Many people think power surges only happen during lightning storms. Although lightning is one cause, it isn’t the only one. Major appliances turning on and off, electrical grid switching, power outages and restoration can all create voltage spikes inside your home.
These surges don’t just damage televisions and computers. They may also cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s heating and cooling systems rely on highly sensitive electronic components. The good news is HVAC surge protection can help shield one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of costly repairs.
What Is a Power Surge
A power surge is a short spike in electrical voltage in your home’s wiring. While it lasts only a fraction of a second, it still can damage home electronics.
Lightning remains the most well-known cause, but many surges happen 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. Large appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners can also create brief voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. Sometimes, loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges.
While a single large surge can cause immediate damage, smaller, repeated voltage spikes can slowly wear down HVAC components 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. While these features offer many benefits, they can also 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 minimal voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed blower motors. Variable speed motors rely on electronic controls that are sensitive to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Smart home devices are made with delicate electronics that communicate with your HVAC equipment.
- Electronic communication systems. Today’s HVAC systems rely on electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for reliable operation.
- Variable-capacity inverter technology. Systems with variable-capacity operation use sophisticated electronics that benefit from surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Need the Most Protection?
Damage from power 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 voltage spike incidents.
HVAC components that are frequently damaged by power surges in McPherson include:
- Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary.
- Airconditioner 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 used to move conditioned air throughout your home.
- HVAC system capacitors. Surges can weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. A smart thermostat can malfunction after repeated voltage spikes.
- Electronic heat pump components. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components that can be vulnerable to surges.
Which is Better for My Home: Whole-Home Surge Protection or Power Strips?
Many homeowners use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but these plug-in devices don’t protect your furnace or air conditioner. To provide complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers more comprehensive coverage and long-term value.
A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is located at your home’s electrical panel. Unlike devices that protect only one outlet, it can help safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your entire house, including your HVAC equipment.
Benefits of Whole-Home HVAC Surge Protection
Installing whole-home surge protection is an effective way to protect your HVAC investment while also working to safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home.
Benefits of whole-home HVAC surge protection include:
- Lower repair expenses. Avoiding surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
- Extended HVAC system lifespan. vulnerable technological components experience lower electrical stress over time when properly protected.
- Protection for household electronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-house surge protector also shields appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Added confidence during severe weather. You’ll have added confidence when severe storms strike your area.
- Protection from 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 powerful summer storms in McPherson, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of electrical surge damage.
- Blackouts or flickering lights. Ongoing power interruptions and changing voltage levels increase the likelihood of electrical surges.
- Aging electrical systems. Old wiring or substandard electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk.
- Expensive HVAC equipment. Protecting a high-efficiency heating and cooling system with a surge protector is often far less costly than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Smart home devices. Homes with smart thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Expert Surge Protection Installation Makes a Difference
Whole-house surge protection must be installed correctly to provide reliable protection. Choosing licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at McPherson Quality Air & Plumbing helps make sure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to help protect your home HVAC system.
The skilled professionals at McPherson Quality Air & Plumbing understand the unique 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 from Future Power Surges
Power surges aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a significant impact on your heating and cooling equipment. Investing in whole-home surge protection is an effective 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 variety of surge protection options, including whole-home protection. Our professionals will assess your home’s needs and help you choose a customized solution to protect your home HVAC. Along with surge protection, we provide all electrical services for the rest of your home.
Find out how surge protection can help protect your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 620-245-0599 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is a whole-house surge protection beneficial for an HVAC system?
Absolutely. 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 HVAC components, which can help extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can an electrical surge damage an air conditioner?
It can. A power surge can damage an air conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, leading to major repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical fluctuations by reducing the impact of voltage spikes before they reach sensitive HVAC components.
What causes 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?
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 need replacement sooner.
Does a homeowners insurance policy cover damage caused by power surges?
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 cost-effective way to help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
Does surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
It can. Power surge protection for HVAC helps safeguard smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from electrical surges. It can also improve system longevity and reduce the risk of expensive repairs to modern heating and cooling equipment.
