Hurricane season is here. Is your home ready to withstand a storm? NOAA has already predicted an above-normal hurricane season, so now is the time to think about how you’ll prepare your home for any potential storms.
The good news is that you have time before the peak of the season to figure out how to prepare your house for a hurricane. We’ve got 5 tips for you to help you make sure your home is as protected as it can be. Read on to learn more.
1. Cover Your Air Conditioner
Your outdoor air conditioning unit it susceptible to any flying debris or large items that are not secured outside. Check with your air conditioner manufacturer to see what they recommend. Some covers will void the warranty, so make sure that whatever you cover the unit with will not impact your warranty.
It’s also wise to have preventative maintenance done on your unit at the start of each season (the start of summer coincides with the start of hurricane season) to make sure everything is working properly.
2. Install Surge Protection
A whole-home surge protector is a relatively inexpensive way to protect your home from any power surges or power flickering. They are typically connected to your home’s electrical service box and will keep any harmful electrical currents from impacting your home in the event of a power surge.
This is especially important for appliances like your air conditioner, as a power surge could destroy the entire unit. You should also turn your air conditioner off during a hurricane, as repeated power interruptions can damage the unit.
3. Secure Outdoor Units
Many homes built in Florida use a hurricane pad for the outdoor air conditioner unit. These pads are heavier than normal concrete pads and meet code requirements for hurricane protection. When building your home or installing a new air conditioner, make sure that a hurricane pad is used.
If you don’t have a hurricane pad, you can also secure your outdoor unit with hurricane straps, or take an extra level of protection by using hurricane straps attached to a hurricane pad.
4. Stock Your Emergency Kit
A well-stocked emergency kit is one of the most important things to do to prepare for hurricane season. Things like water, non-perishable food, batteries, chargers, and flashlights are necessary, as a loss of power that could last several days or even weeks is a real possibility.
You may also want to consider a home generator as well, to power your house even in the event of a power failure. Florida has a period of time every year where hurricane supplies are tax-free. Take advantage of this, especially for a big purchase like a generator.
5. Secure Outdoor Areas
Any outdoor furniture or other items become air-borne missiles in a hurricane. Make sure to secure this furniture with straps or bring it inside. Flying lanai furniture can do a lot of damage to your home and your air conditioning unit outside.
You also don’t want to have to fish it all out of your pool after a hurricane, so do yourself a favor and make sure it’s secured.
How To Prepare Your House for a Hurricane 101
Use these tips for how to prepare your house for a hurricane to get ready for the upcoming hurricane season. One of the most important things you can do now is to stock your emergency kit and do preventative maintenance on your HVAC unit.
Contact us today to come out to make sure your unit is ready for hurricane season.