Homeowners often think power surges only happen during lightning storms. While lightning is definitely 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 power surges inside your home. 

These electrical surges don’t just threaten televisions and computers. These surges can cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s heating and cooling systems rely on highly sensitive electronic components. Thankfully, HVAC surge protection can help shield 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 sudden spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. While it lasts only a fraction of a second, it can damage electronic components. 

Lightning is the most well-known cause, but power surges often occur much closer to home. Electric utility providers routinely switch power on the electrical grid, and power can also surge when electricity is restored after an outage. Major appliances like refrigerators or AC units can also create brief voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. It’s also possible that loose wiring or other home electrical issues can cause surges. 

While a single large surge can cause immediate damage, repeated minor 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 high-tech electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. While these features offer many benefits, they can make equipment more at risk of damage from voltage spikes, increasing 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 advanced motors rely on electronic controls that are vulnerable to electric surges. 
  • Smart thermostats. Connected thermostats contain delicate electronics that automatically adjust your HVAC equipment. 
  • HVAC system communication controls. Today’s HVAC systems rely on electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for reliable operation. 
  • Inverter-driven technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems rely on sophisticated electronics that are better protected with surge protection. 

Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk? 

Damage from electrical surges can cost hundreds or even thousands to repair. Installing electrical surge protection helps minimize the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after power surge incidents. 

HVAC components most commonly affected by power surges in Smyrna include: 

  • Control boards:The HVAC system’s control board contains essential operating controls, which can be badly damaged by surges. 
  • Compressors. The compressor is one of the highest-priced 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. 
  • Capacitors. Power surges may weaken or damage these components, impacting system startup and performance. 
  • Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. These devices may malfunction after repeated voltage spikes. 
  • Heat pump control electronics. Heat pump systems depend on multiple electronic components which are vulnerable to surges. 

Which is Better for My Home: Whole-Home Surge Protection or Power Strips? 

Many homeowners use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but power strips don’t protect your furnace or air conditioner. To provide complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers greater coverage and greater long-term value. 

A professionally installed whole-home surge protector is connected at your home’s electrical panel. Rather than protecting only one outlet, it helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your entire house, including your HVAC system. 

Benefits of Whole-Home HVAC Surge Protection 

Installing 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. Avoiding surge damage can help avoid expensive HVAC repairs. 
  • Extended HVAC system lifespan. vulnerable technological components experience less electrical stress over time when properly protected. 
  • Protection for household electronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-house surge protector also shields 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. Minor electrical surges can gradually damage connected HVAC devices. 

5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection 

  1. Frequent storms. Given the powerful summer storms in Smyrna, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of electrical surge damage. 
  2. Power outages or flickering lights. Ongoing power interruptions and electrical fluctuations increase the likelihood of damaging voltage spikes. 
  3. Older electrical systems. Old wiring or substandard electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk. 
  4. 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. 
  5. Smart home devices. Homes with smart thermostats and other connected devices have even more sensitive electronics to protect. 

 

Professional Surge Protection Installation Makes a Difference 

Whole-home surge protection must be installed correctly to provide reliable protection. Choosing 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 help protect your home HVAC system. 

The experienced professionals at Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC 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 from Future Power Surges 

Electrical surges aren’t always obvious, but they can have a major impact on your HVAC 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 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. In addition to 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 302-653-0503 today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection 

In most cases, yes. Whole-home surge protection is typically a worthwhile 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.

It can. A power surge can damage an air conditioning compressor, circuit board and blower motor, leading to expensive repairs. A surge protector for your AC helps protect your air conditioner from electrical fluctuations by shielding the sensitive HVAC components.

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.

A whole-house surge protector usually lasts 5 to 10 years, although that 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 may cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and what caused the surge. With policy limits and deductibles varying, surge protection installation is often cost-effective 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 lifespan and reduce the risk of costly repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.