Hurricane Season Starts June 1. Here Is What Milton and Pace Homeowners Should Do to Their HVAC System Right Now.
June 1 arrives the same way every year, which means you have until the end of May to prepare, not the end of June. For homeowners in Milton, Pace, Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, and Cantonment, hurricane season preparedness is not just about shutters and water. It is about your HVAC system, your electrical panel, and what happens to your home when the power goes out and stays out for days. Josh Rogers PE, who leads McCombs Electrical Heating & Air, has seen what Northwest Florida storms do to unprepared systems. Here is what every homeowner should do before June 1.
Schedule a Pre-Season HVAC Inspection Before June 1
The worst time to discover your AC system has a failing capacitor is during a storm, or in the days after one when every HVAC company in the market is booked solid. McCombs Electrical Heating & Air provides professional HVAC maintenance services for homes throughout Milton, Pace, Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, and Cantonment. Josh Rogers PE oversees the engineering standards behind every inspection.
The inspection checks everything that matters before peak season: capacitors and contactors tested with a multimeter, refrigerant levels verified, coils cleaned, drain lines flushed, and electrical connections inspected for corrosion and wear. A capacitor replacement during a scheduled spring inspection costs a fraction of what an emergency service call costs in August. Call (850) 994-5467 to schedule before the June rush.
Protect Your HVAC System from Surge Damage
One of the most common causes of HVAC failure after a storm is not wind damage. It is the power surge that occurs when electricity is restored. Florida’s electrical grid restoration process creates voltage spikes that can damage HVAC control boards, compressors, and electrical components in seconds.
A whole-house surge protector installed at the electrical panel is the most cost-effective protection against this type of damage. An HVAC-specific surge protector at the disconnect box provides a second layer of protection for the system itself. Because Josh Rogers PE is a licensed Florida Professional Engineer, this work is permitted, inspected, and performed to code. That matters when you have an insurance claim after a storm.
What Happens to Your Home Without Power in Northwest Florida
In Florida’s summer heat, an unventilated home without air conditioning can reach dangerous indoor temperatures within hours. Without the AC running to remove humidity, relative humidity inside the home can climb to 85 to 90 percent within 24 to 48 hours of an extended outage. At that level, mold growth accelerates on surfaces throughout the house.
For elderly family members, young children, or anyone with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, extended heat exposure without climate control is a genuine health risk, not just a discomfort.
Whole-Home Generator: The Permanent Solution
McCombs Electrical Heating & Air is a Generac Authorized Sales and Service Dealer. A properly sized whole-home standby generator activates automatically within seconds of a power outage, runs on natural gas or propane, and keeps your home fully powered until grid power is restored. Your AC runs. Your refrigerator runs. Your medical equipment runs.
Josh Rogers PE performs the load calculation to make sure the generator can handle your home’s full electrical load. An undersized generator that fails under load during a storm is not a solution. Installation requires a permit, electrical panel connection, gas line connection, and inspection. Lead times increase significantly once hurricane season opens and named storms appear in the Gulf. Call (850) 994-5467 now to discuss options and current installation timelines.
What to Do Before, During, and After a Storm
Before the Storm
- Schedule a pre-season HVAC inspection now. McCombs provides professional HVAC maintenance throughout the service area.
- Have surge protection installed at the panel and the HVAC disconnect box.
- Know which circuit breaker controls your AC. You will need to turn it off before a storm.
- Photograph your outdoor unit from every angle including the data plate. These become your insurance documentation.
- Clear vegetation and debris within 18 to 24 inches of the outdoor unit.
When a Storm Is Coming
- Turn off the AC at the thermostat, then at the circuit breaker, when tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph or higher are forecast. Do not run the system in high winds.
- Do not attempt to cover your outdoor unit. Covers trap moisture and debris, causing more damage than they prevent.
After the Storm
- Inspect the outdoor unit for visible damage before restarting. Look for dented coils, debris inside the unit, or signs of physical impact.
- If you see damage, call McCombs Electrical Heating & Air at (850) 994-5467 before turning the system on. Running a damaged system causes additional internal damage.
- Document all damage with photographs before clearing debris. Homeowner’s insurance typically covers hurricane damage to HVAC equipment and photographs taken before cleanup strengthen your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I turn off my AC before a hurricane?
Yes. Turn off your AC at the thermostat and at the circuit breaker when tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph or higher are forecast for your area. Running the system during a storm risks surge damage when power is interrupted and restored. Do not restart until after the storm and after inspecting the outdoor unit for damage.
How do I protect my AC from a power surge after a storm?
A whole-house surge protector at the electrical panel intercepts voltage spikes before they reach your systems. An HVAC-specific surge protector at the disconnect box adds a second layer of protection. McCombs Electrical Heating & Air installs both as part of pre-season electrical service. Call (850) 994-5467.
Is a whole-home generator worth it for Northwest Florida homeowners?
For most Northwest Florida homeowners, yes. A multi-day power outage during a Florida summer without climate control creates real health and property risks. McCombs Electrical Heating & Air is a Generac Authorized Sales and Service Dealer. Learn more about whole-home generator installation or call (850) 994-5467 to discuss options and current installation timelines before hurricane season opens.
What should I do if my HVAC unit is damaged after a hurricane?
Do not restart the system until it has been inspected by a qualified technician. Running a system with damaged components causes additional internal damage. Document all visible damage with photographs before clearing debris. Homeowner’s insurance typically covers hurricane damage to HVAC equipment. Call McCombs Electrical Heating & Air at (850) 994-5467 to schedule a post-storm inspection.
Professional Engineer on Staff | Since 1974
McCombs Electrical Heating & Air has been serving homeowners throughout Milton, Pace, Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, and Cantonment since 1974. Before June 1, call (850) 994-5467 to schedule your pre-season HVAC inspection, discuss surge protection, or explore whole-home generator options with Josh Rogers PE. Do not wait until the first storm watch of the season.
Call (850) 994-5467 before June 1 for HVAC inspection and generator consultation.
