Many people think power surges only happen during lightning storms. Although lightning is one cause, it’s certainly not the only one. Utility switching, power outages/restoration and even large appliances cycling on and off can all create voltage spikes inside your home.
These electrical surges don’t just threaten televisions and computers. They can also cause HVAC electrical damage because current heating and cooling systems rely on advanced electronic components. Fortunately, HVAC surge protection can help safeguard one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of major repairs.
What Are Power Surges
A power surge is a sudden spike in electrical voltage in your home’s wiring. While 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. Power companies frequently adjust power on the electrical grid, and power can also surge when electricity is restored after an outage. Large appliances like refrigerators or AC units can also create brief voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. In some cases, 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. Even though hese advanced features offer many benefits, they also make equipment more sensitive to 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 brief or small voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed blower motors. Variable speed motors rely on electronic controls that are susceptible to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Smart home devices are made with 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 energy-efficient operation.
- Inverter-driven technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that are better protected with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk?
Damage from power surges can cost hundreds or even thousands to repair. Installing whole-house surge protection helps minimize the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after voltage spike incidents.
HVAC components most vulnerable to power surges in Newton include:
- Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary.
- HVAC compressors. The compressor is one of the most expensive parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace.
- Blower motors.Voltage spikes can damage motors responsible for circulating conditioned air throughout your home.
- Capacitors. Power surges may weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. These devices may malfunction after multiple voltage spikes.
- Electronic heat pump components. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components that are particularly vulnerable to surges.
Comparing Whole-Home Surge Protection to 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 connected 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 HVAC system.
Benefits of Whole-Home Surge Protection
Installing whole-home surge protection is a proactive way to protect your HVAC investment while helping safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home.
Benefits of whole-house HVAC surge protection include:
- Fewer repair costs. Preventing surge damage can help reduce expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer-lasting HVAC equipment. Electronic HVAC components experience reduced electrical stress over time when properly protected.
- Protection for household electronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-home surge protector also helps protect appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Greater peace of mind duringstorms. You’ll have added confidence when severe weather strikes.
- Protection from everyday electrical fluctuations. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage electronic HVAC equipment.
5 Signs It’s Time to Consider Surge Protection
- Regular summer storms. Given the powerful summer storms in Newton, lightning protection for your HVAC can help reduce the risk of surge-related damage.
- Frequent power outages or flickering lights. Repeated outages and electrical fluctuations increase the likelihood of power surges.
- Older electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk.
- Modern heating and cooling equipment. Protecting a high-efficiency heating and cooling system by installing whole-home surge protection is often far less costly than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Smart home technology. Homes with connected thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Why Professional Surge Protection Installation Makes a Difference
Whole-house surge protection must be professionally installed to provide reliable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Brookwood Inc helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system.
The experienced professionals at Brookwood Inc 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 with Whole-Home Surge Protection
Power surges aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a significant impact on your HVAC equipment. Investing in 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 considering 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 evaluate your home’s needs and help you choose a setup to protect your home HVAC. In addition to surge protection, we provide all electrical services for the rest of your home.
See how surge protection can help protect your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 641-693-6216 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is a whole-house surge protection beneficial for an HVAC system?
Absolutely. Whole-house surge protection is typically a worthwhile 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?
Absolutely. A power surge can damage an air conditioning compressor, circuit board and blower motor, leading to expensive 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 causes power surges inside a home?
The most common sources of power surges include 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. Even small, repeated 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 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.
Does a homeowners insurance policy cover power surge damage?
It can. Homeowners insurance can 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 a smart way to help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
Can a surge protector help protect smart thermostats?
It can. Power surge protection for HVAC helps shield smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from power surges. It also helps improve system lifespan and reduce the risk of costly repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.
