Many people think power surges are limited to lightning storms. While lightning is 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 pose a risk to televisions and computers. They may also cause HVAC electrical damage because current heating and cooling systems rely on sophisticated electronic components. Thankfully, HVAC surge protection can help safeguard one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of expensive repairs.
What Are Power Surges
A home power surge is a short spike in electrical voltage in your home’s wiring. Although it lasts only a fraction of a second, it still can damage household electronics, including HVAC equipment.
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 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. Sometimes, loose wiring or other home electrical issues lead to surges.
Although one major power surge can cause immediate damage, smaller, repeated voltage spikes can slowly wear down heating and cooling equipment over time, reducing their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Are More Vulnerable Than Ever
Today’s heating and cooling systems use advanced 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 serve 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 susceptible to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. A smart thermostat uses delicate electronics that communicate with your HVAC equipment.
- Communication systems. Modern heating and cooling systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for energy-efficient operation.
- Variable-capacity 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 power surges can cost hundreds or even thousands to repair or replace. Installing electrical surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after voltage spike incidents.
HVAC components most vulnerable to power surges in Mobile include:
- Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary.
- HVAC compressors. This component is one of the highest-priced parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace.
- Blower motors.Electrical surges can damage motors that circulate conditioned air throughout your home.
- HVACcapacitors. Surges can weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after frequent voltage spikes.
- Electronic heat pump components. Modern heat pumps use multiple electronic components which are vulnerable to surges.
Which is Better for My Home: Whole-Home Surge Protection or Power Strips?
Homeowners commonly use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but power strips don’t protect your HVAC system. For complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers broader 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, it can help safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout the house, including your HVAC equipment.
Benefits of Whole-House Surge Protection
Installing whole-home surge protection is an effective way to protect your HVAC investment while also helping safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home.
Benefits of whole-home HVAC surge protection include:
- Fewer repair costs. Preventing surge damage can help reduce expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer-lasting HVAC equipment. vulnerable technological components experience less electrical stress over time when protected correctly.
- Protection of homeelectronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-house surge protector also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Greater peace of mind duringstorms. Surge protection provides added confidence when severe weather strikes.
- Protectionagainst everyday electrical fluctuations. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs It’s Time to Consider Surge Protection
- Regular summer storms. Given the strong summer storms in Mobile, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of power surge damage.
- Power outages or flickering lights. Repeated outages and electrical fluctuations increase the likelihood of power surges.
- Older electrical systems. Old wiring or outdated electrical equipment can increase your home’s surge risk.
- Expensive HVAC equipment. Safeguarding a high-efficiency heating and cooling system with a surge protector 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.
Professional Surge Protection Installation Is Important
Whole-house surge protection must be professionally installed to provide reliable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc helps confirm the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system.
The experienced professionals at Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc understand the unique electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will help you choose the right surge protector for your AC, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment Before the Next Power Surge
Electrical surges aren’t always obvious, but they can have a significant impact on your HVAC system. 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 ready to learn more about AC or furnace surge protection, you can count on the team at . Our HVAC services include a wide variety of surge protection options, including whole-house surge protectors. Our professionals will evaluate 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 251-471-2674 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is whole-home surge protection worth it for an HVAC system?
Absolutely. Installing whole-home surge protection is often a smart investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. The cost of installing surge protection is typically much lower than repairing or replacing damaged HVAC components, helping extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can an electrical surge damage an AC unit?
Yes. A power surge can damage an air conditioning compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause expensive repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by reducing the impact of voltage spikes before they reach sensitive HVAC components.
What are the common causes of 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. They can also result from problems within your home’s electrical system. Small voltage spikes can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.
How long does a whole-home surge protector last?
Most whole-home surge protectors last 5 to 10 years, although that 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 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 reason for the surge. Since coverage and deductibles differ, surge protection installation is often a smart way to protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.
Will whole-home surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
Yes. Power surge protection for HVAC helps safeguard smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from power surges. Surge protection may also improve system reliability and reduce the risk of costly repairs to your home’s heating and cooling equipment.