Stormy weather comes with a lot of damage and expenses to all homeowners. However, you can reduce the impact you experience through proper preparation of your home. Our pros at Acosta Heating, Cooling, & Electrical in Charlotte, NC recommend getting the necessary assistance early enough. We can help you analyze the condition of your systems and guide you on the required action.
Calling the experts for help early enough is essential for your peace of mind. As the weather worsens, more people schedule last-minute appointments, making it hard to secure an appointment. However, when you reach out in good time, you will have time to prepare and make the necessary changes. We have explained some things you should do to prepare for Mother Nature’s hit.
Surge Protection
During stormy weather, you can expect fluctuations in the power supply system, leading to frequent surges. This can also arise due to lightning since the rush of charge from the sky can hit your house, causing a surge in electricity. If you do not have an appropriate surge protection system, you risk damage to your wiring, electronics, and even the entire property.
The sudden power increase can cause a fire or electrocute anyone operating an electronic at that moment. Therefore, you need to invest in a whole-house surge protection system. This will help absorb and redirect the excess current, thus protecting your home. This way, you can have peace of mind regardless of the power fluctuations.
Backup Generators
We also recommend getting a backup generator that can support your entire home. Severe weather always comes with power outages due to fallen power poles, disconnected lines, or other electrical issues. In most cases, these situations cannot get fixed until the weather clears. Therefore, you need an alternative power source to keep your house systems running while you wait.
With a generator, you can keep your lights, heating, and other essential electronics running during the blackout. Our Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical pros recommend getting an automatic generator that immediately takes over the power supply. The system connects to the home’s wiring and immediately switches on when the power supply cuts. This way, you can keep your fridge running and enjoy comfort despite the storm outside.
HVAC Maintenance and Repairs
Do not wait for a storm if you do not know the condition of your HVAC system. You need your heating to be in top-notch shape so you and your loved ones can remain comfortable even during the downpour. Therefore, you should contact our comfort consultants to check your system for faults. A maintenance check reveals any potential issues that may impact the system’s operation. We arrest the problem, thus preventing it from worsening. However, when you already have a problematic system, we recommend prompt repairs to avoid breakdowns during a stormy night. Do not ignore the signs of trouble since they may cost you comfort and peace of mind. Professional repairs can save you from incurring expensive future costs. Your system will also not strain to heat your home throughout the day since you may stay indoors for most of the storm.
Contact expert comfort consultants to fix the following issues:
- Uneven heating
- Reduced airflow
- Unusual noises from the system
- Slow heating
- Noisy ducts
- Flickering thermostat
Indoor Air Improvement
Since you will most likely stay indoors during a storm, ensuring you breathe quality air is essential. Check with our Acosta Heating, Cooling, & Electrical specialists to know what you can improve in your home. We recommend investing in a dehumidifier to help get rid of the excess moisture, especially if it is raining heavily. We also check the HVAC system for leakage in the ducts, which may be the cause of allergens in your house. By sealing the gaps and cleaning the ducts, you can have clean air that will not result in frequent allergies.
Roof Inspection
Another crucial step in preparing for severe weather is getting a roof inspection. Your roofing structure is the contact point for the weather elements, and you need to ensure that it is in top-notch shape. You need to schedule an inspection appointment with a professional roofer to identify any causes of alarm. This appointment is to check the shingles or covering material and every part of the structure. The roofer must inspect even the gutters, flashing, and roof interior.
This way, you can get detailed information on how well the structure can withstand the coming season. If you have a damaged roof, ensure you schedule immediate repairs to fix the weak areas. Seal all leaking points to avoid water damage in the attic or ceiling. It is also crucial to ensure that the gutters function optimally.
Remove all debris and secure the water channels so the excess water from the roof can drain efficiently. A damaged roof also affects your HVAC efficiency. The air seeping through the cracks interferes with the filtered and heated air, reducing the speed of temperature regulation. Consequently, indoor air quality drops, and heating units consume more energy. Therefore, when you fix your roof, you improve the heating capacity for your HVAC system, allowing everyone to stay warm and comfortable.
Pack the Essentials
Since you do not know how long you may stay indoors, it is crucial to have enough supplies to last your family. Ensure you shop for these things early enough and check the expiry dates. Going for the last-minute rush will lead to disappointments since you may forget essential items. Sometimes, they may go out of stock, especially when people start buying items in panic mode.
These are the things you should ensure you have:
- First-aid kit
- Non-perishable food
- Water
- Extra phone
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- blankets
- Fuel for the generator
- Emergency money
Secure the House
As you approach the season for severe weather, ensure you protect the outside of your home from damage. The first step is removing all debris, branches, and unwanted items in your compound. These can cause extensive damage when carried by strong winds. You should also trim all trees around your house, ensuring no branches hang over your structure.
Cut off all loose branches, which can easily break off when blown by strong winds. You should also ensure no branches or debris obstruct your vents to increase airflow into the house. Afterward, invest in boards or metal plates to protect your windows from getting hit by stray items. Seal all gaps in the windows and doors with caulk so no cold draft will penetrate your home.
Cold air usually reduces the indoor temperature, making it hard to maintain your set temperature. This strains your heating system, causing it to overwork and consume more energy.
Choose Our Comfort Consultants
Our team in Charlotte provides quality HVAC and electrical services so you can enjoy comfort and peace of mind. We install, replace, repair, and maintain heating and cooling systems in homes and businesses. Our technicians have decades of experience and can help you attain indoor comfort throughout the year. We also provide top-quality electrical services for residential and business premises.
You can count on us for wiring, panel upgrades, ceiling fan installation, installing EV charging stations, and fixing lights and outlets. We attend to each call with the same urgency and work hard to attain customer satisfaction. Don’t hesitate to call us for more information or to book an appointment.