Preparing Your Home and HVAC System for Tropical Storm Nicholas
September 13, 2021
Our office is closed today, September 13 and we will plan to reopen for normal operations tomorrow, September 14 at 11:00am.
As Tropical Storm Nicholas makes landfall in the Corpus Christi area, Tropical storm warnings have been issued along the Texas coast from Port Aransas to Freeport. It’s likely our area will see strong winds, heavy rain, and potential flooding.
As our team prepares for the storm, we’ve put together some tips to keep your home and HVAC system protected. While air conditioners are designed to withstand severe weather conditioners, if your unit is subject to significant debris damage or high-water, this can result in costly damage.
If your unit is subject to submerged water (even a few inches), turn it off immediately. A unit that is running or turned on while exposed to standstill water can result in an electrical shock hazard. An electrical current in the water around an air conditioner can cause system damage and electrical jumping, which can ruin internal components.
Another concern of an air conditioner being used with standing water is if the air intake forces water into the air ducts, bringing water into the home and resulting in further damage. Should you experience flooding around your HVAC unit, play it safe by shutting off power to your A/C system. We recommend you turn off the power from your thermostat and circuit breaker.
Don’t underestimate debris! With strong winds, the chances of branches, trash, dirt, etc., making their way into your unit can burn out the motor and cause damage. Be sure to inspect your unit after a storm and clear it of any debris. Depending on the type and level of debris that impacted your unit, you may want to wait before turning your unit back on. Hidden debris inside the unit can cause buildup and become a potential fire hazard.
Keep in mind that if your unit is exposed to flooding or damage from debris, turning it back on right away can make any problems worse. For example, even if your unit looks fully dry, it may still have wet components inside, which may cause additional damage to your unit.
Contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating® of Corpus Christi
The safest approach is to call an HVAC expert to inspect your unit for damage after the storm. This will ensure your unit is operating safely and properly.
Our team will keep an eye on the conditions as Tropical Storm Nicholas makes its way through our area, should we need to stop all calls and/or push back appointments, we will update our local website and social media accordingly.