Many homeowners think power surges are limited to lightning storms. Although lightning is 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 surges don’t just pose a risk to televisions and computers. They can also cause HVAC electrical damage because modern heating and cooling systems rely on advanced 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 power surge is a short spike in electrical voltage running through your home’s wiring. While it lasts only a fraction of a second, it may damage household electronics, including HVAC equipment.
Lightning remains the most well-known cause, but many surges happen much closer to home. Electric utility providers routinely switch power on the electrical grid, and electrical surges also can happen when electricity is restored after an outage. Household appliances like refrigerators or AC units can also create minor voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. In some cases, loose wiring or other home electrical issues lead to surges.
While a single large surge can cause immediate damage, repeated minor surges can slowly wear down heating and cooling equipment over time, reducing their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Require Better Surge Protection
Many of today’s heating and cooling systems use sophisticated electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Even though hese advanced features offer many benefits, they can make equipment more sensitive to voltage spikes, increasing 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 minimal voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed motors. These advanced motors rely on electronic controls that are sensitive to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Connected thermostats contain delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment.
- HVAC system communication controls. Modern heating and cooling systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for reliable operation.
- Inverter-driven technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems rely on 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 more to repair. Installing electrical surge protection helps minimize the risk of unexpected failures and expensive HVAC repair after electrical surge incidents.
HVAC components that are frequently damaged by power surges in Chelan and Wenatchee include:
- Control boards:The HVAC system’s control board contains essential operating controls, which can be badly damaged by surges.
- Airconditioner compressors. This component is one of the costliest 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.
- HVACcapacitors. Surges can weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. These devices may malfunction after repeated voltage spikes.
- Electronic heat pump components. Heat pump systems depend on 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 these plug-in devices don’t protect your heating and cooling system. For HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers greater coverage and greater long-term value.
A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is located at your home’s electrical panel. Instead of regulating electricity to only one outlet, it can help safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your house, including your HVAC equipment.
Benefits of Whole-Home Surge Protection
Installing 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:
- Lower repair expenses. Reducing surge damage can help avoid expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer HVAC equipmentlife. vulnerable technological components experience reduced electrical stress over time when properly protected.
- Home electronics protection. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-home surge protector also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Less stress during storms. Surge protection provides added confidence when severe weather strikes.
- Defense against everyday electrical fluctuations. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage your HVAC system.
5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection
- Severe weather. Given the frequent summer storms in Chelan and Wenatchee, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of power surge damage.
- Power outages or flickering lights. Frequent outages and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of damaging voltage spikes.
- Older electrical systems. Old wiring or substandard electrical equipment can increase 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 connected thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Why Professional Surge Protection Installation Matters
Whole-house surge protection must be installed correctly to provide dependable protection. Choosing licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Lakeside Heating & Air helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to help protect your home HVAC system.
The skilled professionals at Lakeside Heating & Air understand the specialized 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 from Future Power Surges
Voltage spikes aren’t always obvious, but they can have a major impact on your HVAC equipment. Installing 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 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 review your home’s needs and help you choose a customized solution to protect your home HVAC. In addition to surge protection, we offer all electrical services for the rest of your home.
See how surge protection can help safeguard your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 509-300-1829 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is a whole-house surge protection beneficial for an HVAC system?
In most cases, yes. Whole-home surge protection is often worth the investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. Compared with repair costs, installing surge protection is typically much lower than repairing or replacing damaged heating and cooling components, and it helps 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, leading to 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 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. They can also result from problems within your home’s electrical system. Small voltage spikes 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 that 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 depends. Homeowners insurance can cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and the reason for the surge. Since coverage and deductibles differ, surge protection installation is often a smart way to help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
Will a surge protector help protect smart thermostats?
It can. Power surge protection for HVAC helps protect 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.
