After Severe Storms, Take Precautions Before Starting Heating and Cooling (HVAC) Equipment
After severe storms like the ones that have recently ripped through the Frederick area, homeowners need to take several precautions before attempting to salvage or restart heating and cooling (HVAC) equipment.
“It’s important to remember not to immediately restart heating and cooling equipment after a severe storm because it can be dangerous and could cause further damage,” said David Scurto, Owner of Dave’s Cooling & Heating in Frederick. “The equipment may be severely damaged; its wiring may be damaged or it may have debris lodged in it. These are some of the many reasons why it’s best to have a qualified service technician inspect your heating and cooling equipment after a severe storm.”
Homeowners should not be too anxious to get things back to normal after a storm because improper maintenance and preparation can cause problems years later.
Take precautions to ensure your safety
To ensure your safety and prevent further damage to equipment, you should take the following steps after a storm:
- If the storm caused flooding, don’t start equipment until you are certain there is no water inside any components. If you’re not sure, don’t start it.
- Have a reputable electrician or a technician from the power company or city inspect your home’s internal and external wiring to make sure they’re dry and safe before you turn on any electrical equipment.
- If the power company gives you approval to turn on the electricity in your home, but you think you may have a problem with your heating or cooling equipment, have the service company disconnect the equipment from the electrical source. Get the equipment serviced properly first.
- If there was flooding, open equipment and, if possible, get some air circulation going to speed the drying process.
- Use only reputable service companies. “Unscrupulous companies can descend on disaster areas,” Scurto said. “Be careful. If necessary, go without service a little longer to make sure you get what you pay for.”
To find out more about protecting your heating and cooling equipment after a severe storm, call
Dave’s Cooling & Heating at 301-401-2780.
