Before the storm
Turn off at the disconnect. Every outdoor AC or heat pump unit has a disconnect box mounted on the wall next to it. Flip it off before the storm arrives. This protects the unit from power surges if the grid flickers during landfall.
Don't wrap it in plastic long-term. A lot of guides tell you to tarp your outdoor unit. Skip it unless the storm brings hail. Wrapping traps moisture underneath and causes more corrosion than it prevents. If you're worried about wind-blown debris, a breathable cover made for AC units is fine; painter's plastic sealed tight is not.
Secure or remove loose items nearby. Patio furniture, potted plants, trash cans. Anything that can become a projectile and dent your coils or bend your fan blades.
Photograph your equipment. Before the storm, take clear photos of your outdoor unit, model/serial number plate, and indoor equipment. If you need an insurance claim after, this saves a fight later.
Know your equipment's age and model. Write down or photograph the data plate. If you need emergency service after the storm, this speeds up the whole process.
During the storm
Nothing to do here except stay safe. Don't go check on the unit mid-storm.
After the storm, before you touch anything
Never re-energize a submerged unit. If your outdoor unit was underwater, even briefly, do not flip the disconnect back on. Electrical components (contactor, capacitor, control board) that got wet can short, and worse, can electrocute anyone standing in wet grass nearby. Call a licensed tech for inspection first.
Check for visible damage before restarting. Bent fins, debris in the fan, cracked refrigerant lines, or a unit knocked off its pad are all signs to call before flipping power back on.
Watch for water intrusion at the indoor unit. If your air handler or furnace is in an attic or closet that took water, don't run it. Electrical components and insulation soaked with water are a fire and mold risk.
Smell test before running gas equipment. If you smell gas near a furnace or water heater after a storm, don't touch anything electrical (including light switches). Get out, call the gas company and 911.
Getting your AC back on safely
Once you've confirmed no visible damage and no water intrusion:
- Wait at least 24 hours after any flooding recedes before attempting restart
- Visually inspect the outdoor unit for debris, bent components, or standing water inside the cabinet
- Flip the disconnect back on
- Listen for unusual sounds on startup
- Check that cool air is actually coming from vents within 10-15 minutes
- If anything seems off (weak airflow, no cooling, strange smell, tripped breaker), shut it back down and call a tech
Why Coast homeowners should have a tech's number saved before hurricane season
Post-storm HVAC demand spikes fast. Every company on the Coast gets flooded with calls the moment power comes back. Being an existing customer, or at least having called ahead of storm season to get on a list, moves you up the queue.
Keith's prioritizes storm-damage assessments after any named storm. If you're a Care Plan member, you get priority scheduling automatically.
What insurance typically covers
Most homeowner's policies cover storm/wind damage to HVAC equipment (a tree branch through your unit, wind-thrown debris damage, lightning strikes). Most do NOT cover flood damage to equipment unless you carry separate flood insurance, which is common but not universal on the Coast.
If your unit is damaged, document everything (photos before touching it), get a written repair-or-replace quote from a licensed contractor, and file your claim promptly. We can provide detailed written estimates that adjusters accept.
Questions before, during, or after a storm: call (228) 265-8609. Answered 24/7, storm season included.