Homeowners often think power surges are limited to 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 damage televisions and computers. They can also cause HVAC electrical damage because current 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 power surge in your home is a sudden spike in electrical voltage running through your home’s wiring. Although it lasts only a fraction of a second, it still can damage home electronics.
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 power can also surge when electricity is restored after an outage. Major appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners can also create brief 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, repeated minor surges can slowly wear down heating and air conditioning systems over time, limiting their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Need More Surge Protection Than Ever
Many of today’s 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.
HVAC parts that are especially sensitive to power surges include:
- Control boards. These act as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even minimal voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed motors. These energy-saving motors rely on electronic controls that are vulnerable to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. A smart thermostat uses delicate electronics that automatically adjust your HVAC equipment.
- Electronic communication systems. Today’s HVAC systems rely on electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for efficient operation.
- Variable-capacity inverter technology. Systems with variable-capacity operation use sophisticated electronics that work best with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk?
Damage from electrical surges can cost hundreds or even more to repair or replace. Installing electrical surge protection helps minimize the risk of unexpected failures and major HVAC repair after voltage spike incidents.
HVAC components most commonly affected by power surges in Shamokin and Sunbury include:
- Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary.
- Airconditioner compressors. The compressor is one of the highest-priced parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace.
- Blower motors.Power surges can damage motors that circulate conditioned air throughout your home.
- Capacitors. Surges can weaken or damage these components, impacting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. A smart thermostat can malfunction after repeated voltage spikes.
- Heat pump control electronics. Heat pump systems depend on multiple electronic components which are vulnerable to surges.
Whole-Home Surge Protection vs. Power Strips
Many homeowners use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but these plug-in devices don’t protect your HVAC system. To provide complete 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. Unlike devices that protect only one outlet, it helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout the house, including your HVAC system.
Benefits of Whole-Home Surge Protection
Installing 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-house HVAC surge protection include:
- Fewer repair costs. Reducing surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
- Extended HVAC system lifespan. Sensitive components experience reduced electrical stress over time when equipped with surge protection.
- Protection for household electronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-house surge protector also shields appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Greater peace of mind duringstorms. You’ll have added confidence when severe weather strikes.
- Protectionagainst everyday electrical fluctuations. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage electronic HVAC equipment.
5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection
- Frequent storms. Given the powerful summer storms in Shamokin and Sunbury, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of surge-related damage.
- Power outages or flickering lights. Ongoing power interruptions and electrical fluctuations increase the likelihood of electrical surges.
- Older electrical systems. Old wiring or outdated electrical equipment can raise your home’s surge risk.
- High-efficiency HVAC equipment. Shielding 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 Wi-Fi thermostats and other connected devices have even more sensitive electronics to protect.
Professional Surge Protection Installation Is Important
Whole-house surge protection must be professionally installed to provide dependable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to help protect your home HVAC system.
The highly trained professionals at LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. understand the unique electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will help you choose the right surge protector for your air conditioning unit, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment with Whole-Home Surge Protection
Electrical surges aren’t always obvious, but they can have a significant impact on your heating and cooling system. Adding whole-home surge protection is a smart way to help prevent major 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-house surge protectors. Our professionals will assess your home’s needs and suggest a customized solution to protect your home HVAC. In addition to 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 570-648-0748 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC
Is HVAC surge protection a good investment?
Yes. 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 heating and cooling components, and it helps extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can a sudden power spike damage an AC unit?
Absolutely. A power surge can damage an air conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause expensive repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by preventing the surges from reaching sensitive HVAC components.
What are the common causes of power surges throughout a home?
The most common sources of power surges include 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. Small voltage spikes can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.
What is the average lifespan of a whole-house surge protector?
A typical whole-home surge protector lasts about 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 power surge damage?
In some cases, but not all. Homeowners insurance sometimes cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and the reason for 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 can also improve system lifespan and reduce the risk of costly repairs to modern heating and cooling equipment.