Homeowners often think power surges occur only during lightning storms. While lightning is definitely one cause, it isn’t the only one. Utility grid activity, restoring power after outages and large household appliances cycling can all create electrical surges inside your home.
These surges don’t just pose a risk to televisions and computers. These surges can cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s heating and cooling systems rely on advanced electronic components. Fortunately, HVAC surge protection can help protect one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of major repairs.
What Are Power Surges
A power surge in your home is a short spike in electrical voltage in your home’s wiring. Although it lasts only a fraction of a second, it can damage electronic components.
Lightning remains the most well-known cause, but many electrical surges begin much closer to home. Utility companies regularly switch power on the electrical grid, and power can also surge when electricity is restored after an outage. Household appliances like refrigerators or HVAC systems can also create brief voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. Sometimes, 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 cooling equipment over time, shortening their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Are More Vulnerable Than Ever
Modern heating and cooling systems use sophisticated electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Although these technologies offer many benefits, they can make equipment more at risk of damage from voltage spikes, increasing 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 brief or small voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed blower motors. These energy-saving motors rely on electronic controls that are susceptible to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Connected thermostats contain delicate electronics that automatically adjust your HVAC equipment.
- HVAC system communication controls. Modern heating and cooling systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for energy-efficient operation.
- Inverter technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems 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 repair or replace. Installing whole-house surge protection helps minimize the risk of unexpected failures and expensive HVAC repair after power surge incidents.
HVAC components that are frequently damaged by power surges in Weatherford include:
- Control boards:Installing a whole-house surge protector protects your HVAC control board’s main.
- HVAC compressors. This component is one of the highest-priced parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace.
- Blower motors.Power surges can damage motors responsible for circulating conditioned air throughout your home.
- HVAC system capacitors. Electrical surges can weaken or damage these components, impacting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after frequent voltage spikes.
- Heat pump control electronics. Heat pump systems depend on multiple electronic components that are particularly vulnerable to surges.
Comparing Whole-Home Surge Protection to Power Strips
Many homeowners use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but those devices don’t protect your HVAC system. To provide complete 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. Unlike devices that protect only one outlet, it helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your entire house, including your heating and cooling equipment.
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:
- Reduced repaircosts. Preventing surge damage can help reduce expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer-lasting HVAC equipment. Electronic HVAC components experience lower electrical stress over time when properly protected.
- Protection for household electronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, whole-home surge protection also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Less stress during storms. You’ll have added confidence when severe weather strikes.
- Defense against everyday electrical fluctuations. Minor electrical surges can gradually damage your HVAC system.
5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection
- Frequent storms. Given the frequent summer storms in Weatherford, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of electrical surge damage.
- Power outages or flickering lights. Ongoing power interruptions and changing voltage levels increase the likelihood of electrical surges.
- Outdated home wiring. Old wiring or outdated electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk.
- Expensive HVAC 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.
- Connected home technology. Homes with smart thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Expert Surge Protection Installation Matters
Whole-home surge protection must be installed correctly to provide reliable protection. Choosing licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Parker County Cooling & Heating helps confirm the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to safeguard your home HVAC system.
The experienced professionals at Parker County Cooling & Heating understand the specific 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
Voltage spikes aren’t always obvious, but they can have a significant impact on your HVAC system. Investing in whole-home surge protection is an effective 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 variety of surge protection options, including whole-home surge protection systems. Our professionals will review your home’s needs and recommend a setup to protect your home HVAC. In addition to surge protection, we offer all electrical services for the rest of your home.
Learn how surge protection can help safeguard your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 817-587-4899 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 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 an electrical surge damage an AC unit?
It can. A power surge can damage an air conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, resulting in major repairs. AC surge protection helps protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by shielding the sensitive HVAC components.
What can cause power surges throughout 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. 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.
What is the average lifespan of a whole-house surge protector?
A whole-house surge protector usually lasts 5 to 10 years, although actual service life 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 require replacement sooner.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover damage caused by power surges?
It can. Homeowners insurance may cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the surge. Since coverage and deductibles differ, surge protection installation is often a smart way to protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.
Can surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
Yes. Power surge protection for HVAC helps safeguard smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from electrical surges. Surge protection may also improve system longevity and reduce the risk of costly repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.