In 2023, 20 cyclones powered through Florida. Jacksonville Beach was fortunate to suffer limited damage from Hurricane Idalia, the most powerful storm to hit some parts of Florida in over 125 years.

Each year can bring hurricane surprises, so preparing your HVAC system to survive whatever the weather throws at it is essential.

Winds, storm surges, and flooding are the most common and damaging impacts of hurricanes. Each has the potential to do serious damage to your HVAC system. However, preventative home HVAC maintenance could help your system survive relatively unscathed.

We’ve put together a handy HVAC inspection checklist that will help you prepare for whatever this year’s hurricane season has in store.

Schedule an Inspection

Home HVAC maintenance is good, but before hurricane season, it’s vital to call a professional HVAC company to give your system a once-over. Not only can they handle everything on this list for you, but they can also spot issues that you might miss. As they cast an expert eye over it, they can identify potential weaknesses that could become an issue during a hurricane.

The Jacksonville Beach, FL, hurricane season lasts from June to November. However, things intensify from mid-August to mid-October. Although Jacksonville Beach is not as vulnerable as some other parts of the state, hurricanes raging hundreds of miles away can still impact it.

Call in a Jacksonville Beach HVAC company to give yourself peace of mind so you can rest easy when the wind blows!

Batten Down the Outdoor Unit

Your outdoor unit may look sturdy enough, but strong hurricane winds could rip it off its pad if it is not bolted down securely. Flying debris, such as tree branches and other objects, is another big risk for outdoor HVAC units. It can damage the aluminum coil fins around the copper refrigerant tubing.

Some key hurricane HVAC tips include:

• Check your outdoor unit is securely bolted to the concrete pad
• Add hurricane tie-downs — metal brackets, nylon straps, or metal cables — to your unit for extra protection
• Fit a hurricane cage made of strong tubular steel to protect the unit from flying debris

Prepare the Area Around the Unit

Almost anything not bolted down can become a dangerous projectile during a hurricane. So before the storm hits, assess your backyard and take precautions.

Consider moving the following to a secure location where they cannot become airborne:

• Garden furniture
• Parasols
• Yard debris
• Weak branches on nearby trees

Cleaning and clearing the area around your condenser unit can give it the best chance of coming off unscathed when the hurricane tears through your area.

Get a Surge Protector

In 2023, the Category 3 Hurricane Idalia wreaked havoc in the Jacksonville area. Along with high winds and downed trees, many areas experienced power outages.

Changes to the flow of power to your outdoor unit have the potential to do damage during a tropical storm or hurricane. So, it’s a wise move to install a surge protector.

Surges in power can damage:

• Circuit boards
• AC compressors
• Capacitators

Without a surge protector, you could be facing costly bills to repair and replace some or all of these sensitive components.

Surge protectors reroute excess current away from your condenser unit. They direct it into a grounding wire, which directs it into the ground, rather than allowing it to overwhelm the electrical circuits in your HVAC system. This reduces the risk of damage to your AC and eliminates the risk of electrical fires and shocks.

What to Do When the Hurricane Warning Arrives

As every Floridian knows, there are two stages to the hurricane alert process.

When you receive a hurricane watch notice, it’s time to start looking at your hurricane season checklist. It’s time to get ready to put the final touches on your HVAC preparations.

When you receive the hurricane warning, typically 36 hours before it makes landfall, it’s time to make the final preparations.

Turn off Your System

Before the storm hits, you need to cut power to your HVAC system. This will provide additional protection against storm surges. Wind, water, and electricity are a potent combination that can lead to fires, so keep things safe by shutting off the power.

Cover Your Outdoor Unit

Only after the power has been shut off can you cover your outdoor unit. Use the sturdiest, weather-resistant tarp you can find and strap it down securely.

The cover may not survive the storm if hurricane winds get extremely strong. However, while it is in place, it can help protect your condenser from flying debris that could cause damage that is expensive to repair.

Have a Jacksonville Beach HVAC Company on Speed Dial

After a hurricane has passed, assess the damage to your system. Some may be obvious, but there could be other damage that is not visible to the untrained eye. So, before firing up your AC again, it’s wise to call a Jacksonville Beach HVAC company.

They are trained to inspect your entire system for signs of damage. They will look at the condenser unit and check the electrical components for signs of damage. If they spot broken elements, they can fix them before they cause damage to other parts of your system.

If you choose to turn your system on without consulting professionals, listen carefully. Do you hear any unusual noises? Is cool air flowing through the vents as before?

If there are no strange noises and it’s working well, congratulations! You may have made it through the hurricane unscathed. But if you have any concerns, turn the system off and call in a Jacksonville Beach HVAC repair service immediately.

Let Us Complete Your HVAC Inspection Checklist

The hurricane HVAC tips above can help you prepare and survive the hurricane season with your AC intact. However, don’t forget step one on the HVAC inspection checklist. Be sure to call the professionals who can spot issues you may miss.

At Charlie’s Tropic Heating & Air, we understand the Jacksonville Beach climate and the impact hurricanes can have on HVAC systems. During an air conditioning maintenance service, we can check if your system is ready for whatever the hurricane season brings.

Call us at 904-867-8480 or click here to learn more and schedule a free inspection today!