The state of Florida has already declared a state of emergency in anticipation of Hurricane Helene. It’s time to batten down the hatches and ensure that your home and family are safe and one thing to check off would be to secure your HVAC system from the heavy winds that are coming our way. While there’s no substitute for a professional coming to your home to make sure your AC system is airtight, we thought we’d provide a list of 6 DIY tips to protect your HVAC during a hurricane on the First Coast!

As a reminder, Ocean State offers 24/7 emergency service and while the hurricane may delay our technicians somewhat, we’ll be able to make it to your home to repair any damage as soon as we possibly can!

1 | Secure Your HVAC System

The National Weather Service is predicting high winds from Hurricane Helene which can cause your system to become dislodged. A good way to avoid your system succumbing to the winds is to secure it with hurricane or condenser straps as well as various tie-downs that can be found at your local Lowes or Home Depot.

2 | Clear The Area Around Your System

You’d be surprised how much damage debris can do once it’s lodged in your HVAC system. Before the hurricane arrives, be sure to clear the area around your system so that nothing flies into it during the heavy winds coming our way.

3 | Prepare For Power Outages

Sweating through a post-hurricane power outage is incredibly uncomfortable so you should prepare accordingly by setting your thermostat to a lower temperature before the storm arrives. By doing this, you’ll ensure that your house remains cooler for a longer period of time if you do end up losing power.

4 | Turn Off The Power To Your HVAC Before The Height of The Hurricane

By turning off the power on your HVAC system right before the height of the hurricane, you’re preventing power surges and electrical smoke that can be incredibly hazardous. Be safe when you do this and ensure that you’re cutting off the power at the main electronic control panel.

5 | Elevate Your System If It’s In An Area Prone To Flooding

This might not be an option for everyone, but if your area is prone to flooding (as Jacksonville certainly is) then consider elevating your system on a platform of some kind so that it doesn’t incur any flood damage.

6 | Photograph Your System Before and After a Hurricane

We all know that homeowner’s insurance adjusters aren’t exactly the most inclined to help you out in the event your system becomes damaged so collect as much evidence as possible for a potential claim by photographing your system before and after the storm.

We sincerely hope that Hurricane Helene changes course and spares The First Coast of any dangerous weather but it’s never a bad idea to be as prepared as possible. At Ocean State, we’ve seen countless hurricanes during our 49+ years in business and we know how harmful they can be to HVAC systems. We think of this community as members of our family and while we’re always available to get your HVAC system back on track, we hope these DIY tips will keep your Jacksonville HVAC system safe and secure during the hurricane!