Homeowners often think power surges only happen during lightning storms. Although lightning is one cause, it’s certainly not the only one. Utility grid activity, restoring power after outages and large household appliances cycling 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 current heating and cooling systems rely on advanced electronic components. Fortunately, HVAC surge protection can help shield one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of major repairs.
What Are Power Surges
A home power surge is a short spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. Even though 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 many surges happen much closer to home. Utility companies regularly switch power on the electrical grid, and voltage can also spike when electricity is restored after an outage. Large appliances like refrigerators or HVAC systems can also create small 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, repeated minor surges can slowly wear down heating and air conditioning systems 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 also make equipment more sensitive to voltage spikes, highlighting the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
Some of the most vulnerable components to power surges include:
- Control boards. They function as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even minimal voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed motors. Variable speed motors rely on electronic controls that are vulnerable to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. A smart thermostat uses delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment.
- HVAC system communication controls. Many newer heating and air conditioning systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for energy-efficient operation.
- Inverter-driven technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems rely on sophisticated electronics that work best with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk?
Damage from voltage spikes can cost hundreds or even thousands to repair or replace. Installing whole-home surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after voltage spike incidents.
HVAC components most commonly affected by power surges in Pflugerville include:
- Control boards:The HVAC system’s control board contains essential operating controls, which can be badly damaged by surges.
- Airconditioner compressors. This component is one of the highest-priced parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace.
- Blower motors.Voltage spikes can damage motors used to move conditioned air throughout your home.
- Capacitors. Power surges may weaken or damage these components, impacting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. These devices may malfunction after multiple voltage spikes.
- Heat pump control electronics. Modern heat pumps use multiple electronic components that are particularly vulnerable to surges.
Whole-Home Surge Protection vs. Power Strips
Many people use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but these plug-in devices don’t protect your heating and cooling system. For HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers more comprehensive coverage and lasting value.
A professionally installed whole-home surge protector is connected at your home’s electrical panel. Instead of regulating electricity to only one outlet, it helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your house, including your HVAC system.
Benefits of Whole-House Surge Protection
Installing 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:
- Fewer repair costs. Avoiding surge damage can help avoid expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer-lasting HVAC equipment. Sensitive components experience lower electrical stress over time when equipped with surge protection.
- Home electronics protection. 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 weather-related power outages occur.
- Protection from everyday electrical fluctuations. Small voltage spikes can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection
- Frequent storms. Given the powerful summer storms in Pflugerville, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of surge-related damage.
- Frequent power outages or flickering lights. Repeated outages and changing voltage levels increase the likelihood of damaging voltage spikes.
- Outdated home wiring. Old wiring or outdated electrical equipment can raise your home’s surge risk.
- High-efficiency HVAC equipment. Safeguarding 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 smart thermostats and other connected devices have even more sensitive electronics to protect.
Professional Surge Protection Installation Makes a Difference
Whole-home surge protection must be properly installed to provide dependable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning helps confirm the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system.
The skilled professionals at Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning understand the specialized electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will recommend the right surge protector for your air conditioning unit, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment from Future Power Surges
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 smart 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 a variety of surge protection options, including whole-house surge protectors. Our professionals will evaluate your home’s needs and help you choose a customized solution 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 512-337-4337 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is HVAC surge protection a good investment?
In most cases, yes. 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 heating and cooling components, and it helps extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can a sudden power spike damage an air conditioner?
Yes. A power surge can damage your AC unit’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, leading to costly repairs. AC surge protection helps protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by shielding the sensitive HVAC components.
What causes power surges in 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. Repeated minor power surges can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.
What is the average lifespan of a whole-house surge protector?
A typical whole-home surge protector lasts about 5 to 10 years, although its lifespan 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 require replacement sooner.
Does homeowners’ insurance 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 what caused the surge. With policy limits and deductibles varying, surge protection installation is often a smart way to help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
Will surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
It can. Power surge protection for HVAC helps shield smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from electrical surges. It also helps improve system lifespan and reduce the risk of expensive repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.
