If you live in Gonzales L.A. you know that severe weather is practically inevitable. No matter how hot the weather gets or how dry the atmosphere becomes, the rain eventually falls bringing with it thunder and lightning. Most people are more than prepared for severe weather, they have their umbrellas, rain coats, rain boots and so on and if the storms get really terrible, we just stay indoors. But what about your A/C units? Your air conditioners by virtue of position are always exposed and as such are affected by every little weather change. It is exposed to the sun, the wind, sand and rain and all these external factors can start to affect the performance of your unit.

severe weather prepSo in order for you to properly care for your air conditioning system and ensure they survive the elements here are some tips to guide you:

Inspect Your Gadget

It is always advisable to get periodic checkups of your HVAC units regardless of the prevailing weather conditions but even more so when you’re about to enter the stormy season. If there is a tiny little problem, a storm can exacerbate it and make it even more expensive to fix up. Get a reputable A/C company to take a good look at your air conditioner and see if there are any problems to be solved.

Strap It Down

During severe weather in Gonzales tends to come with strong winds that are powerful enough to lift up the whole unit or important parts and send them flying across the neighborhood. Strapping down your air conditioning unit can ensure it stays put.

Cover It Anyway

Strapping down your HVAC unit won’t protect it from flying debris and the ravages of rain so when the severe weather hits, cover it up. Flying debris can scratch your air conditioner and too much rain can ruin important parts like the compressor. Once the severe weather starts, cover it up with a tarp or construct a plywood cage beforehand.

Get A Surge Protector

Lightning strikes can ruin your electrical appliances. Installing a surge protector for your unit can ground the lightning thereby protecting your air conditioning unit and also other appliances in your home from electrical damage.

Turn It Off

A surge protector may not always protect your air conditioner from electrical damage so once the storm starts its best practice to turn off the unit while you wait for the storm to pass. However once the storm is past, you ought to turn it on immediately to prevent mold growth.