Many homeowners think power surges occur only during lightning storms. While lightning is definitely one cause, it’s far from 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 surges don’t just damage televisions and computers. They can also cause HVAC electrical damage because modern 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 brief spike in electrical voltage in your home’s wiring. Although it lasts only a fraction of a second, it may damage household electronics, including HVAC equipment.
Lightning remains the most well-known cause, but power surges often occur much closer to home. Utility companies regularly switch power on the electrical grid, and electrical surges also can happen when electricity is restored after an outage. Major appliances like refrigerators or AC units can also create minor voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. In some cases, loose wiring or other home electrical issues can cause surges.
Though a single significant surge can cause immediate damage, smaller surges can slowly wear down heating and air conditioning systems over time, limiting their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Require Better Surge Protection
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, highlighting the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
HVAC parts that are especially sensitive to power surges include:
- Circuit boards. These act 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 vulnerable to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Connected thermostats contain delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment.
- HVAC system communication controls. Modern heating and cooling systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for efficient operation.
- Inverter technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that work best with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk?
Damage from electrical surges can cost hundreds or even thousands to repair or replace. Installing electrical 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 Narvon include:
- Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary.
- HVAC compressors. An HVAC compressor 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. Surges can weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. A smart thermostat can malfunction after repeated voltage spikes.
- Heat pumpelectronics. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components which are vulnerable to surges.
Whole-Home Surge Protection vs. Power Strips
Homeowners commonly use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but those devices don’t protect your furnace or air conditioner. For complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers greater coverage and long-term value.
A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is set up right at your home’s electrical panel. Instead of regulating electricity to only one outlet, the system helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your house, including your heating and cooling equipment.
Benefits of Whole-House 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-house HVAC surge protection include:
- Lower repair expenses. Preventing surge damage can help avoid expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer HVAC equipmentlife. Sensitive components experience reduced electrical stress over time when properly protected.
- Protection of homeelectronics. 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 severe weather strikes.
- Defense against everyday electrical fluctuations. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage electronic HVAC equipment.
5 Signs It’s Time to Consider Surge Protection
- Severe weather. Given the frequent summer storms in Narvon, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of power surge damage.
- Frequent power outages or flickering lights. Frequent outages and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of electrical surges.
- Older electrical systems. Old wiring or substandard electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk.
- High-efficiency HVAC equipment. Shielding a high-efficiency heating and cooling system with a surge protector is often more affordable than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Connected home technology. Homes with smart thermostats and other connected devices have even more sensitive electronics to protect.
Professional Surge Protection Installation Matters
Whole-house surge protection must be installed correctly to provide dependable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Ameri-Tec helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to help protect your home HVAC system.
The skilled professionals at Ameri-Tec understand the specific electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will identify the right surge protector for your air conditioner, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment Before the Next Power Surge
Power surges aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a major impact on your HVAC equipment. Installing whole-home surge protection is a proactive way to help prevent expensive 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-house surge protectors. Our professionals will review your home’s needs and suggest a customized solution 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 717-844-9228 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC
Is HVAC surge protection a good investment?
Yes. Whole-house surge protection is often a smart investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. Installing surge protection is typically much lower than repairing or replacing damaged furnace or air conditioner components, helping extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can a power surge damage an AC unit?
Absolutely. A power surge can damage your AC unit’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause costly 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 can cause power surges inside a home?
Lightning strikes, utility grid switching and power outages are among the most common causes of power surges in homes. Power surges may also stem 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 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 need replacement sooner.
Does a homeowners insurance policy cover power surge damage?
In some cases, but not all. Homeowners insurance sometimes cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the surge. With policy limits and deductibles varying, surge protection installation is often a smart way to avoid paying for preventable and expensive HVAC repairs.
Will surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
It can. Power surge protection for HVAC helps shield smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from electrical surges. Surge protection may also improve system reliability and reduce the risk of extensive repairs to your home’s heating and cooling equipment.