Homeowners often think power surges only happen during lightning storms. Although lightning is one cause, it’s far from the only one. Utility grid activity, restoring power after outages and large household appliances cycling can all create voltage spikes inside your home.
These electrical surges don’t just pose a risk to televisions and computers. They may also cause HVAC electrical damage because modern heating and cooling systems rely on sophisticated electronic components. The good news is HVAC surge protection can help protect one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of costly repairs.
What Are Power Surges
A power surge is a brief spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. Although it lasts only a fraction of a second, it can damage household electronics, including HVAC equipment.
Many people know lightning is the most well-known cause, but power surges often occur much closer to home. Power companies frequently adjust power on the electrical grid, and electrical surges also can happen when electricity is restored after an outage. Major appliances like refrigerators or HVAC systems 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.
Although one major power surge can cause immediate damage, smaller, repeated voltage spikes can slowly wear down heating and cooling equipment over time, shortening their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Are More Vulnerable Than Ever
Many of today’s heating and cooling systems use sophisticated electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Even though hese advanced features offer many benefits, they also 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 motors. Variable speed motors rely on electronic controls that are susceptible to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Smart home devices are made with delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment.
- Electronic communication systems. Today’s HVAC systems rely on electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for reliable operation.
- Inverter-driven technology. Systems with variable-capacity operation 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-home surge protection helps reduce the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after electrical surge incidents.
HVAC components most commonly affected by power surges in Genoa include:
- Control boards:The HVAC system’s control board contains essential operating controls, which can be badly damaged by surges.
- Airconditioner compressors. An HVAC compressor is one of the most expensive parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace.
- Blower motors.Voltage spikes can damage motors responsible for circulating conditioned air throughout your home.
- HVAC system capacitors. Electrical surges can weaken or damage these components, impacting system startup and performance.
- Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after multiple voltage spikes.
- Heat pump control electronics. Modern heat pumps use multiple electronic components which are vulnerable to surges.
Which is Better for My Home: Whole-Home Surge Protection or Power Strips?
Homeowners commonly use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but these plug-in devices don’t protect your HVAC system. For HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers broader coverage and lasting value.
A professionally installed whole-home surge protector is located at your home’s electrical panel. Rather than protecting only one outlet, it helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your house, including your heating and cooling equipment.
Benefits of Whole-House Surge Protection
Installing whole-home surge protection is an effective 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. Reducing surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
- Extended HVAC system lifespan. Sensitive components experience lower electrical stress over time when properly protected.
- Protection of homeelectronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-house surge protector also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Greater peace of mind duringstorms. Surge protection provides added confidence when weather-related power outages occur.
- Defense against everyday electrical fluctuations. Small voltage spikes can gradually damage your HVAC system.
5 Signs You May Need Surge Protection
- Frequent storms. Given the strong summer storms in Genoa, lightning protection for your HVAC can help reduce the risk of surge-related damage.
- Power outages or flickering lights. Ongoing power interruptions and changing voltage levels increase the likelihood of electrical surges.
- Aging electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk.
- Modern heating and cooling equipment. Safeguarding a high-efficiency heating and cooling system with a surge protector is often more affordable than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Connected home technology. Homes with Wi-Fi thermostats and other connected devices have more sensitive electronics to protect.
Expert Surge Protection Installation Makes a Difference
Whole-home surge protection must be professionally installed to provide dependable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Assured Appliance & Heating & Air helps make sure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system.
The skilled professionals at Assured Appliance & Heating & Air understand the specific electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will identify the right surge protector for your AC, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment Before the Next Power Surge
Power surges aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a major impact on your HVAC system. Adding whole-home surge protection is a smart 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 protection. Our professionals will assess your home’s needs and help you choose a setup to protect your home HVAC. Along with surge protection, we provide all electrical services for the rest of your home.
See how surge protection can help safeguard your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 847-260-9583 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC
Is a whole-house surge protection beneficial for an HVAC system?
Yes. Whole-house surge protection is often a smart investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. Installing surge protection is typically much lower than repairing or replacing damaged HVAC components, helping extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can a sudden power spike damage an air conditioner?
Absolutely. A power surge can damage your AC unit’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause costly repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from power surges by reducing the impact of voltage spikes before they reach sensitive HVAC components.
What causes power surges throughout a home?
The most common sources of power surges include lightning strikes, utility grid switching, power outages, power restoration and large appliances cycling on and off. They can also result from problems within your home’s electrical system. Small voltage spikes can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.
How long does whole-home surge protection last?
A typical whole-home surge protector lasts about 5 to 10 years, although actual service life depends on the number and severity of the surges it absorbs. Surge protector systems in properties that experience frequent storms or utility power fluctuations may need replacement sooner.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover power surge repairs?
It can. Homeowners insurance may cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the surge. Because deductibles and coverage vary, surge protection installation is often cost-effective way to avoid paying for preventable and expensive HVAC repairs.
Does a surge protector help protect smart thermostats?
Absolutely. Power surge protection for HVAC helps protect smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from electrical surges. It also helps improve system reliability and reduce the risk of expensive repairs to modern heating and cooling equipment.
