Many homeowners think power surges occur only during lightning storms. While lightning is definitely one cause, it’s certainly not the only one. Utility grid activity, restoring power after outages and large household appliances cycling can all create power surges 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 sophisticated electronic components. The good news is 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 home power surge is a sudden spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. Although it lasts only a fraction of a second, it still can damage electronic components.
Lightning remains the most well-known cause, but many surges happen 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. Household appliances like refrigerators or HVAC systems can also create small voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. It’s also possible that loose wiring or other home electrical issues lead to surges.
While a single large surge can cause immediate damage, smaller, repeated voltage spikes can slowly wear down HVAC components over time, reducing their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Need More Surge Protection Than Ever
Many of 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, increasing the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
HVAC parts that are especially sensitive to power surges include:
- Circuit boards. They function 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 sensitive to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Connected thermostats contain delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment.
- Electronic communication systems. Today’s HVAC systems rely on electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for efficient operation.
- Inverter technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that work best with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most Vulnerable to Power Surges?
Damage from voltage spikes 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 power surge incidents.
HVAC components that are frequently damaged by power surges in Dundas and Northfield include:
- Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary.
- HVAC 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 used to move conditioned air throughout your home.
- HVAC system capacitors. Power surges may weaken or damage these components, reducing system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after multiple voltage spikes.
- Electronic heat pump components. Modern heat pumps use 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 those devices don’t protect your HVAC system. For complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers broader coverage and long-term value.
A professionally installed whole-home surge protector is connected at your home’s electrical panel. Instead of regulating electricity to only one outlet, the system helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your entire house, including your HVAC system.
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:
- Lower repair expenses. Reducing surge damage can help avoid expensive HVAC repairs.
- Extended HVAC system lifespan. vulnerable technological components experience reduced electrical stress over time when protected correctly.
- Protection for household electronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-home surge protector also helps protect appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Less stress during storms. Surge protection provides added confidence when severe storms strike your area.
- Defense against everyday electrical fluctuations. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs It’s Time to Consider Surge Protection
- Severe weather. Given the powerful summer storms in Dundas and Northfield, lightning protection for your HVAC can help reduce the risk of surge-related damage.
- Power outages or flickering lights. Ongoing power interruptions and electrical fluctuations increase the likelihood of power surges.
- Aging electrical systems. Old wiring or substandard electrical equipment can increase 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 connected thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Why Professional Surge Protection Installation Is Important
Whole-home surge protection must be properly installed to provide consistent protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Better Air helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to safeguard your home HVAC system.
The skilled professionals at Better Air understand the specialized 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
Power surges aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a significant impact on your HVAC equipment. Installing whole-home surge protection is an effective way to help prevent costly 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 suggest a setup to protect your home HVAC. Along with surge protection, we provide all electrical services for the rest of your home.
See how surge protection can help protect your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 507-663-1208 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is HVAC surge protection a good investment?
Absolutely. Installing whole-home surge protection is typically a worthwhile investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. Installing surge protection is typically much lower than repairing or replacing damaged heating and cooling components, helping extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can an electrical surge damage an an air conditioning system?
Absolutely. A power surge can damage your AC unit’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, resulting in major repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from power surges by reducing the impact of voltage spikes before they reach sensitive HVAC components.
What can cause power surges inside 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. Repeated minor power surges can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.
What is the average lifespan of a whole-house surge protector?
A whole-house surge protector usually lasts 5 to 10 years, although its lifespan 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 require replacement sooner.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover power surge repairs?
It can. 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.
Can surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
Absolutely. Power surge protection for HVAC helps protect smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from electrical surges. It also helps improve system performance and reduce the risk of costly repairs to your home’s heating and cooling equipment.