Yes, it's recommended to lower the temperature of your thermostat before a hurricane

As Hurricane Milton heads toward Florida, people are searching for ways to stay safe and protect their homes. 

One TikTok shows people in Florida turning down the temperature on their thermostat in preparation for the hurricane. While some commenters agreed that it's something they do too, others wondered what purpose it might serve.

THE QUESTION

Is it recommended to lower the temperature of your thermostat before a hurricane?

THE SOURCES

• Cool Today

• Scott’s Heating and Air Conditioning

THE ANSWER

Yes, it's recommended to lower the temperature of your thermostat before a hurricane.

WHAT WE FOUND

It's beneficial to lower the temperature of your thermostat ahead of a big storm. This is because it can help keep your house cooler for longer in the event that the power goes out, Scott’s Heating and Air Conditioning says.

“Before the storm hits, turn the temperature down to several degrees colder than your usual preferred indoor temperature,” Cool Today, a Florida-based air conditioning company, says. “This way, your home is ‘pre-cooled’ and will stay cooler for longer after you turn your AC off.” 

If you do decide to turn your thermostat down ahead of a storm, be sure to cut the air conditioner off once the hurricane arrives. A hurricane can cause damage to a running air conditioning unit in multiple ways. 

For example, a lightning strike that leads to a power surge can cause “blown fuses, burnt wires, burnt capacitors, and even fried compressors,” Cool Today says. 

In cases of power outages, “having your AC click on and off can be very damaging to your compressor and other integral parts to your system,” Scott’s Heating and Air Conditioning adds. 

Once the storm is over, make sure there’s no damage to the air conditioning unit before attempting to turn it back on. If there’s no visible damage, Cool Today recommends cutting the air conditioner on as soon as possible to avoid mold buildup after high moisture levels.