Preparing Your HVAC System for Extreme Weather

Learn how to help your HVAC equipment weather a storm and how to speed recovery after extreme weather events.

July 30, 2024

Tornadoes have already torn through Midwestern and Southern states this year including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. And the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, predicted to be one of the most active on record, is just getting underway.

If you live in an area prone to tornadoes or hurricanes and tropical storms, it pays to be prepared. Hurricane preparedness and tornado preparedness involve making a plan to safely take care of your family in the event extreme weather is headed your way. Ready.gov has some great tips for that.

While it may not be on your hurricane preparedness list, you can also prepare your HVAC system for extreme weather now - before the next big storm strikes.

Protecting and preparing your AC unit or heat pump

Protecting your outdoor AC unit or heat pump from extreme weather includes protecting it from wind damage as well as flooding. Let’s take a look at how to prepare for a hurricane or tornado when it comes to the condenser unit or packaged system.

Protect from wind damage

High winds from hurricanes and tornadoes can do an immense amount of damage. Those winds can also topple or lift an outdoor HVAC unit and toss it around like an angry child might throw a toy.

You can help prevent that from happening by taking a few steps today. Remove any debris or small items near the outdoor unit. Cut back any overhanging tree branches well before a storm is imminent. Strong winds can blow items into your unit or cause tree limbs to break and fall on it.

Check your outdoor unit for loose screws, and tighten any that you find. If you don’t already have a concrete hurricane pad for your AC unit, you can improvise. Use straps and tie-downs to secure your outdoor unit. Condenser unit tie-down kits help permanently anchor the unit to the concrete pad or elevated stand that the unit is sitting on.

They’re commonly known as hurricane clips but can protect your unit during a tornado as well. Follow the directions that come with the kit to secure the unit. For a temporary solution, you can also use ratchet straps and stakes to tie down your AC unit or heat pump - 4 stakes and two crisscrossing straps.

Flood protection

If you live in a coastal area such as the Mobile-Pensacola area, New Orleans, or along the Carolina coastline, you know the storm surge from a hurricane can cause as much or more damage than the wind.

Take steps to protect your outdoor unit from flooding by elevating it. This is not a DIY job - consult your trusted HVAC company to discuss options including a higher concrete pad or a raised condenser unit platform to which you secure the unit.

Protecting the entire HVAC system

Now that we’ve discussed protecting the outdoor unit from wind and flooding, it’s time to move indoors and think about protecting the system as a whole.

Surge protection

Lightning strikes, flickering power, and total power outages can damage your HVAC system. A preventative measure you can take is to install an HVAC surge protector. They’re not overly expensive and can protect an expensive system. They work similarly to the surge protector power strips you may already use to protect your home electronics such as TVs and computers.

You’ll need a surge protector that is specifically designed for HVAC systems. Look for one that can handle repeated power surges, extreme temperatures, and extreme humidity. It will protect your system during hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and random power outages.

Consult with an HVAC professional to ensure that you purchase an HVAC surge protector that is compatible with your system and will fit in the space available. They may even have brands to recommend. You should also hire a licensed HVAC company to install the surge protector.

Flood protection for the indoor units

Floodwater can make its way into your basement or crawl space as well - whether it’s rising groundwater or water entering through above-ground windows. Consider installing a basement waterproofing system with sump pumps and a floor drain to keep water away from your HVAC system.

Read our blog on How to Protect Your HVAC System from Flood Damage for more detailed information on protecting both the indoor and outdoor units.

Keep your system running in a power outage

Finally, if extreme weather strikes and your HVAC system survives unscathed but the power is out, you can be prepared for that, too. Consider investing in a powerful portable generator or a whole-house generator.

Depending on what generator you purchase, you may be able to power your refrigerator/freezer as well as your air conditioning. You avoid having to throw away spoiled food and you and your family can stay cool even in the heat and humidity that can come with a tropical storm or hurricane.

Your home could become a haven for neighbors who weren’t so lucky.

Schedule air conditioning repair or heat pump repair

If your system was damaged in recent severe weather, including a tornado, hurricane, or tropical storm, getting your cooling system back online quickly can help you get things back to normal, or at least comfortable.

Connect with your local American Standard dealer to schedule HVAC repair or HVAC replacement. For over 100 years, we’ve designed and manufactured some of the most awarded, well-engineered heating and cooling equipment and earned a reputation for doing things right.

Anne Fonda

Content Writer, Trane Technologies

A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.