Homeowners often think power surges are limited to 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 electrical surges inside your home.
These electric voltage spikes don’t just threaten televisions and computers. These surges can cause HVAC electrical damage because modern heating and cooling systems rely on advanced electronic components. The good news is HVAC surge protection can help protect one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of major repairs.
What Is a Power Surge
A power surge is a sudden spike in electrical voltage running through your home’s wiring. While it lasts only a fraction of a second, it can damage home electronics.
Lightning is the most well-known cause, but many electrical surges begin much closer to home. Power companies frequently adjust power on the electrical grid, and voltage can also spike when electricity is restored after an outage. Large appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners can also create small voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. In some cases, loose wiring or other home electrical issues lead to surges.
Though a single significant surge can cause immediate damage, smaller surges can slowly wear down HVAC components over time, shortening their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Require Better Surge Protection
Modern heating and cooling systems use advanced electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Even though hese advanced features offer many benefits, they can make equipment more vulnerable to damage from voltage spikes, increasing the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
HVAC parts that are especially sensitive to power surges include:
- Electronic circuit boards. These act as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even brief or small voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed 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.
- Electronic communication systems. Many newer heating and air conditioning systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for energy-efficient operation.
- Inverter technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems rely on sophisticated electronics that benefit from surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Need the Most Protection?
Damage from electrical surges can cost hundreds or even more to repair. Installing whole-house surge protection helps minimize the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after electrical surge incidents.
HVAC components most commonly affected by power surges in Crown Point 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.Voltage spikes can damage motors responsible for circulating conditioned air throughout your home.
- HVAC system capacitors. Power surges may weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. These devices may malfunction after multiple voltage spikes.
- Heat pumpelectronics. Heat pump systems depend 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 power strips don’t protect your HVAC system. For HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers greater coverage and greater 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
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:
- Reduced repaircosts. Reducing surge damage can help avoid expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer HVAC equipmentlife. Electronic HVAC components experience less electrical stress over time when properly protected.
- Protection for household electronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, whole-home surge protection also helps protect appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Less stress during storms. You’ll have added confidence when severe storms strike your area.
- Protectionagainst everyday electrical fluctuations. Minor electrical surges can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs You May Need Surge Protection
- Regular summer storms. Given the frequent summer storms in Crown Point, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of power surge damage.
- Blackouts 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. Shielding a high-efficiency heating and cooling system with a surge protector is often more affordable than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Smart home devices. Homes with smart thermostats and other connected devices have more sensitive electronics to protect.
Why Professional Surge Protection Installation Makes a Difference
Home HVAC surge protection must be properly installed to provide dependable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Struven Heating & Cooling helps confirm the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system.
The experienced professionals at Struven Heating & Cooling understand the specific electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will help you choose 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 obvious, but they can have a significant impact on your HVAC system. Investing in 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 ready to learn more about 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. Beyond surge protection, we provide 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 219-292-0956 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is a whole-house surge protection beneficial for an HVAC system?
In most cases, yes. Installing whole-home surge protection is often worth the investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. Installing surge protection is typically much lower than repairing or replacing damaged heating and cooling components, which can help extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can a sudden power spike damage an air conditioner?
Yes. A power surge can damage an air conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, resulting in costly repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by preventing the surges from reaching 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. Even small, repeated surges can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.
What is the average lifespan of a whole-house surge protector?
Most whole-home surge protectors last 5 to 10 years, although its lifespan 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 homeowners’ insurance cover power surge repairs?
It can. Homeowners insurance can 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 cost-effective way to protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.
Can surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
It can. Power surge protection for HVAC helps safeguard smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from power surges. Surge protection may also improve system longevity and reduce the risk of expensive repairs to your home’s heating and cooling equipment.
