Homeowners often think power surges only happen during lightning storms. Although lightning is 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. These surges can cause HVAC electrical damage because current heating and cooling systems rely on sophisticated electronic components. Thankfully, HVAC surge protection can help safeguard one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of expensive repairs.
What Is a Power Surge
A home power surge is a brief 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. Electric utility providers routinely switch power on the electrical grid, and voltage can also spike when electricity is restored after an outage. Large appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners can also create brief voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. It’s also possible that loose wiring or other home electrical issues can cause surges.
Though a single significant surge can cause immediate damage, smaller surges can slowly wear down heating and cooling equipment over time, shortening their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Are More Vulnerable Than Ever
Many of today’s 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 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:
- Control boards. They function as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even brief or small voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed motors. These energy-saving motors rely on electronic controls that are vulnerable to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. A smart thermostat uses delicate electronics that communicate with your HVAC equipment.
- Electronic communication systems. Many newer heating and air conditioning systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for efficient operation.
- Inverter technology. Systems with variable-capacity operation use sophisticated electronics that benefit from surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most Vulnerable to Power Surges?
Damage from voltage spikes can cost hundreds or even more to repair or replace. Installing electrical 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 Chadron include:
- Control boards:The HVAC system’s control board contains essential operating controls, which can be badly damaged by surges.
- Airconditioner compressors. An HVAC compressor 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.
- Capacitors. Surges can weaken or damage these components, impacting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after multiple voltage spikes.
- Heat pumpelectronics. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components that can be 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 heating and cooling system. To provide complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers more comprehensive coverage and lasting value.
A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is located at your home’s electrical panel. Rather than protecting only one outlet, it can help safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your house, including your heating and cooling equipment.
Benefits of Whole-Home 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-house HVAC surge protection include:
- Lower repair expenses. Preventing surge damage can help reduce expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer-lasting HVAC equipment. vulnerable technological 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 helps protect appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Added confidence during severe weather. Homeowners gain added confidence when weather-related power outages occur.
- Protection from everyday electrical fluctuations. Minor electrical surges can gradually damage your HVAC system.
5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection
- Regular summer storms. Given the strong summer storms in Chadron, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of electrical surge damage.
- Power outages or flickering lights. Ongoing power interruptions and electrical fluctuations increase the likelihood of power surges.
- Older electrical systems. Old wiring or outdated electrical equipment can raise your home’s surge risk.
- High-efficiency HVAC 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 even more sensitive electronics to protect.
Professional Surge Protection Installation Matters
Home HVAC surge protection must be properly installed to provide dependable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at MPC Heating & Cooling helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to safeguard your home HVAC system.
The skilled professionals at MPC Heating & Cooling understand the specialized 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 HVAC system. Adding 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 interested in AC or furnace surge protection, you can count on the team at . Our HVAC services include a variety of surge protection options, including whole-home surge protection systems. Our professionals will review your home’s needs and help you choose a setup to protect your home HVAC. Along with surge protection, we offer all electrical services for the rest of your home.
See how surge protection can help protect your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 308-470-5613 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC
Is whole-home surge protection worth it for an HVAC system?
In most cases, yes. Whole-home 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 HVAC components, helping extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can a sudden power spike damage an AC unit?
Yes. A power surge can damage an air conditioning compressor, circuit board and blower motor, resulting in expensive repairs. A surge protector for your AC helps protect your air conditioner from power surges by shielding the sensitive HVAC components.
What are the common causes of power surges throughout a home?
Lightning strikes, utility grid switching and power outages are among the most common causes of power surges in homes. Another possible cause is problems within your home’s electrical system. Even small, repeated surges can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.
How long does whole-home surge protection last?
Most whole-home surge protectors last 5 to 10 years, although actual service life 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 need replacement sooner.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover damage caused by power surges?
It can. Homeowners insurance may cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the surge. Because deductibles and coverage vary, surge protection installation is often cost-effective way to help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
Will 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 lifespan and reduce the risk of expensive repairs to modern heating and cooling equipment.