Homeowners often think power surges are limited to lightning storms. While lightning is one cause, it’s far from 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 threaten televisions and computers. These surges can cause HVAC electrical damage because modern heating and cooling systems rely on sophisticated electronic components. The good news is HVAC surge protection can help shield 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 brief spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. While it lasts only a fraction of a second, it may damage household electronics, including HVAC equipment.
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 electrical surges also can happen when electricity is restored after an outage. Household appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners can also create small voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. In some cases, loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges.
Although one major power surge can cause immediate damage, smaller, repeated voltage spikes can slowly wear down heating and air conditioning systems over time, shortening their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Are More Vulnerable Than Ever
Modern heating and cooling systems use advanced electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Although these technologies offer many benefits, they can make equipment more sensitive to voltage spikes, increasing the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
Some of the most at-risk HVAC components to power surges include:
- Control boards. They serve as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even very small voltage spikes.
- Energy-efficient variable-speed motors. These energy-saving 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 efficient operation.
- Inverter-driven technology. Systems with variable-capacity operation use sophisticated electronics that are better protected with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk?
Damage from electrical surges can cost hundreds or even thousands to fix. Installing whole-home surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after electrical surge incidents.
HVAC components most commonly affected by power surges in Frederick include:
- Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary.
- HVAC compressors. The compressor 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.
- HVACcapacitors. Surges can weaken or damage these components, reducing system startup and performance.
- Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after repeated voltage spikes.
- Heat pump control electronics. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components which are 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. To provide complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers broader coverage and lasting value.
A professionally installed whole-home surge protector is located at your home’s electrical panel. Rather than protecting only one outlet, it helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout the house, including your heating and cooling equipment.
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:
- Fewer repair costs. Avoiding surge damage can help reduce expensive HVAC repairs.
- Extended HVAC system lifespan. Sensitive components experience less electrical stress over time when properly protected.
- Protection of homeelectronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-house surge protector also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Added confidence during severe weather. Surge protection provides added confidence when weather-related power outages occur.
- Defense against everyday electrical fluctuations. Small voltage spikes can gradually damage electronic HVAC equipment.
5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection
- Severe weather. Given the powerful summer storms in Frederick, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of surge-related damage.
- Frequent power outages or flickering lights. Ongoing power interruptions and changing voltage levels increase the likelihood of power surges.
- Outdated home wiring. Old wiring or substandard electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk.
- Expensive 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 Wi-Fi thermostats and other connected devices have more sensitive electronics to protect.
Professional Surge Protection Installation Matters
Whole-home surge protection must be professionally installed to provide reliable protection. Choosing licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at America's Green Heating & Air Conditioning helps confirm the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system.
The skilled professionals at America's Green Heating & Air Conditioning 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 major impact on your HVAC equipment. Installing whole-home surge protection is a proactive way to help prevent expensive repairs, extend equipment life and improve the reliability of your HVAC system.
If you’re interested in 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 recommend a setup to protect your home HVAC. Along with surge protection, we offer all electrical services for the rest of your home.
Find out how surge protection can help safeguard your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 301-208-0800 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is whole-home surge protection worth it for an HVAC system?
In most cases, yes. Whole-house surge protection is typically a worthwhile investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. The cost of installing surge protection is typically much lower than repairing or replacing damaged furnace or air conditioner components, which can help extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can a sudden power spike damage an air conditioner?
It can. A power surge can damage an air conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause major repairs. AC surge protection helps protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by reducing the impact of voltage spikes before they reach sensitive HVAC components.
What are the common causes of power surges in a home?
The most common sources of power surges include lightning strikes, utility grid switching, power outages, power restoration and large appliances cycling on and off. They can also result from problems within your home’s electrical system. Even small, repeated surges 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 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 the reason for the surge. Because deductibles and coverage vary, surge protection installation is often a smart way to protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.
Does a surge protector help protect smart thermostats?
It can. Power surge protection for HVAC helps protect smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from damaging voltage spikes. Surge protection may also improve system lifespan and reduce the risk of costly repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.
