavy winds, storm debris and lightning can take a toll on your system, leaving you without the ability to heat or cool your home.

Schedule Maintenance

One of the most important things you can do to keep your system safe during storms is have routine HVAC maintenance done on it. This helps ensure that all of your system’s components are in good condition, making them less likely to sustain serious damage during storms.

Secure Loose Items

Windy conditions can send loose objects flying around your yard. If one of these objects hits your HVAC system, it can cause major damage. If you know that a storm with heavy winds is coming to the area, secure or put away these loose items, such as chairs, toys, gardening supplies and sports equipment.

Protect the Outdoor Condenser

Tree branches, landscaping and other types of vegetation can also be blown around during windy spring storms and end up damaging the outdoor condenser on your HVAC system. Trim dead or loose tree branches before storms hit, and clear away vegetation from around your condenser. If storms are supposed to be severe, you can even put a tarp over the condenser to protect it. Before doing this, shut off the circuit breaker for the condenser.

Locate Your Circuit Breaker

When severe weather is on the way, consider turning off the circuit breaker for your HVAC system. This helps lower the risk of damage to it if you lose power during the storm. As part of your spring storm preparation, make sure you know where this circuit breaker is, so you can get to it easily before bad weather comes to your neighborhood.

If you need HVAC maintenance or repairs this spring, contact C.R. Wolfe Heating & Air Conditioning. We offer HVAC services for homeowners in the Middletown area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Middletown, New York about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about storm preparation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 845-367-4482.

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