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 electrical surges inside your home.
These electrical surges don’t just damage televisions and computers. They may also cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s heating and cooling systems rely on highly sensitive 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 home power surge is a sudden spike in electrical voltage running through your home’s wiring. Even though it lasts only a fraction of a second, it can damage household electronics, including HVAC equipment.
Many people know 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 power can also surge 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. Sometimes, loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges.
Though a single significant surge can cause immediate damage, smaller, repeated voltage spikes can slowly wear down HVAC components over time, limiting their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Require Better Surge Protection
Modern heating and cooling systems use sophisticated electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Although these technologies offer many benefits, they can make equipment more vulnerable to damage from voltage spikes, increasing the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
HVAC parts that are especially sensitive to power surges include:
- Circuit boards. These act as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even very small voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed blower motors. Variable speed motors rely on electronic controls that are sensitive to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Smart home devices are made with 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 energy-efficient operation.
- Inverter-driven technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that are better protected with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most Vulnerable to Power Surges?
Damage from voltage spikes can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to fix. Installing whole-home surge protection helps minimize the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after electrical surge incidents.
HVAC components that are frequently damaged by power surges in Crestview include:
- Control boards:The HVAC system’s control board contains essential operating controls, which can be badly damaged by surges.
- Airconditioner compressors. The compressor is one of the most expensive parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace.
- Blower motors.Electrical surges can damage motors that circulate conditioned air throughout your home.
- Capacitors. Surges can weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. A smart thermostat can malfunction after frequent voltage spikes.
- Electronic heat pump components. Modern heat pumps use multiple electronic components that are particularly vulnerable to surges.
Comparing Whole-Home Surge Protection to Power Strips
Homeowners commonly use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but power strips don’t protect your heating and cooling system. For complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers more comprehensive 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 your house, including your heating and cooling equipment.
Benefits of Whole-Home Surge Protection
Using whole-home surge protection is a smart way to protect your HVAC investment while also helping safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home.
Benefits of whole-house HVAC surge protection include:
- Reduced repaircosts. Avoiding surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer HVAC equipmentlife. Sensitive components experience lower electrical stress over time when properly protected.
- Home electronics protection. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-house surge protector also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Greater peace of mind duringstorms. Surge protection provides added confidence when severe storms strike your area.
- Protection from everyday electrical fluctuations. Minor electrical surges can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs It’s Time to Consider Surge Protection
- Severe weather. Given the powerful summer storms in Crestview, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of electrical surge damage.
- Power outages or flickering lights. Repeated outages and changing voltage levels increase the likelihood of power surges.
- Aging electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can raise your home’s surge risk.
- High-efficiency HVAC equipment. Safeguarding a high-efficiency heating and cooling system by installing whole-home surge protection is often far less costly than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Smart home technology. Homes with smart thermostats and other connected devices have even more sensitive electronics to protect.
Expert Surge Protection Installation Makes a Difference
Whole-home surge protection must be installed correctly to provide reliable protection. Working with licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Gordon AC helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to help protect your home HVAC system.
The experienced professionals at Gordon AC understand the specific electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will recommend the right surge protector for your air conditioning unit, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment with Whole-Home Surge Protection
Voltage spikes aren’t always obvious, but they can have a significant impact on your heating and cooling system. Investing in 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 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-home surge protection systems. Our professionals will evaluate your home’s needs and recommend a setup to protect your home HVAC. Along with surge protection, we provide 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 850-359-8755 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is whole-home surge protection worth it for an HVAC system?
Absolutely. Installing whole-home surge protection is often a smart investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. Compared with repair costs, installing surge protection is typically much lower than repairing or replacing damaged furnace or air conditioner components, helping extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can an electrical surge damage an AC unit?
Yes. A power surge can damage your AC unit’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause expensive repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical fluctuations by preventing the surges from reaching sensitive HVAC components.
What causes power surges in a home?
Power surges are most commonly caused by 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 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 homes that experience many severe storms or utility power fluctuations may require replacement sooner.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover power surge damage?
It can. Homeowners insurance can cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the surge. Since coverage and deductibles differ, surge protection installation is often a smart way to protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.
Will a surge protector help protect smart thermostats?
Absolutely. Power surge protection for HVAC helps protect smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from power surges. It also helps improve system reliability and reduce the risk of extensive repairs to modern heating and cooling equipment.