Homeowners often think power surges are limited to lightning storms. While lightning is definitely one cause, it’s far from the only one. Utility grid activity, restoring power after outages and large household appliances cycling can all create voltage spikes inside your home.
These surges don’t just threaten televisions and computers. They may also cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s heating and cooling systems rely on sophisticated electronic components. Thankfully, HVAC surge protection can help shield one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of costly repairs.
What Are Power Surges
A home power surge is a brief spike in electrical voltage in your home’s wiring. Even though it lasts only a fraction of a second, it still can damage household electronics, including HVAC equipment.
Lightning remains the most well-known cause, but power surges often occur 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. Household appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners can also create minor voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. Sometimes, loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges.
While a single large surge can cause immediate damage, smaller, repeated voltage spikes can slowly wear down heating and cooling equipment over time, shortening their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Need More Surge Protection Than Ever
Modern heating and cooling systems use advanced electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. While these features offer many benefits, they also make equipment more sensitive to voltage spikes, highlighting 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 very small voltage spikes.
- 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 automatically adjust your HVAC equipment.
- Communication systems. Many newer heating and air conditioning systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for energy-efficient operation.
- Inverter technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that benefit from surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Need the Most Protection?
Damage from power surges can cost hundreds or even thousands to repair. Installing electrical surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and major HVAC repair after power surge incidents.
HVAC components most vulnerable to power surges in Marshalltown include:
- Control boards:The HVAC system’s control board contains essential operating controls, which can be badly damaged by surges.
- Compressors. An HVAC compressor is one of the highest-priced 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.
- HVAC system capacitors. Surges can weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after repeated voltage spikes.
- Electronic heat pump components. Modern heat pumps use multiple electronic components that can be vulnerable to surges.
Comparing Whole-Home Surge Protection to Power Strips
Many people use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but these plug-in devices don’t protect your heating and cooling system. To provide complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers broader 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, the system helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your house, including your HVAC equipment.
Benefits of Whole-Home HVAC Surge Protection
Adding 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:
- Reduced repaircosts. Reducing surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer-lasting HVAC equipment. Sensitive components experience less electrical stress over time when equipped with surge protection.
- Protection for household electronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-home surge protector also shields appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Added confidence during severe weather. Surge protection provides added confidence when severe storms strike your area.
- Protectionagainst everyday electrical fluctuations. Small voltage spikes can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection
- Frequent storms. Given the strong summer storms in Marshalltown, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of power surge damage.
- Frequent power outages or flickering lights. Frequent outages and electrical fluctuations increase the likelihood of damaging voltage spikes.
- Older 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 with a surge protector is often more affordable than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Smart home devices. Homes with connected thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Professional Surge Protection Installation Matters
Whole-house surge protection must be installed correctly to provide reliable protection. Choosing licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at B & G HVAC helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to safeguard your home HVAC system.
The highly trained professionals at B & G HVAC understand the specialized 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 Before the Next Power Surge
Voltage spikes aren’t always obvious, but they can have a major impact on your HVAC equipment. Investing in whole-home surge protection is a proactive way to help prevent expensive 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 wide variety of surge protection options, including whole-house surge protectors. Our professionals will evaluate your home’s needs and suggest a customized solution 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 safeguard your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 641-649-4649 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is whole-home surge protection worth it for an HVAC system?
Yes. Whole-house surge protection is often worth the investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. The cost of installing surge protection is typically much lower than repairing or replacing damaged furnace or air conditioner components, which can help extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can a sudden power spike damage an an air conditioning system?
It can. A power surge can damage your AC unit’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause major repairs. AC surge protection helps protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by preventing the surges from reaching sensitive HVAC components.
What are the common causes of 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. Another possible cause is problems within your home’s electrical system. Even small, repeated surges can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.
What is the average lifespan of a whole-house surge protector?
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 homes that experience many severe storms or utility power fluctuations may require replacement sooner.
Does a homeowners insurance policy cover damage caused by power surges?
In some cases, but not all. Homeowners insurance may cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and what caused the surge. Since coverage and deductibles differ, surge protection installation is often a smart way to protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.
Does surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
It can. Power surge protection for HVAC helps safeguard smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from power surges. It can also improve system longevity and reduce the risk of extensive repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.
