Prepare Your Home & Your Family for Storm Season
There’s a reason our beloved hockey team is named the Hurricanes. Like our “bunch of jerks,” these storms are strong forces of nature that can do a lot of damage when they get going!
Hurricane season spans several months—most commonly they strike eastern North Carolina between June 1st and November 30th—and these storms can be catastrophic. For example, in 1999 Hurricane Floyd, the most devastating storm in North Carolina’s history, damaged more than 67,000 homes and destroyed over 8,000.
Though hurricanes of Floyd’s magnitude are not frequently seen in North Carolina, other storms such as Fran, Hazel and Donna have caused many people to lose their homes.
Ensure you’re prepared for hurricane season with these tips from our Comfort First experts!
Keep Your HVAC Maintained & Clear Of Debris
The same summer weather that brings hurricanes brings excess humidity. Your air conditioner’s job is not only to keep you cool, but also to remove this humidity from your home. However, over time, your system will inevitably suffer wear and tear, making it impossible to remove moisture at an acceptable rate. Dirt and debris build-up will waste energy and put a heavy dent in your monthly income.
To avoid unnecessary repair costs and ensure optimal AC efficiency, trim back bushes, shrubs, grass and trees at least 2 feet from your outdoor unit. This will minimize trapped debris and allow for air to easily pass through the unit and cool your home properly. And as always, make sure you schedule regular maintenance check-ups with a licensed professional to keep your entire system running smoothly, no matter what Mother Nature brings our way!
Invest in a Nest Thermostat
By now, most homeowners know the benefits of a smart thermostat. It allows you to control the temperature of your home from anywhere with a wifi connection, saving you time and energy, but did you know the Nest thermostat can integrate with Weather.com and automatically adjust itself to provide the most energy-efficient temperature settings? This modern technology saves money on your power bill, but it also helps you know when to prepare for summer storms!
Prepare for Flooding
While you’re waiting out the storm, you may be anxiously wondering what kind of damage the high wind speeds and heavy rain are doing to your property. When the skies have cleared, one of the worst things you can discover is that your HVAC system has flooded. Be sure to call a professional right away before turning on your unit if you observe any flooding, as electrical components can turn deadly while suffering water damage.
Get A Generator
Depending on the severity of the storm, your home could be at risk of losing power. Waiting out a lengthy storm without any AC could raise tempers as well as the temperature! When all of your neighbors are left in the dark, Honeywell generators will keep your lights on and HVAC running! Even when the storm passes, outages can last for hours, days or even weeks while technicians repair the power lines. However, with an efficient generator, you’ll be able to cook, clean and stay cool, so you can keep your family comfortable and safe!
Secure Your Belongings & Safety
As Hurricane season approaches, it is imperative that you know exactly how to prepare should a storm approach. One of the most important steps you can take is constructing a safety plan and kit. Consider gathering the family and discussing where the nearest disaster shelter is located and which exits are best in case you need to evacuate your home. You may also want to store flashlights, rope, a radio, a first-aid kit, water, snacks and ponchos in a secure location, and make sure everyone knows where to locate the kit in case of an emergency.
Additionally, tie down your outdoor unit, outdoor furniture and play equipment to avoid damage to your home caused by heavy winds, and cut down dead trees to keep debris from falling on your vehicles, outdoor HVAC unit and home. Though preparing for an oncoming storm can be stressful, these tips will ensure you and your family are fully equipped to handle the elements!
Is Your AC System Prepped For Summer Weather?
Be sure you and your family are fully prepared for the complications summer brings, so you can enjoy all of its benefits. Give us a call anytime at 800-279-4822 or contact us online to get your home ready for hurricane season!
