Many homeowners think power surges are limited to lightning storms. While lightning is one cause, it isn’t the only one. Utility grid activity, restoring power after outages and large household appliances cycling can all create power surges inside your home.
These surges don’t just damage televisions and computers. They can also cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s 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 expensive repairs.
What Is a Power Surge
A power surge in your home 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 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. Large appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners can also create minor voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. It’s also possible that loose wiring or other home electrical issues can cause surges.
Although one major power 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 Are More Vulnerable Than Ever
Many of today’s heating and cooling systems use high-tech electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. While these features offer many benefits, they can also make equipment more at risk of damage from voltage spikes, highlighting the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
HVAC parts that are especially sensitive to power surges include:
- Electronic circuit 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. A smart thermostat uses delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment.
- Communication systems. Today’s HVAC systems rely on electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for efficient operation.
- Variable-capacity inverter technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that are better protected with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most Vulnerable to Power Surges?
Damage from voltage spikes can cost hundreds or even thousands to repair. Installing whole-home surge protection helps reduce the risk of unexpected failures and expensive HVAC repair after power surge incidents.
HVAC components most vulnerable to power surges in Smyrna include:
- Control boards:Installing a whole-house surge protector protects your HVAC control board’s main.
- Compressors. This component is one of the costliest 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.
- Capacitors. Surges can weaken or damage these components, impacting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after frequent voltage spikes.
- Electronic heat pump components. 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 these plug-in devices don’t protect your furnace or air conditioner. For HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers broader coverage and greater long-term value.
A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is connected at your home’s electrical panel. Rather than protecting only one outlet, the system helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your entire house, including your heating and cooling equipment.
Benefits of Whole-Home HVAC Surge Protection
Using whole-home surge protection is an effective way to protect your HVAC investment while also helping safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home.
Benefits of whole-house HVAC surge protection include:
- Fewer repair costs. Preventing surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
- Extended HVAC system lifespan. Sensitive components experience less electrical stress over time when protected correctly.
- Protection of homeelectronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-house surge protector also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Less stress during storms. Surge protection provides added confidence when severe storms strike your area.
- Defense against everyday electrical fluctuations. Small voltage spikes can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs It’s Time to Consider Surge Protection
- Severe weather. Given the strong summer storms in Smyrna, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of surge-related damage.
- Frequent power outages or flickering lights. Repeated outages and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of electrical surges.
- Aging electrical systems. Old wiring or outdated electrical equipment can raise your home’s surge risk.
- Modern heating and cooling equipment. Safeguarding a high-efficiency heating and cooling system by installing whole-home surge protection is often less expensive than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Smart home devices. Homes with smart thermostats and other connected devices have even more sensitive electronics to protect.
Why Professional Surge Protection Installation Makes a Difference
Home HVAC surge protection must be installed correctly to provide consistent protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC helps make sure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system.
The skilled professionals at Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC understand the specialized electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will identify the right surge protector for your air conditioning unit, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment from Future Power Surges
Electrical surges aren’t always obvious, but they can have a major impact on your heating and cooling equipment. Adding 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 a wide variety of surge protection options, including whole-home protection. Our professionals will review your home’s needs and help you choose a customized solution to protect your home HVAC. Beyond 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 302-653-0503 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is HVAC surge protection a good investment?
In most cases, yes. Whole-home surge protection is often worth the investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. Compared with repair costs, installing surge protection is typically much lower than repairing or replacing damaged furnace or air conditioner components, and it helps extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can a power surge damage an an air conditioning system?
Yes. A power surge can damage an air conditioning compressor, circuit board and blower motor, resulting in major repairs. AC surge protection helps protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by preventing the surges from reaching sensitive HVAC components.
What causes 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. They can also result from problems within your home’s electrical system. Even small, repeated surges can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.
What is the average lifespan of a whole-house surge protector?
A typical whole-home surge protector lasts about 5 to 10 years, although that depends on the number and severity of the surges it absorbs. Surge protector systems in homes that experience many severe storms or utility power fluctuations may need replacement sooner.
Does a homeowners insurance policy 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. Because deductibles and coverage vary, surge protection installation is often a smart way to help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
Will whole-home surge protection 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 longevity and reduce the risk of costly repairs to modern heating and cooling equipment.