Homeowners often think power surges only happen during lightning storms. While lightning is one cause, it isn’t 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 electric voltage spikes don’t just pose a risk to televisions and computers. They may also cause HVAC electrical damage because current 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 expensive repairs.
What Are Power Surges
A home 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 still can damage electronic components.
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 air conditioners can also create brief voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. In some cases, loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges.
Although one major power surge can cause immediate damage, repeated minor surges can slowly wear down heating and cooling equipment over time, shortening 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. Even though hese advanced features offer many benefits, they can make equipment more vulnerable to damage from voltage spikes, increasing 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. These advanced motors rely on electronic controls that are vulnerable to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Smart home devices are made with delicate electronics that automatically adjust your HVAC equipment.
- Communication systems. Modern heating and cooling systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for energy-efficient operation.
- Inverter technology. Systems with variable-capacity operation use sophisticated electronics that benefit from surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk?
Damage from electrical surges can cost hundreds or even more to fix. Installing whole-house 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 Cartersville include:
- Control boards:The HVAC system’s control board contains essential operating controls, which can be badly damaged by surges.
- Compressors. An HVAC compressor is one of the highest-priced parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace.
- Blower motors.Voltage spikes 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. Heat pump systems depend on multiple electronic components that can be 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 furnace or air conditioner. For HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers greater coverage and lasting value.
A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is located at your home’s electrical panel. Unlike devices that protect only one outlet, the system helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your entire house, including your HVAC system.
Benefits of Whole-Home HVAC Surge Protection
Using 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-home HVAC surge protection include:
- Fewer repair costs. Reducing 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. Surge protection provides added confidence when weather-related power outages occur.
- Protectionagainst everyday electrical fluctuations. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs It’s Time to Consider Surge Protection
- Severe weather. Given the frequent summer storms in Cartersville, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of surge-related damage.
- Frequent power outages or flickering lights. Frequent outages and changing voltage levels increase the likelihood of power surges.
- Outdated home wiring. Old wiring or outdated electrical equipment can increase 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.
- Smart home technology. Homes with Wi-Fi thermostats and other connected devices have even more sensitive electronics to protect.
Professional Surge Protection Installation Is Important
Whole-home surge protection must be installed correctly to provide reliable protection. Choosing licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Champion Air Systems helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to help protect your home HVAC system.
The skilled professionals at Champion Air Systems 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 Before the Next Power Surge
Electrical surges aren’t always obvious, but they can have a significant impact on your heating and cooling equipment. Installing whole-home surge protection is an effective way to help prevent costly 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 recommend a setup to protect your home HVAC. Along with surge protection, we provide all electrical services for the rest of your home.
Learn how surge protection can help safeguard your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 678-757-7020 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is whole-home surge protection worth it for an HVAC system?
Yes. Whole-home surge protection is often a smart 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, and it helps extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can a power surge damage an air conditioner?
It can. A power surge can damage your AC unit’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause major repairs. AC surge protection helps protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by reducing the impact of voltage spikes before they reach sensitive HVAC components.
What are the common causes of power surges inside 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. They can also result from problems within your home’s electrical system. Small voltage spikes can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.
What is the average lifespan of a whole-house surge protector?
Most whole-home surge protectors last 5 to 10 years, although actual service life 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 need replacement sooner.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover power surge repairs?
It depends. Homeowners insurance sometimes cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and what caused the surge. Because deductibles and coverage vary, surge protection installation is often a smart way to help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
Does surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
Absolutely. Power surge protection for HVAC helps protect smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from damaging voltage spikes. It can also improve system performance and reduce the risk of extensive repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.