Hurricane Prep for Your AC.
Wind, flooding, and power surges are hard on an outdoor unit. A little preparation before the storm, and a careful restart after it, can save the system.
The Short Answer.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Before a storm, clear the area around the outdoor unit, secure it if it's exposed to high wind, and shut off its power at the disconnect if flooding is possible. After the storm, don't restart a unit that has been under water: have wet electrical equipment inspected by a qualified professional before using it. AAA Airwaves inspects storm- and flood-damaged systems across Tampa Bay.
Related Services
- 24-Hour Emergency HVAC ServiceEmergency AC and HVAC repair for homes and businesses, with an emergency line answered 24 hours a day, every day.
- AC RepairSame-day diagnostics and repair for every major make and model, from window units to full split systems.
- How Your AC Works (3D)Take a heat pump apart in 3D and see what each part does.
Before the Storm.
Clear around the outdoor unit
Bring in outdoor furniture and clear drains, and move anything near the unit that the wind could throw into it.
Secure an exposed unit
If the unit sits where it takes high wind, it should be strapped or anchored. If yours isn't, ask us about it before the season.
Plan for flooding
If flooding is possible, shut off power to the outdoor unit at the disconnect before the water arrives. In flood-prone spots, ask about raising the unit on a stand or bracket.
Photograph the unit
Take photos of the unit and its nameplate. With your insurance documents up to date, they make a claim easier if the storm damages it.
After the Storm.
Don't restart a flooded unit
Don't touch wet appliances still connected to power, and have equipment that was under water inspected before using it. Restarting it before that check can cause serious damage.
Look before you power up
Check the outdoor unit for debris, bent fins, a tilted pad, or loose lines. If anything looks wrong, leave it off and call.
Generators: outdoors only
Run a portable generator outdoors, at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust pointed away from windows and doors. Never in a garage, even with the door open.
Watch for mold
Wet ducts and a damp house can grow mold. People with asthma or other lung conditions shouldn't enter buildings with leaks or visible mold.
Hurricane AC Prep FAQs.
More Guides.
- What a New AC CostsSize, SEER2, ductwork, refrigerant and permits: what moves the price, and what changed for 2026.
- Repair or Replace?The signs that point to a repair or a replacement, and what R-22 means for older systems.
- AC Blowing Warm AirFive-minute checks for the thermostat, filter, breakers and outdoor unit, and when to stop and call.
Sources
- Ready.gov (FEMA), Hurricanes. Checked November 2026.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC Warns of Generator, Carbon Monoxide and Fire Hazards Ahead of Hurricane Season. Checked November 2026.
Comfort Can’t Wait. Neither Do We.
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