Many homeowners think power surges are limited to 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 voltage spikes inside your home.
These electric voltage spikes don’t just threaten televisions and computers. These surges can cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s heating and cooling systems rely on advanced electronic components. Fortunately, HVAC surge protection can help safeguard one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of costly repairs.
What Are Power Surges
A power surge in your home is a short spike in electrical voltage running through your home’s wiring. Even though it lasts only a fraction of a second, it still can damage home electronics.
Many people know lightning is the most well-known cause, but many surges happen much closer to home. Power companies frequently adjust 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 minor voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. In some cases, loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges.
Though a single significant surge can cause immediate damage, repeated minor surges can slowly wear down HVAC components over time, limiting their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Need More Surge Protection Than Ever
Today’s heating and cooling systems use advanced electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Even though hese advanced features offer many benefits, they also make equipment more at risk of damage from voltage spikes, increasing the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
Some of the most at-risk HVAC components to power surges include:
- Control 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. Connected thermostats contain delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment.
- HVAC system communication controls. Today’s HVAC systems rely on electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for reliable operation.
- Variable-capacity inverter technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems rely on sophisticated electronics that work best with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most Vulnerable to Power Surges?
Damage from power surges can cost hundreds or even thousands to repair or replace. Installing whole-house surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after voltage spike incidents.
HVAC components that are frequently damaged by power surges in Harmony include:
- Control boards:The HVAC system’s control board contains essential operating controls, which can be badly damaged by surges.
- Compressors. This component is one of the most expensive parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace.
- Blower motors.Power surges can damage motors used to move conditioned air throughout your home.
- HVACcapacitors. Power surges may weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after repeated voltage spikes.
- Heat pumpelectronics. Modern heat pumps use multiple electronic components which are vulnerable to surges.
Which is Better for My Home: Whole-Home Surge Protection or Power Strips?
Many people use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but power strips don’t protect your furnace or air conditioner. For complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers greater coverage and greater long-term value.
A professionally installed whole-home 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 Surge Protection
Using whole-home surge protection is a proactive 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:
- Reduced repaircosts. Avoiding surge damage can help avoid expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer-lasting HVAC equipment. vulnerable technological components experience lower electrical stress over time when protected correctly.
- Protection of homeelectronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, whole-home surge protection also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Less stress during storms. Surge protection provides added confidence when weather-related power outages occur.
- Protection from everyday electrical fluctuations. Small voltage spikes can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs You May Need Surge Protection
- Regular summer storms. Given the powerful summer storms in Harmony, lightning protection for your HVAC can help reduce the risk of power surge damage.
- Power outages or flickering lights. Frequent outages and changing voltage levels increase the likelihood of electrical surges.
- Outdated home wiring. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk.
- Modern heating and cooling equipment. Protecting 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 additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Why Professional Surge Protection Installation Matters
Home HVAC surge protection must be professionally installed to provide reliable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Knoechel Heating helps confirm the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to safeguard your home HVAC system.
The highly trained professionals at Knoechel Heating understand the specific electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will help you choose the right surge protector for your air conditioner, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment with Whole-Home Surge Protection
Electrical surges aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a significant impact on your heating and cooling equipment. Investing in whole-home surge protection is a smart way to help prevent expensive 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 wide variety of surge protection options, including whole-home protection. Our professionals will review your home’s needs and recommend a setup to protect your home HVAC. Beyond surge protection, we offer all electrical services for the rest of your home.
Learn how surge protection can help protect your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 724-806-1195 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC
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 heating and cooling components, which can help extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can an electrical surge damage an an air conditioning system?
It can. A power surge can damage your AC unit’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, resulting in costly repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical fluctuations by preventing the surges from reaching sensitive HVAC components.
What can cause 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. Another possible cause is 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 whole-house surge protector usually lasts 5 to 10 years, although actual service life depends on the number and severity of the surges it absorbs. Surge protector systems in properties that experience frequent 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 the reason for the surge. With policy limits and deductibles varying, surge protection installation is often a smart way to protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.
Does whole-home surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
Yes. Power surge protection for HVAC helps shield smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from power surges. Surge protection may also improve system lifespan and reduce the risk of extensive repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.