Many people think power surges occur only during lightning storms. While lightning is definitely one cause, it isn’t the only one. Utility switching, power outages/restoration and even large appliances cycling on and off can all create power surges inside your home.
These electric voltage spikes don’t just damage televisions and computers. They may also cause HVAC electrical damage because modern heating and cooling systems rely on advanced electronic components. Thankfully, 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 in your home is a sudden spike in electrical voltage in your home’s wiring. Although it lasts only a fraction of a second, it can damage household electronics, including HVAC equipment.
Lightning remains the most well-known cause, but many surges happen much closer to home. Power companies frequently adjust power on the electrical grid, and power can also surge when electricity is restored after an outage. Major appliances like refrigerators or HVAC systems can also create minor voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. It’s also possible that loose wiring or other home electrical issues lead to surges.
Though a single significant surge can cause immediate damage, repeated minor surges can slowly wear down heating and cooling equipment over time, shortening their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Need More Surge Protection Than Ever
Modern heating and cooling systems use high-tech electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Although these technologies offer many benefits, they also make equipment more vulnerable to damage from voltage spikes, highlighting the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
HVAC parts that are especially sensitive to power surges include:
- Circuit boards. These act as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even very small voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed motors. These advanced motors rely on electronic controls that are susceptible to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Smart home devices are made with delicate electronics that communicate with your HVAC equipment.
- Electronic communication systems. Modern heating and cooling systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for efficient operation.
- Inverter-driven technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems 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 to fix. Installing electrical surge protection helps reduce the risk of unexpected failures and major HVAC repair after power surge incidents.
HVAC components that are frequently damaged by power surges in Lexington include:
- Control boards:Installing a whole-house surge protector protects your HVAC control board’s main.
- Airconditioner compressors. This component is one of the highest-priced parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace.
- Blower motors.Power surges can damage motors responsible for circulating conditioned air throughout your home.
- Capacitors. Power surges may weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after frequent voltage spikes.
- Heat pumpelectronics. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components which are 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 power strips don’t protect your heating and cooling system. To provide complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers broader coverage and lasting value.
A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is connected at your home’s electrical panel. Unlike devices that protect only one outlet, it can help safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout the house, including your HVAC system.
Benefits of Whole-Home HVAC Surge Protection
Adding 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:
- Lower repair expenses. Reducing surge damage can help reduce expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer HVAC equipmentlife. Sensitive components experience less electrical stress over time when protected correctly.
- Home electronics protection. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-home surge protector also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Added confidence during severe weather. 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 It’s Time to Consider Surge Protection
- Frequent storms. Given the strong summer storms in Lexington, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of electrical surge damage.
- Blackouts or flickering lights. Repeated outages and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of electrical surges.
- Older electrical systems. Old wiring or substandard electrical equipment can raise your home’s surge risk.
- Expensive HVAC equipment. Protecting a high-efficiency heating and cooling system with a surge protector is often more affordable than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Connected home technology. Homes with Wi-Fi thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Why Professional Surge Protection Installation Matters
Whole-home surge protection must be professionally installed to provide reliable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at James Heating & A/C, Inc helps confirm the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to help protect your home HVAC system.
The highly trained professionals at James Heating & A/C, Inc understand the unique electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will help you choose the right surge protector for your air conditioning unit, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment with Whole-Home Surge Protection
Power surges aren’t always obvious, but they can have a significant impact on your heating and cooling equipment. Installing 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 considering 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-home surge protection systems. Our professionals will assess your home’s needs and help you choose a setup to protect your home HVAC. Along with surge protection, we provide all electrical services for the rest of your home.
Learn how surge protection can help safeguard your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 336-853-6070 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is HVAC surge protection a good investment?
Yes. 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, which can help extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can a sudden power spike damage an air conditioner?
Absolutely. A power surge can damage an air conditioning compressor, circuit board and blower motor, resulting in costly repairs. AC surge protection helps protect your air conditioner from electrical fluctuations by reducing the impact of voltage spikes before they reach sensitive HVAC components.
What are the common causes of 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. Another possible cause is problems within your home’s electrical system. Small voltage spikes 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 a home that has frequent storms or utility power fluctuations may require replacement sooner.
Does a homeowners insurance policy cover damage caused by power surges?
It can. 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 a smart way to help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
Does surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
Yes. Power surge protection for HVAC helps safeguard smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from electrical surges. Surge protection may also improve system performance and reduce the risk of extensive repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.
