When a tropical storm or hurricane is forecast for Pinellas County, your AC needs about 15 minutes of preparation.
Before the storm
Turn off the system at the breaker. Not just the thermostat — the breaker. Power surges during storms and when power is restored can damage the compressor, control board, and capacitors. Turning off at the breaker protects the system from surges coming through the electrical panel.
Clear the area around the outdoor unit. Remove anything within 10 feet that could become airborne — patio furniture, planters, garden tools, trash cans, loose fence sections. In hurricane-force winds, a deck chair through the condenser coil is a system replacement.
Do not strap the unit down with ratchet straps or tie-downs. The outdoor unit sits on a concrete pad and weighs 100 to 200 pounds. It is not going anywhere in a Category 1 or 2. Strapping it down can damage the refrigerant lines or electrical connections. If you are in a flood zone and the unit is on the ground, talk to your technician about an elevated pad or wall-mount bracket — that is a permanent solution, not a storm-day fix.
Do not cover the unit with a tarp. A tarp traps moisture against the coil and promotes corrosion. If you want debris protection, lean a sheet of plywood against the side facing the prevailing wind, but remove it immediately after the storm. The unit needs airflow to function and to dry out.
Set the thermostat to "off." This prevents the system from trying to start when power flickers during the storm.
After the storm
Do not turn the AC on immediately. Inspect the outdoor unit first.
- Check for visible damage — dents in the fins, displaced fan blade, bent refrigerant lines, debris inside the unit.
- Check for standing water around the unit. If the pad flooded, wait for the water to recede and the electrical components to dry before restoring power.
- Remove any debris that entered the unit through the top grille.
- Turn the breaker back on.
- Set the thermostat to "cool" and listen. If it starts and runs normally, you are fine. If it makes unusual noises, trips the breaker, or does not start, turn it off and call a technician.
If your system was damaged, call (727) 477-3256. We are available 24 hours, including after storms.