Many homeowners think power surges only happen during lightning storms. While 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 electric voltage spikes don’t just threaten televisions and computers. They may also cause HVAC electrical damage because current heating and cooling systems rely on highly sensitive electronic components. Thankfully, HVAC surge protection can help shield one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of expensive repairs.
What Are Power Surges
A home power surge is a brief spike in electrical voltage running 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 power surges often occur much closer to home. Utility companies regularly switch power on the electrical grid, and electrical surges also can happen when electricity is restored after an outage. Major appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners can also create small voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. It’s also possible that loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges.
While a single large surge can cause immediate damage, smaller surges can slowly wear down heating and cooling equipment over time, shortening their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Need More Surge Protection Than Ever
Today’s heating and cooling systems use sophisticated electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. While these features offer many benefits, they can also make equipment more at risk of damage from voltage spikes, highlighting the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
Some of the most at-risk HVAC components to power surges include:
- Circuit boards. These act as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even minimal voltage spikes.
- Energy-efficient variable-speed motors. Variable speed 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.
- Communication systems. Many newer heating and air conditioning systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for energy-efficient operation.
- Variable-capacity inverter technology. Systems with variable-capacity operation use sophisticated electronics that work best with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Need the Most Protection?
Damage from power surges can cost hundreds or even more to repair. Installing whole-home surge protection helps reduce the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after power surge incidents.
HVAC components most vulnerable to power surges in Payson include:
- Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary.
- Compressors. This component is one of the costliest 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.
- HVAC system capacitors. Surges can weaken or damage these components, impacting system startup and performance.
- Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after frequent voltage spikes.
- Electronic heat pump components. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components that are particularly vulnerable to surges.
Which is Better for My Home: Whole-Home Surge Protection or Power Strips?
Homeowners commonly use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but these plug-in devices don’t protect your HVAC system. For complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers broader coverage and lasting value.
A professionally installed whole-home surge protector is connected at your home’s electrical panel. Unlike devices that protect 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
Installing whole-home surge protection is a smart way to protect your HVAC investment while also working to safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home.
Benefits of whole-home HVAC surge protection include:
- Fewer repair costs. Preventing surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer-lasting HVAC equipment. Electronic HVAC components experience lower electrical stress over time when equipped with surge protection.
- Home electronics protection. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-house surge protector also shields appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Greater peace of mind duringstorms. You’ll have added confidence when severe storms strike your area.
- Defense against everyday electrical fluctuations. Minor electrical surges can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs It’s Time to Consider Surge Protection
- Regular summer storms. Given the frequent summer storms in Payson, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of power surge damage.
- Power outages or flickering lights. Repeated outages and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of electrical surges.
- Aging electrical systems. Old wiring or outdated 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 less expensive than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Smart home devices. Homes with Wi-Fi thermostats and other connected devices have even more sensitive electronics to protect.
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 North Mechanical Heating and Cooling helps make sure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system.
The experienced professionals at North Mechanical Heating and Cooling understand the unique electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will help you choose the right surge protector for your AC, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment with Whole-Home Surge Protection
Electrical surges aren’t always obvious, but they can have a big impact on your heating and cooling equipment. Adding whole-home surge protection is an effective 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 variety of surge protection options, including whole-house surge protectors. Our professionals will assess your home’s needs and suggest a customized solution to protect your home HVAC. In addition to surge protection, we offer 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 928-263-6494 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is a whole-house surge protection beneficial for an HVAC system?
Absolutely. Whole-house 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, which can help extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can a power surge damage an an air conditioning system?
Absolutely. A power surge can damage an air conditioning compressor, circuit board and blower motor, leading to costly repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by preventing the surges from reaching sensitive HVAC components.
What causes power surges inside 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. 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 actual service life 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 need replacement sooner.
Does a homeowners insurance policy 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 cost-effective way to help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
Will surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
Absolutely. Power surge protection for HVAC helps shield smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from electrical surges. It can also improve system reliability and reduce the risk of costly repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.
