Many people think power surges are limited to lightning storms. Although lightning is 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 voltage spikes inside your home. 

These electric voltage spikes don’t just damage televisions and computers. They can also cause HVAC electrical damage because modern heating and cooling systems rely on sophisticated electronic components. Fortunately, HVAC surge protection can help safeguard one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of major repairs. 

What Is a Power Surge  

A power surge is a short spike in electrical voltage running through your home’s wiring. While it lasts only a fraction of a second, it can damage household electronics, including HVAC equipment. 

Lightning remains the most well-known cause, but many surges happen much closer to home. Power companies frequently adjust power on the electrical grid, and voltage can also spike when electricity is restored after an outage. Household 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. 

Though a single significant surge can cause immediate damage, smaller surges can slowly wear down heating and air conditioning systems over time, limiting their lifespan. 

Why Modern HVAC Systems Are More Vulnerable Than Ever 

Modern heating and cooling systems use advanced electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. While these features offer many benefits, they can make equipment more sensitive to voltage spikes, highlighting the importance of HVAC electrical protection. 

Some of the most vulnerable components to power surges include: 

  • Control boards. They function as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even minimal voltage spikes. 
  • Variable-speed blower motors. These energy-saving motors rely on electronic controls that are vulnerable to electric surges. 
  • Smart thermostats. Smart home devices are made with delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment. 
  • Electronic communication systems. Modern heating and cooling systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for efficient operation. 
  • Inverter technology. Systems with variable-capacity operation use sophisticated electronics that benefit from surge protection. 

Which HVAC Components Are Most Vulnerable to Power Surges? 

Damage from electrical surges can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to fix. Installing electrical surge protection helps minimize 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:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary. 
  • Airconditioner 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 used to move conditioned air throughout your home. 
  • HVAC system capacitors. Power surges may weaken or damage these components, impacting system startup and performance. 
  • Smartthermostats. These devices may malfunction after multiple voltage spikes. 
  • Heat pump control electronics. Modern heat pumps use multiple electronic components that are particularly vulnerable to surges. 

Whole-Home Surge Protection vs. Power Strips 

Many homeowners 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 more comprehensive coverage and lasting value. 

A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is connected at your home’s electrical panel. Unlike devices that protect only one outlet, the system helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout the house, including your HVAC equipment. 

Benefits of Whole-House Surge Protection 

Adding whole-home surge protection is a proactive way to protect your HVAC investment while also helping safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home. 

Benefits of whole-house HVAC surge protection include: 

  • Reduced repaircosts. Reducing surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs. 
  • Longer-lasting HVAC equipment. Sensitive components experience less electrical stress over time when protected correctly. 
  • Protection of homeelectronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, whole-home surge protection also helps protect appliances, computers and entertainment systems. 
  • Added confidence during severe weather. Surge protection provides added confidence when severe weather strikes. 
  • Protectionagainst everyday electrical fluctuations. Small voltage spikes can gradually damage electronic HVAC equipment. 

5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection 

  1. Severe weather. Given the strong summer storms in Genoa, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of surge-related damage. 
  2. Power outages or flickering lights. Frequent outages and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of damaging voltage spikes. 
  3. Older electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can raise your home’s surge risk. 
  4. Expensive HVAC equipment. Safeguarding a high-efficiency heating and cooling system with a surge protector is often less expensive than repairing or replacing damaged components. 
  5. Smart home technology. Homes with connected thermostats and other connected devices have more sensitive electronics to protect. 

 

Professional Surge Protection Installation Is Important 

Home HVAC surge protection must be installed correctly to provide consistent 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 experienced professionals at Assured Appliance & Heating & Air understand the unique 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 with Whole-Home Surge Protection 

Voltage spikes aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a major impact on your heating and cooling system. Adding whole-home surge protection is a smart way to help prevent expensive repairs, extend equipment life and improve the reliability of your HVAC system. 

If you’re ready to learn more about AC or furnace surge protection, you can count on the team at . Our HVAC services include a variety of surge protection options, including whole-home protection. Our professionals will review your home’s needs and suggest a setup to protect your home HVAC. Along with surge protection, we offer all electrical services for the rest of your home. 

Find out 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 

Yes. Whole-home 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, and it helps extend the life of your home comfort system.

Yes. A power surge can damage an air conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause major 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.

The most common sources of power surges include lightning strikes, utility grid switching, power outages, power restoration and large appliances cycling on and off. Power surges may also stem from problems within your home’s electrical system. Repeated minor power surges can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.

A typical whole-home surge protector lasts about 5 to 10 years, although its lifespan 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.

It depends. Homeowners insurance sometimes cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the surge. With policy limits and deductibles varying, surge protection installation is often a smart way to protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.

Yes. Power surge protection for HVAC helps safeguard smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from damaging voltage spikes. It also helps improve system longevity and reduce the risk of extensive repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.