Many homeowners think power surges are limited to lightning storms. While lightning is definitely one cause, it’s far from the only one. Major appliances turning on and off, electrical grid switching, power outages and restoration can all create power surges inside your home.
These electrical surges don’t just damage televisions and computers. These surges can cause HVAC electrical damage because modern heating and cooling systems rely on advanced electronic components. Thankfully, HVAC surge protection can help protect one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of major repairs.
What Is a Power Surge
A power surge in your home is a brief spike in electrical voltage in your home’s wiring. Even though it lasts only a fraction of a second, it still can damage home electronics.
Many people know lightning is the most well-known cause, but many surges happen much closer to home. Electric utility providers routinely switch power on the electrical grid, and electrical surges also can happen when electricity is restored after an outage. Major appliances like refrigerators or AC units can also create small voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. It’s also possible that loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges.
While a single large surge can cause immediate damage, smaller surges can slowly wear down heating and cooling equipment over time, limiting their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Need More Surge Protection Than Ever
Today’s heating and cooling systems use high-tech electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Even though hese advanced features offer many benefits, they can make equipment more at risk of damage from voltage spikes, highlighting the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
Some of the most at-risk HVAC components to power surges include:
- Electronic circuit boards. They serve as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even brief or small voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed blower motors. Variable speed motors rely on electronic controls that are sensitive to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Smart home devices are made with delicate electronics that communicate with your HVAC equipment.
- Electronic communication systems. Many newer heating and air conditioning systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for efficient operation.
- Variable-capacity inverter technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that work best with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Need the Most Protection?
Damage from electrical surges can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to repair or replace. Installing whole-house surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after power surge incidents.
HVAC components that are frequently damaged by power surges in Circleville include:
- Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary.
- Compressors. The compressor is one of the most expensive parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace.
- Blower motors.Electrical surges can damage motors that circulate conditioned air throughout your home.
- HVAC system capacitors. Power surges may weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. These devices may malfunction after frequent voltage spikes.
- Heat pump control electronics. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components which are vulnerable to surges.
Which is Better for My Home: Whole-Home Surge Protection or Power Strips?
Many people use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but those devices don’t protect your furnace or air conditioner. To provide complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers greater coverage and greater long-term value.
A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is connected at your home’s electrical panel. Instead of regulating electricity to only one outlet, the system helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout the house, including your HVAC equipment.
Benefits of Whole-Home Surge Protection
Using whole-home surge protection is a proactive way to protect your HVAC investment while helping safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home.
Benefits of whole-home HVAC surge protection include:
- Reduced repaircosts. Preventing surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
- Extended HVAC system lifespan. Sensitive components experience lower electrical stress over time when equipped with surge protection.
- Protection for household electronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-home surge protector also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Greater peace of mind duringstorms. Homeowners gain added confidence when severe storms strike your area.
- Defense against everyday electrical fluctuations. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs You May Need Surge Protection
- Regular summer storms. Given the powerful summer storms in Circleville, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of electrical surge damage.
- Frequent power outages or flickering lights. Frequent outages and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of damaging voltage spikes.
- Older electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can raise your home’s surge risk.
- Modern heating and cooling equipment. Protecting a high-efficiency heating and cooling system with a surge protector is often less expensive than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Connected home technology. Homes with Wi-Fi thermostats and other connected devices have even more sensitive electronics to protect.
Professional Surge Protection Installation Makes a Difference
Whole-house surge protection must be installed correctly to provide dependable protection. Working with licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling helps confirm the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system.
The skilled professionals at Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling understand the specialized electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will recommend the right surge protector for your AC, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment from Future Power Surges
Voltage spikes aren’t always obvious, but they can have a major impact on your heating and cooling system. Investing in whole-home surge protection is a proactive way to help prevent major repairs, extend equipment life and improve the reliability of your HVAC system.
If you’re interested in AC or furnace surge protection, you can count on the team at . Our HVAC services include comprehensive surge protection options, including whole-home surge protection systems. Our professionals will assess your home’s needs and recommend a setup to protect your home HVAC. Beyond surge protection, we offer all electrical services for the rest of your home.
Learn how surge protection can help protect your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 740-474-5940 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is whole-home surge protection worth it for an HVAC system?
Absolutely. Whole-house surge protection is typically a worthwhile investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. Installing surge protection is typically much lower than repairing or replacing damaged heating and cooling components, helping extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can a power surge damage an AC unit?
Absolutely. A power surge can damage an air conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, leading to expensive repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by reducing the impact of voltage spikes before they reach sensitive HVAC components.
What can cause power surges inside a home?
Lightning strikes, utility grid switching and power outages are among the most common causes of power surges in homes. They can also result from problems within your home’s electrical system. Repeated minor power surges can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.
How long does whole-home surge protection last?
A whole-house surge protector usually lasts 5 to 10 years, although that depends on the number and severity of the surges it absorbs. Surge protector systems in a home that has frequent storms or utility power fluctuations may require replacement sooner.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover power surge repairs?
In some cases, but not all. Homeowners insurance sometimes cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and the reason for the surge. With policy limits and deductibles varying, surge protection installation is often cost-effective way to protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.
Can whole-home surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
Yes. Power surge protection for HVAC helps shield smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from power surges. Surge protection may also improve system longevity and reduce the risk of costly repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.