Many homeowners think power surges are limited to lightning storms. While 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 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 shield one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of major repairs.
What Are Power Surges
A home power surge is a brief spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. While it lasts only a fraction of a second, it may damage household electronics, including HVAC equipment.
Many people know lightning is 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 AC units can also create small voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. Sometimes, loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges.
Although one major power surge can cause immediate damage, repeated minor surges can slowly wear down HVAC components over time, limiting their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Require Better Surge Protection
Today’s heating and cooling systems use advanced electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Although these technologies offer many benefits, they also make equipment more vulnerable to damage from voltage spikes, increasing the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
Some of the most at-risk HVAC components to power surges include:
- Electronic circuit boards. These act as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even brief or small voltage spikes.
- Energy-efficient variable-speed motors. These advanced motors rely on electronic controls that are susceptible to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Connected thermostats contain delicate electronics that automatically adjust your HVAC equipment.
- Communication systems. Modern heating and cooling systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for energy-efficient operation.
- Variable-capacity inverter technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that work best with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk?
Damage from power surges can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to repair. Installing electrical surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after power surge incidents.
HVAC components most vulnerable to power surges in Siloam Springs include:
- Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary.
- HVAC compressors. This component 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. Electrical surges can weaken or damage these components, reducing system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. A smart thermostat can malfunction after frequent voltage spikes.
- Heat pumpelectronics. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components which are 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. For HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers more comprehensive coverage and lasting value.
A professionally installed whole-home surge protector is set up right 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-House Surge Protection
Using whole-home surge protection is a proactive way to protect your HVAC investment while also helping safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home.
Benefits of whole-home HVAC surge protection include:
- Reduced repaircosts. Reducing surge damage can help avoid expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer-lasting HVAC equipment. vulnerable technological components experience less electrical stress over time when equipped with surge protection.
- Home electronics protection. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-home surge protector also shields appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Added confidence during severe weather. Homeowners gain added confidence when severe weather strikes.
- Defense against everyday electrical fluctuations. Small voltage spikes can gradually damage electronic HVAC equipment.
5 Signs You May Need Surge Protection
- Regular summer storms. Given the strong summer storms in Siloam Springs, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of surge-related damage.
- Blackouts or flickering lights. Repeated outages and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of power surges.
- Older electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can raise your home’s surge risk.
- Expensive 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 smart thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Expert Surge Protection Installation Is Important
Home HVAC surge protection must be professionally installed to provide reliable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Siloam Springs Heating & AC helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to help protect your home HVAC system.
The highly trained professionals at Siloam Springs Heating & AC understand the specific electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will identify the right surge protector for your air conditioning unit, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment from Future Power Surges
Voltage spikes aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a significant impact on your heating and cooling system. 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 assess your home’s needs and help you choose 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 safeguard your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 479-448-2261 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection
Is a whole-house surge protection beneficial for an HVAC system?
Absolutely. Installing whole-home surge protection is often a smart investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. Installing surge protection is typically much lower than repairing or replacing damaged HVAC components, which can help extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can an electrical surge damage an air conditioner?
Absolutely. A power surge can damage an air conditioning compressor, circuit board and blower motor, resulting in expensive repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by shielding the sensitive HVAC components.
What causes power surges throughout 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?
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 a home that has frequent storms or utility power fluctuations may require replacement sooner.
Does homeowners insurance cover damage caused by power surges?
It depends. Homeowners insurance sometimes cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and what caused the surge. Because deductibles and coverage vary, surge protection installation is often cost-effective way to protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.
Will whole-home surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
Yes. Power surge protection for HVAC helps shield smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from power surges. Surge protection may also improve system performance and reduce the risk of extensive repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.
