Homeowners often think power surges are limited to lightning storms. While lightning is definitely one cause, it’s certainly not 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 electrical surges don’t just pose a risk to televisions and computers. They may also cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s 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 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 electronic components.
Lightning is the most well-known cause, but many electrical surges begin 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 HVAC systems can also create minor voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. Sometimes, loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges.
Though a single significant surge can cause immediate damage, smaller surges can slowly wear down heating and air conditioning systems over time, reducing their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Need More Surge Protection Than Ever
Today’s heating and cooling systems use high-tech 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, highlighting 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 motors. These energy-saving motors rely on electronic controls that are sensitive to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Connected thermostats contain delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment.
- Electronic communication systems. Modern heating and cooling 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 are better protected with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk?
Damage from power surges can cost hundreds or even thousands to repair. Installing electrical surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and major HVAC repair after power surge incidents.
HVAC components that are frequently damaged by power surges in Fayetteville include:
- Control boards:The HVAC system’s control board contains essential operating controls, which can be badly damaged by surges.
- Compressors. An HVAC compressor is one of the highest-priced parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace.
- Blower motors.Electrical surges can damage motors responsible for circulating conditioned air throughout your home.
- HVAC system capacitors. Surges can weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after multiple voltage spikes.
- Heat pump control electronics. Modern heat pumps use multiple electronic components that can be vulnerable to surges.
Comparing Whole-Home Surge Protection to Power Strips
Homeowners commonly 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 greater coverage and lasting value.
A professionally installed whole-home surge protector is set up right at your home’s electrical panel. Rather than protecting only one outlet, it helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your house, including your HVAC system.
Benefits of Whole-House Surge Protection
Adding whole-home surge protection is a smart way to protect your HVAC investment while helping safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home.
Benefits of whole-home HVAC surge protection include:
- Fewer repair costs. Reducing surge damage can help reduce expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer-lasting HVAC equipment. Electronic HVAC components experience lower electrical stress over time when equipped with surge protection.
- Protection of homeelectronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-home surge protector also shields appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Greater peace of mind duringstorms. Homeowners gain added confidence when severe weather strikes.
- Protectionagainst everyday electrical fluctuations. Small voltage spikes can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs You May Need Surge Protection
- Frequent storms. Given the powerful summer storms in Fayetteville, lightning protection for your HVAC can help reduce the risk of surge-related damage.
- Power outages or flickering lights. Repeated outages and electrical fluctuations increase the likelihood of damaging voltage spikes.
- Older electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk.
- Modern heating and cooling equipment. Safeguarding 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 Wi-Fi thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Why Professional Surge Protection Installation Is Important
Whole-home surge protection must be professionally installed to provide consistent protection. Working with licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Blackwell Heating & AC helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system.
The experienced professionals at Blackwell Heating & AC understand the unique electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will identify the right surge protector for your AC, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment from Future Power Surges
Electrical surges aren’t always obvious, but they can have a significant impact on your HVAC equipment. Installing whole-home surge protection is a smart way to help prevent costly 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 comprehensive surge protection options, including whole-house surge protectors. Our professionals will review your home’s needs and suggest 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 910-483-4696 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC
Is HVAC surge protection a good investment?
Yes. Whole-house surge protection is often a smart 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 conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause costly repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical fluctuations by preventing the surges from reaching sensitive HVAC components.
What causes power surges throughout a home?
Lightning strikes, utility grid switching and power outages are among the most common causes of power surges in homes. They can also result from problems within your home’s electrical system. Repeated minor power surges can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.
How long does a whole-home surge protector last?
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 cost-effective way to avoid paying for preventable and expensive HVAC repairs.
Does surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
It can. Power surge protection for HVAC helps protect smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from power surges. It also helps improve system reliability and reduce the risk of expensive repairs to your home’s heating and cooling equipment.
