A summer thunderstorm rolling through while you’re relaxing on the porch? Not so bad. That same storm knocking out your power, with alerts blowing up your phone? A whole different story.
You’ve lit the candles. Grabbed the flashlight. Hopefully you’ve got bottled water on hand and a fridge that isn’t too freshly stocked. And if you really thought ahead, you pre-downloaded a few shows so the evening isn’t a total loss. (Genuinely solid tip. Zero HVAC relevance. We’ll allow it.)
Here’s the thing nobody preps for, though…your furnace and air conditioner are riding out that same storm, right alongside you. And unlike your phone, they can’t just power down and wait it out. Let’s talk about why your HVAC system deserves a spot on your storm season checklist, too.
What happens to my HVAC system in a storm?
Southwestern PA doesn’t do storms halfway. High winds, flying debris, flash flooding, power surges, your outdoor unit takes the brunt of all of it, and your ductwork and indoor air quality aren’t far behind.
Your condenser or heat pump is built to handle a lot, but it’s not built to take a direct hit from a patio chair cartwheeling across the yard or a branch coming down on top of it. We often see bent fins, cracked casings and mangled fan blades after a major storm.
Sitting low to the ground? Flash flooding turns your unit into a swimming pool. Water finds its way into electrical components and what starts as a minor short can turn into a full system failure.
Then there’s lightning. A single strike or a rough grid fluctuation can fry a control board or take out a compressor.
When the power flickers before it fully goes out, your system cycles on and off, over and over. If your filter’s dirty and restricted, your blower motor is working overtime.
How can I storm proof my HVAC system?
- Schedule professional maintenance with Shafer’s before storm season hits
- Clear loose furniture, planters and debris away from your outdoor unit
- Swap your air filter so your system isn’t fighting an uphill battle
- Know where your disconnect switch is, so you can shut the system down fast if flooding starts
When the power does come back on, resist the urge to just flip the switch and move on with your day. Walk outside first and check your unit for visible damage, debris or standing water.
If you catch a musty smell or notice extra humidity creeping in, that moisture that snuck in while your system was down might be worth a call before it becomes a bigger problem.
Your generator gets you through an outage, but your HVAC system is what keeps your home comfortable, safe and healthy once the lights are back on, so give it attention on your storm prep list.
Don’t wait for the next storm warning to think about it. Shafer’s HVAC has kept Armstrong, Allegheny, Butler, Indiana and Westmoreland County homes and businesses comfortable for many decades.
Contact us today to get your system storm-ready before the next one hits.
