Many homeowners think power surges are limited to lightning storms. While lightning is definitely 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 electric voltage spikes don’t just damage televisions and computers. They can also cause HVAC electrical damage because current heating and cooling systems rely on highly sensitive 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 power surge in your home is a brief spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. Although it lasts only a fraction of a second, it can damage electronic components.
Lightning remains the most well-known cause, but power surges often occur 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. Major appliances like refrigerators or AC units can also create small voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. Sometimes, loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges.
Although one major power surge can cause immediate damage, smaller surges can slowly wear down heating and air conditioning systems over time, shortening their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Are More Vulnerable Than Ever
Today’s heating and cooling systems use sophisticated electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Although these technologies offer many benefits, they can 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:
- 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. These advanced motors rely on electronic controls that are susceptible to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. A smart thermostat uses delicate electronics that automatically adjust your HVAC equipment.
- Electronic communication systems. Today’s HVAC systems rely on electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for efficient operation.
- Inverter-driven technology. Systems with variable-capacity operation use sophisticated electronics that are better protected with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Need the Most Protection?
Damage from electrical surges can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to repair. Installing whole-home surge protection helps reduce the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after electrical surge incidents.
HVAC components most commonly affected by power surges in Oxford include:
- Control boards:Installing a whole-house surge protector protects your HVAC control board’s main.
- HVAC compressors. An HVAC compressor is one of the most expensive 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. Electrical surges can weaken or damage these components, reducing system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after repeated voltage spikes.
- Heat pump control electronics. Heat pump systems depend on multiple electronic components which are vulnerable to surges.
Comparing Whole-Home Surge Protection to Power Strips
Many people use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but power strips don’t protect your furnace or air conditioner. To provide complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers broader coverage and lasting value.
A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is located at your home’s electrical panel. Rather than protecting only one outlet, it can help safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your house, including your heating and cooling equipment.
Benefits of Whole-Home HVAC Surge Protection
Adding whole-home surge protection is a proactive way to protect your HVAC investment while also helping safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home.
Benefits of whole-home HVAC surge protection include:
- Reduced repaircosts. Preventing surge damage can help reduce expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer HVAC equipmentlife. Electronic HVAC components experience lower electrical stress over time when protected correctly.
- Protection for household electronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-home surge protector also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Greater peace of mind duringstorms. Homeowners gain added confidence when severe weather strikes.
- Defense against everyday electrical fluctuations. Small voltage spikes can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs It’s Time to Consider Surge Protection
- Regular summer storms. Given the powerful summer storms in Oxford, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of surge-related damage.
- Blackouts or flickering lights. Ongoing power interruptions and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of electrical 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 by installing whole-home surge protection is often less expensive than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Connected home technology. Homes with Wi-Fi thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Professional Surge Protection Installation Matters
Whole-home surge protection must be professionally installed to provide dependable protection. Working with licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc helps make sure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to safeguard your home HVAC system.
The experienced professionals at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc understand the unique electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will recommend the right surge protector for your air conditioner, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment Before the Next Power Surge
Voltage spikes aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a significant impact on your HVAC system. Adding 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-house surge protectors. Our professionals will review your home’s needs and help you choose a customized solution to protect your home HVAC. In addition to 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 662-281-1231 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is whole-home surge protection worth it for an HVAC system?
Yes. Installing whole-home 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 HVAC components, and it helps extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can an electrical surge damage an air conditioner?
Yes. A power surge can damage an air conditioning compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause major repairs. AC surge protection helps protect your air conditioner from power surges by shielding the sensitive HVAC components.
What causes 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. 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 actual service life 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 damage?
In some cases, but not all. Homeowners insurance sometimes 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 protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.
Does a surge protector help protect smart thermostats?
Absolutely. Power surge protection for HVAC helps shield smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from damaging voltage spikes. Surge protection may also improve system reliability and reduce the risk of expensive repairs to your home’s heating and cooling equipment.