Homeowners often think power surges only happen during lightning storms. Although lightning is one cause, it’s certainly not the only one. Major appliances turning on and off, electrical grid switching, power outages and restoration can all create electrical surges inside your home.
These electric voltage spikes don’t just damage televisions and computers. They can also cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s heating and cooling systems rely on highly sensitive electronic components. Fortunately, 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 is a short spike in electrical voltage in your home’s wiring. While it lasts only a fraction of a second, it may damage home electronics.
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. Household appliances like refrigerators or AC units can also create brief voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. Sometimes, loose wiring or other home electrical issues lead to surges.
Though a single significant surge can cause immediate damage, smaller surges can slowly wear down heating and air conditioning systems over time, reducing their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Need More Surge Protection Than Ever
Today’s heating and cooling systems use sophisticated electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Although these technologies offer many benefits, they can make equipment more sensitive to voltage spikes, highlighting the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
Some of the most at-risk HVAC components to power surges include:
- Circuit boards. They function as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even minimal voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed motors. These advanced motors rely on electronic controls that are vulnerable to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. A smart thermostat uses 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 reliable operation.
- Inverter-driven 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 to fix. Installing electrical surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after voltage spike incidents.
HVAC components most vulnerable to power surges in New Castle 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 responsible for circulating conditioned air throughout your home.
- HVACcapacitors. Power surges may weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after multiple voltage spikes.
- Electronic heat pump components. Heat pump systems depend on multiple electronic components that are particularly 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 power strips don’t protect your heating and cooling system. For HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers greater coverage and lasting value.
A professionally installed whole-home surge protector is set up right at your home’s electrical panel. Unlike devices that protect only one outlet, the system helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your house, including your HVAC system.
Benefits of Whole-Home Surge Protection
Adding whole-home surge protection is a proactive way to protect your HVAC investment while also working to safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home.
Benefits of whole-house HVAC surge protection include:
- Lower repair expenses. Preventing surge damage can help reduce expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer HVAC equipmentlife. Sensitive components experience reduced electrical stress over time when properly protected.
- Home electronics protection. In addition to protecting your HVAC, whole-home surge protection also helps protect appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Added confidence during severe weather. Homeowners gain added confidence when severe storms strike your area.
- Protection from everyday electrical fluctuations. Minor electrical surges can gradually damage electronic HVAC equipment.
5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection
- Severe weather. Given the strong summer storms in New Castle, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of surge-related damage.
- Blackouts or flickering lights. Repeated outages and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of power surges.
- Older electrical systems. Old wiring or outdated electrical equipment can raise your home’s surge risk.
- High-efficiency HVAC equipment. Protecting a high-efficiency heating and cooling system by installing whole-home surge protection is often more affordable than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Smart home technology. Homes with smart thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Professional Surge Protection Installation Matters
Home HVAC surge protection must be properly installed to provide dependable protection. Choosing licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Central Heating & Plumbing helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to safeguard your home HVAC system.
The skilled professionals at Central Heating & Plumbing understand the specific electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will recommend the right surge protector for your air conditioning unit, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment with Whole-Home Surge Protection
Electrical surges aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a big impact on your HVAC equipment. Adding whole-home surge protection is a proactive way to help prevent costly repairs, extend equipment life and improve the reliability of your HVAC system.
If you’re considering 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 recommend a setup to protect your home HVAC. Along with surge protection, we offer all electrical services for the rest of your home.
See how surge protection can help protect your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 724-530-3753 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is a whole-house surge protection beneficial for an HVAC system?
Yes. Whole-home surge protection is typically a worthwhile investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. Compared with repair costs, 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 an electrical surge damage an an air conditioning system?
Absolutely. A power surge can damage your AC unit’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, leading to costly repairs. A surge protector for your AC helps protect your air conditioner from electrical fluctuations by shielding the sensitive HVAC components.
What can cause power surges in a home?
Power surges are most commonly caused by lightning strikes, utility grid switching, power outages, power restoration and large appliances cycling on and off. Another possible cause is 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?
Most whole-home surge protectors last 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?
It depends. Homeowners insurance may cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and what caused the surge. Since coverage and deductibles differ, surge protection installation is often a smart way to avoid paying for preventable and expensive HVAC repairs.
Does surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
Yes. Power surge protection for HVAC helps protect smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from electrical surges. It can also improve system longevity and reduce the risk of expensive repairs to your home’s heating and cooling equipment.