| For electronic equipment to work at its best, and | | | | Many of them suffered damaged circuitry |
| last the longest, it needs to be kept cool and dry. | | | | following prolonged exposure to heat and humidity. |
| That's something we usually take for granted in | | | | At least one electronics troubleshooter took steps |
| modern homes with the heating and air | | | | that saved all of his valuable equipment from |
| conditioning we count on to run 24/7 without | | | | damage. Long before the terrible trio of hurricanes |
| significant interruption. Computers don't do well in | | | | bore down on central Florida, he stockpiled some |
| 90% humidity, and that goes for large consumer | | | | simple dehumidifiers that didn't depend on |
| electronics as well, such as televisions and stereos. | | | | electricity. He also invested in a couple of rolls of |
| The first line of defense is to get your unit (or | | | | clear plastic and some sturdy tape from the local |
| units) professionally serviced once (or twice) a | | | | home supply store. |
| year. The furnace and air conditioner each need | | | | After boarding up the windows he got busy |
| annual servicing from somebody who knows | | | | making protective tents for computers and |
| what he's doing. If you have a heat pump, it | | | | expensive televisions using the plastic and tape. |
| needs attention twice a year - once for the | | | | Just before weighing or taping down the edges of |
| cooling equipment and once for the heating part. | | | | each mini tent, he tucked in one of the desiccants. |
| And, of course, a regular schedule of filter | | | | The result: NO moisture damage! |
| changing is critical, especially for heat pumps. | | | | You may have noticed that many newly |
| Filters affect the air quality, which is the lifeblood | | | | purchased items have little packets of silica gel |
| of any heating and/or cooling system. | | | | sealed inside. That's because they prevent |
| What happens when the air conditioner (and | | | | moisture from doing any damage in the sealed |
| maybe all the power) fails during hurricane | | | | container. Both government and industry have |
| season? For residents of the Gulf Coast, three | | | | been choosing silica gel as the top desiccant since |
| hurricanes in a row wreaked havoc with the | | | | World War II. It costs so little yet works so well. |
| power grid in a recent year. Residents - and | | | | Some types of moisture absorbent silica gel |
| home electronics - suffered through days, and in | | | | dehumidifiers can be reactivated heating in a |
| some cases, weeks and months of sweltering | | | | conventional oven. |
| heat and humidity. | | | | Absent a natural disaster, when things are running |
| Since humans are a resilient and resourceful lot, | | | | smooth, be sure to leave your thermostat set at |
| they figured out how to survive using | | | | a reasonable level if you will be away from home |
| rudimentary cooking methods and bathing in | | | | for an extended period of time. Resist the |
| swimming pools. They read by candlelight and | | | | temptation to shut your air conditioning system |
| played table games with the kids. But what | | | | off completely, or your home electronics could |
| happened to the expensive electronic equipment | | | | pay the price, especially in the hot and humid |
| such as computers and hi-definition televisions? | | | | southern states. |