Florida hurricane season · protect the AC
How to Protect Your AC From a Hurricane in Florida
The short answer: clear loose debris early, pre-cool the house, then shut the AC off at the thermostat and the breaker before the storm arrives, and inspect it before you turn it back on. That is the order in Trane's storm checklist, which says lightning surges can damage the unit and debris caught in a running outdoor unit can burn out the motor. FPL adds two timing rules: clear outside debris before a hurricane warning because trash pickup is suspended, and do not trim trees right before a storm because cut branches become flying debris. Use the National Weather Service clock: a Hurricane Watch comes about 48 hours and a Warning about 36 hours before tropical-storm-force winds (39–73 mph). Florida's mechanical code requires outdoor equipment to resist wind loads. Wrapping the unit is not in Trane's or FPL's steps. The Atlantic season runs June 1 to November 30 (NOAA). Stage checklist below. Educational only. Not a service page.
People first. If officials order an evacuation, go (Ready.gov). Never go outside in storm winds, and never touch a panel, breaker, or outdoor unit while you are wet or standing in water.
Storm-stage checklist
Pick where you are. Checks save on this device only. Watch and warning timing from the National Weather Service; each step names its source.
Season / before any storm (June 1 – November 30)
Hurricane Watch issued — about 48 hours before tropical-storm winds
Hurricane Warning issued — about 36 hours out, then right before the storm
Storm here
After the storm — before you restart
The storm clock (sourced)
| Term | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic hurricane season | June 1 – November 30; peak around September 10, most activity mid-August to mid-October | NOAA National Hurricane Center |
| Tropical storm | Sustained winds 39–73 mph | National Weather Service |
| Hurricane | Sustained winds 74 mph or higher | National Weather Service |
| Hurricane Watch | Hurricane winds possible; issued 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds | National Weather Service |
| Hurricane Warning | Hurricane winds expected; issued 36 hours before tropical-storm-force winds | National Weather Service |
| Clear yard debris | Before a hurricane warning — trash pickup will be suspended | FPL storm guide |
The National Weather Service gives the reason for those lead times: prep becomes difficult once winds reach tropical storm force. Do the outside work in the watch window, and shut the AC off last.
Cover it or not?
This is the most-asked question, and the answers online conflict: some contractor pages say tarp it, others say plywood on top only, others say do not bother. Neither Trane's storm checklist nor FPL's storm guide tells homeowners to wrap the outdoor unit. What they do say: clear debris, secure the unit, cut the power, and inspect before restarting. If you put anything over or against the outdoor unit anyway, it has to come off before the power goes back on. We do not recommend a specific cover because we could not find a manufacturer or agency source for one.
What the AC can and cannot ride out
Usually a homeowner step
Clearing loose yard items. Pre-cooling. Thermostat off, breaker off. Looking it over after. Clearing branches and leaves off the outdoor unit. Resetting a tripped AC breaker once, after waiting five minutes (FPL).
Not a storm-week DIY job
Re-bolting or strapping a loose unit, raising it above flood level, adding a surge protector or time-delay relay, anything after flooding, a breaker that trips again, a suspected refrigerant leak (Trane notes storm winds can loosen connections and cause leaks). Those go to whoever you already trust.
This is a homeowner storm-prep checklist, not an engineering, code, or insurance opinion. Steps are drawn from Trane, FPL, the National Weather Service, NOAA, Ready.gov, and the Florida Building Code as cited below. We do not sell covers, straps, or surge protectors. No form, no shop phone.
Common questions
Should I turn off my AC before a hurricane in Florida?
Yes. Trane's storm checklist says to turn off power to the air conditioner or heat pump before you evacuate or hunker down, at both the thermostat and the circuit breaker, because electrical surges from lightning can damage the unit and debris stuck in the outdoor unit can burn out the motor. Do it while it is still safe to be at the panel; never touch electrical equipment that is wet or while standing in water (Ready.gov).
Should I cover my AC unit during a hurricane?
Neither Trane's storm checklist nor FPL's storm guide tells homeowners to wrap the outdoor unit. Their steps are clear loose debris, secure the unit, shut the power off, and inspect it before restarting. If you do put anything over or against the outdoor unit, take it off before the power goes back on. Contractor advice on covers conflicts, so this page does not recommend a cover type.
When should I do each hurricane prep step for my AC?
Use the National Weather Service timing. A Hurricane Watch is issued 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds (39 to 73 mph) are expected, and a Hurricane Warning 36 hours before, because prep becomes difficult once winds reach tropical storm force. FPL says to clear outside debris before a hurricane warning because trash pickup will be suspended. Shut the AC off last, right before the storm.
Does my outdoor AC unit have to be tied down in Florida?
Florida Building Code, Mechanical section 301.15 says mechanical equipment exposed to wind must be installed to resist wind pressures set by the Florida Building Code, Building; ground or roof equipment installed on rated stands, platforms, curbs, or slabs per code is deemed to comply. Trane's storm guidance states that in Florida you are required to bolt the condenser to a hurricane pad and suggests hurricane straps for elevated units. If yours looks loose, that is an installer question, not a storm-day DIY job.
Should I pre-cool my house before a hurricane?
Trane suggests it: on the day of the predicted storm, set the thermostat cooler than usual, close curtains and blinds, and keep doors and windows shut so the house stays cooler after the power goes out. Then turn the system off at the thermostat and breaker before the storm arrives.
When can I turn my AC back on after a hurricane?
Only after you have checked it. Trane says to inspect for flood and debris damage before turning the AC back on, because running a damaged unit can make the problem worse, and storm winds can loosen connections and cause refrigerant leaks. If it was under water, keep it off and have it inspected. If the AC breaker trips when you restore power, FPL says wait five minutes before resetting it, and if it trips again do not reset it; call an electrician.
Also here
AC tonnage calculator · Outdoor coil & condenser clearance · Florida AC maintenance checklist · AC runs constantly · Short cycling · Dehumidifier pint planner · Repair vs replace · Tools hub. Tools and guides in this same set. Nobody's advertising a shop here.
Sources (retrieved Oct 9, 2026)
- Trane, 8 Ways to Protect Your AC from Storms: trim overhanging branches; flood insurance separate from homeowner's and must be in place 30 days before flood damage; HVAC-specific surge protector installed by a professional; hurricane straps for elevated units; "In Florida, you're required to bolt your condenser unit to a hurricane pad"; elevate in flood-prone areas; pre-cool; turn off power at thermostat and circuit breaker before the storm (lightning surges, debris can burn out the motor); check for damage before restarting; winds can cause disconnections and refrigerant leaks; turn on as soon as safe to help prevent mold and mildew. trane.com/…/6-ways-to-prepare-your-a-c-for-storms
- FPL, Storm guide (web and PDF): clear outside debris before a hurricane warning (trash pickup suspended); unplug non-essential equipment including pool equipment; self-sufficient up to 14 days; generator outside, never wired to the breaker box; if roof or windows leak, turn off breakers and never stand in water. fpl.com/storm/home/guide.html · storm-guide.pdf
- FPL, Please Stay Safe Before the Storm: most counties suspend debris pickup before a storm; do not trim trees now; secure already-cut branches. PleaseStaySafeBeforeTheStorm.pdf
- FPL, Power outage guide: time-delay relay delays AC restart about three to five minutes to protect the compressor; wait five minutes before resetting a tripped AC breaker; if it trips again, do not reset — contact an electrician. power-outage-guide.pdf
- National Weather Service (Mobile/Pensacola), Tropical definitions: tropical storm 39–73 mph; hurricane 74 mph+; Hurricane Watch 48 hours and Warning 36 hours before tropical-storm-force winds. weather.gov/mob/tropical_definitions
- NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical cyclone climatology: Atlantic season June 1 – November 30; peak September 10; most activity mid-August to mid-October. nhc.noaa.gov/climo
- Ready.gov, Hurricanes: evacuate when told; bring in outside furniture; do not touch electrical equipment if wet or standing in water; turn off electricity at the main breaker if safe. ready.gov/hurricanes
- Florida Building Code, Mechanical (2023, 8th ed.) sections 301.15 Wind Resistance and 301.16 Flood Hazard, via UpCodes. up.codes/…/fl-mechanical-code-2023/chapter/3