The storm has passed. The power is back on — or your generator is running. It's 90°F with 95% humidity, and you want nothing more than to flip the thermostat to "cool" and start drying out your home. But here's the critical thing every Gulf Coast homeowner needs to hear: turning on your HVAC system before inspecting it can turn recoverable storm damage into a complete system replacement.
We see this every hurricane season across Galveston and Tiki Island. Homeowners power up their systems without checking for debris, water intrusion, or electrical damage, and what could have been a $500 repair becomes a $6,000 compressor replacement — or worse.
Properties on Galveston's West End and in Tiki Island Village are particularly exposed to storm surge, wind-driven debris, and prolonged power outages that affect HVAC systems. Here's your step-by-step inspection checklist before you touch that thermostat.
Step 1: Visual Inspection of the Outdoor Unit
Before anything else, walk outside and look at your condenser unit. You're checking for several things:
Physical Displacement
Hurricane-force winds and storm surge can physically move outdoor units off their pads. If your unit has shifted, tilted, or been knocked over entirely, do not attempt to operate it. Refrigerant lines may be kinked or broken, electrical connections may be pulled loose, and the compressor is designed to operate in a specific orientation. Running a displaced unit risks immediate compressor failure.
Debris Accumulation
Check for branches, roofing material, fencing, vegetation, and any other storm debris lodged in or around the unit. Even small debris wedged in the condenser fins can restrict airflow enough to cause overheating. Larger items can damage fan blades, bend fins, or puncture refrigerant lines.
Carefully remove any loose debris by hand. Do not use tools that could further damage the fins. If debris is deeply embedded in the unit, leave it for a professional.
Standing Water
If your outdoor unit was submerged or partially submerged in storm surge or flooding, the electrical components inside have almost certainly been compromised. Contactors, capacitors, and wiring exposed to saltwater are unsafe to energize. Even freshwater submersion requires a full electrical inspection before operation.
Pro Tip: Take photos of your outdoor unit from all four sides before you clean or touch anything. This documentation is critical for insurance claims. Many homeowners lose claim value because they can't demonstrate the extent of storm damage after they've already cleaned up.
Step 2: Check the Electrical System
Circuit Breaker Inspection
Before attempting to power your HVAC system, check your electrical panel. If the HVAC breaker has tripped, do not simply reset it without investigation. A tripped breaker after a storm may indicate:
- Power surge damage to system components
- Water intrusion into electrical connections
- Short circuits caused by damaged wiring
- Ground faults from compromised insulation
Reset the breaker only after completing the rest of this checklist. If it trips again immediately, you have an active electrical fault that requires professional diagnosis.
Disconnect Box
The electrical disconnect box near your outdoor unit may have taken water. Open it carefully and look for signs of moisture, corrosion, or scorching. If you see any evidence of water inside the disconnect, have an electrician inspect it before energizing the circuit.
Surge Damage
Hurricanes often cause multiple power outages and surges as the grid goes down and comes back up. These surges can damage control boards, capacitors, and compressor windings even if the storm itself never touched your unit. If your system powers on but behaves erratically — won't start a cooling cycle, makes unusual sounds, or trips the breaker during operation — surge damage to the control board is a common culprit.
Step 3: Inspect Refrigerant Lines
The copper refrigerant lines connecting your indoor and outdoor units are vulnerable to storm damage, especially where they run along exterior walls or through areas exposed to wind and debris. Look for:
- Kinks or bends that could restrict refrigerant flow
- Missing insulation on the larger (suction) line
- Visible damage or punctures at connection points
- Oil stains around fittings, which indicate refrigerant leaks
If you suspect refrigerant line damage, do not operate the system. Running a system with restricted or leaking refrigerant will damage the compressor.
Step 4: Evaluate the Indoor Components
Check for Water Intrusion
If your home experienced any flooding or roof leaks, check the area around your indoor air handler or furnace. Water damage to the blower motor, control board, or electrical connections is common after storms with significant rain. If the unit is in the attic, check for roof leaks that may have dripped onto the equipment.
Inspect Ductwork
Flexible ductwork in attics is particularly vulnerable to hurricane damage. High winds can tear ducts from their connections, collapse them, or rip them entirely. If your ducts were damaged, running the system will blow conditioned air into unconditioned spaces — wasting energy and failing to cool your home.
Also check for water in the ductwork. If flood water entered your ducts, you have a mold contamination risk that must be addressed before operating the system. Running the blower with contaminated ducts will distribute mold spores throughout your entire home.
When to Call a Pro: If your outdoor unit was submerged in any amount of storm surge (saltwater), do not attempt to power it on under any circumstances. Saltwater is extraordinarily corrosive to electrical components. Even if the unit appears functional initially, hidden corrosion on contacts and windings can cause catastrophic failure — or an electrical fire — days or weeks later. A professional system inspection is essential before putting a flood-exposed system back into service.
Check the Condensate Drain
Storm debris can block your condensate drain line from the outside. If the drain is clogged when you start the system, water will back up into the drain pan and potentially overflow, causing water damage to ceilings and walls.
Step 5: The Safe Startup Sequence
Once you've completed the inspection and found no obvious damage, follow this sequence to bring your system back online safely:
- Turn the thermostat to "off." Don't start with the system in cooling mode.
- Reset the HVAC circuit breaker (if it was tripped or turned off).
- Wait 30 minutes. If your system has a scroll compressor (most modern units do), the oil needs time to settle after being off for extended periods. Starting immediately can cause compressor damage.
- Set the thermostat to "fan only." Run just the fan for 10-15 minutes and listen for unusual sounds — grinding, rattling, or squealing. Check that air is flowing from all vents.
- Switch to cooling mode. Set the temperature 5 degrees below current indoor temp. Go outside and verify the outdoor unit starts, the fan spins freely, and there are no unusual noises or vibrations.
- Monitor for 30 minutes. Check that the air from supply vents is getting progressively colder. If the system runs but produces only warm air, you likely have a refrigerant issue or compressor problem.
When Insurance Covers HVAC Storm Damage
Most homeowner's insurance policies cover HVAC damage caused directly by named storms — wind damage, debris impact, storm surge, and power surge damage. However, claims are often denied for:
- Pre-existing damage that the storm merely revealed
- Failure to mitigate (not turning off the system before the storm)
- Lack of documentation of the damage
Document everything with photos and video before any cleanup. Get a professional inspection report. Keep records of your maintenance history — well-maintained systems have stronger insurance claims than neglected ones.
Be Prepared Before the Next Storm
Preparation is simpler and cheaper than recovery:
- Install a surge protector on your HVAC circuit. A whole-home surge protector costs $200-400 installed and can save thousands in control board and compressor damage.
- Secure your outdoor unit with hurricane straps or a concrete pad with anchor bolts if you're in a surge-prone area.
- Turn off HVAC at the breaker before the storm arrives to prevent surge damage during power fluctuations.
- Cover the outdoor unit with a plywood shield (not a tarp, which can trap moisture) to protect against flying debris.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait after a hurricane before turning on my AC?
Wait until you've completed a full visual inspection as outlined above, and at minimum 30 minutes after power is restored to allow compressor oil to settle. If there's any sign of flooding, submersion, or significant debris impact, wait for a professional inspection regardless of how long power has been restored.
Will my homeowner's insurance cover HVAC damage from a hurricane?
Generally yes, for damage directly caused by the storm — wind, debris, surge, and surge-related electrical damage. Document all damage with photos before cleanup, get a professional assessment, and file your claim promptly. Pre-existing conditions or lack of maintenance records can complicate claims.
Should I run my generator to power my AC after a storm?
Only if your generator is properly sized (most portable generators cannot run central AC) and you've completed the full pre-startup inspection. Running a damaged system on generator power wastes fuel and risks compounding the damage. Portable generators can typically only power window units or portable AC.
