Protecting Your HVAC: Storm Preparation

Protect your HVAC by securing the outdoor unit, adding surge protection, clearing debris and shutting equipment off before severe storms. Afterward, inspect for damage before restarting anything.

Storms hit Upstate NY and Vermont year-round

Summer thunderstorms bring lightning and downpours, fall and spring bring strong wind, and winter adds ice storms and heavy snow. Our region may not make national headlines for weather, but storms regularly cause power surges and outages, and your HVAC equipment sits exposed outside.

A little planning keeps a bad night from turning into an expensive repair.

Keep a basic kit: flashlight, phone chargers, bottled water and a list of the shutoffs for water, fuel and electricity. Know where your breaker panel is.

Surge protection

Lightning and utility power swings can destroy compressors, control boards and circuit boards in minutes. Whole-home surge protection at the panel and dedicated surge protectors at the equipment are the best defense. Surge protectors are part of how we install Mitsubishi systems, along with aluminum stands, pan heaters and quality line sets, because we aim to eliminate the things that cause problems later.

Unplug or switch off sensitive equipment, such as a thermostat or a ductless indoor unit, only if you can do so safely. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are standing in water.

Before a storm

• Clear leaves, branches, toys and loose objects from around the outdoor unit
• Trim limbs that could fall onto the equipment or lines
• Check that the unit is level and secure on its stand
• If a severe storm or lightning is forecast, switch off the thermostat and breaker for the AC or heat pump
• Tidy gutters and downspouts so water drains away from the foundation

Take photos of your equipment and nameplates before the season. It helps with insurance and with identifying parts later.

During an outage

When the power goes out, turn off the thermostat. Wait several minutes after power returns before restarting, because rapid power cycling can stress compressors. In winter, protect pipes if the heat is off for a long time; our post on frozen pipes explains how. Generators should be run outdoors only, away from windows, and furnaces or boilers wired to a generator need a proper transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician.

After the storm: inspect before restarting

Walk around the outdoor unit and look for bent fins, damaged lines, loose wires, standing water or debris inside. Do not pressure wash coils. If the unit was under water, do not run it. A professional should inspect it first. After an ice storm, remove ice carefully from around the unit and from intake and exhaust vents on high-efficiency furnaces.

Check the furnace and water heater exhaust vents for blockage, since wind-driven snow or debris can cover them. Look at your oil or propane tank and regulators for damage as well.

Snow and ice on equipment

Heat pumps and AC condensers need clearance. Snow drifts and ice buildup can block airflow, and falling icicles can bend fins. Keep the unit above the snow line on a stand, and clear around it by hand rather than with a shovel against the coil. Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat outdoor units have defrost cycles built for our winters.

Ice that builds up on the fan guard or coil of an outdoor unit should be removed gently by hand or allowed to melt, never chipped with a tool.

Call for service

If equipment doesn't run, trips breakers or looks damaged, call Superior CO-OP HVAC at (518) 719-5614, or book any hour with our 24/7 line at (518) 333-7431. We repair all brands, and see emergency HVAC repair for urgent calls.

Frequently asked questions