Many homeowners think power surges are limited to lightning storms. Although lightning is one cause, it’s far from 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 damage televisions and computers. They may also cause HVAC electrical damage because modern heating and cooling systems rely on sophisticated electronic components. Fortunately, HVAC surge protection can help shield one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of expensive repairs.
What Is a Power Surge
A home power surge is a sudden spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. While it lasts only a fraction of a second, it 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. Large appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners can also create small voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. It’s also possible that loose wiring or other home electrical issues can cause surges.
Though a single significant surge can cause immediate damage, smaller surges can slowly wear down heating and cooling equipment over time, reducing their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Are More Vulnerable Than Ever
Modern heating and cooling systems use advanced electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. While these features offer many benefits, they can also make equipment more at risk of damage from voltage spikes, highlighting the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
HVAC parts that are especially sensitive to power surges include:
- Control boards. They function as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even very small voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed blower motors. These energy-saving motors rely on electronic controls that are susceptible to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. Connected thermostats contain 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 efficient operation.
- Inverter-driven technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems rely on sophisticated electronics that are better protected with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk?
Damage from voltage spikes can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to repair or replace. 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 Northglenn include:
- Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary.
- 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 used to move conditioned air throughout your home.
- HVAC system capacitors. Electrical surges can weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. A smart thermostat can malfunction after repeated voltage spikes.
- Heat pump control electronics. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components that are particularly vulnerable to surges.
Whole-Home Surge Protection vs. Power Strips
Many people use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but power strips don’t protect your furnace or air conditioner. 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 set up right at your home’s electrical panel. Instead of regulating electricity to only one outlet, the system helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout the house, including your HVAC system.
Benefits of Whole-Home HVAC Surge Protection
Adding whole-home surge protection is an effective way to protect your HVAC investment while helping safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home.
Benefits of whole-house HVAC surge protection include:
- Lower repair expenses. Avoiding surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
- Longer-lasting HVAC equipment. Sensitive components experience reduced electrical stress over time when equipped with surge protection.
- Home electronics protection. In addition to protecting your HVAC, whole-home surge protection 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. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage electronic HVAC equipment.
5 Signs You May Need Surge Protection
- Regular summer storms. Given the powerful summer storms in Northglenn, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of power surge damage.
- Frequent power outages or flickering lights. Ongoing power interruptions and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of power surges.
- Outdated home wiring. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk.
- Expensive HVAC equipment. Protecting a high-efficiency heating and cooling system by installing whole-home surge protection is often less expensive than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Smart home technology. Homes with connected thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Why Professional Surge Protection Installation Matters
Whole-home surge protection must be professionally installed to provide consistent protection. Choosing licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning helps make sure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system.
The experienced professionals at Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning understand the unique electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will recommend the right surge protector for your AC, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment with Whole-Home Surge Protection
Power surges aren’t always obvious, but they can have a significant impact on your heating and cooling equipment. Adding whole-home surge protection is an effective way to help prevent major repairs, extend equipment life and improve the reliability of your HVAC system.
If you’re interested in AC or furnace surge protection, you can count on the team at . Our HVAC services include comprehensive surge protection options, including whole-home surge protection systems. Our professionals will review your home’s needs and help you choose a setup to protect your home HVAC. Beyond surge protection, we offer all electrical services for the rest of your home.
See how surge protection can help protect your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 303-452-4146 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC
Is whole-home surge protection worth it for an HVAC system?
In most cases, yes. Whole-house surge protection is typically a worthwhile 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, helping extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can an electrical surge damage an AC unit?
It can. A power surge can damage an air conditioning compressor, circuit board and blower motor, resulting in expensive repairs. AC surge protection helps protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by shielding the sensitive HVAC components.
What causes power surges throughout a home?
Lightning strikes, utility grid switching and power outages are among the most common causes of power surges in homes. 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?
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 homes that experience many severe storms or utility power fluctuations may need replacement sooner.
Does homeowners insurance cover damage caused by power surges?
It depends. Homeowners insurance can 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 cost-effective way to avoid paying for preventable and expensive HVAC repairs.
Does a surge protector help protect smart thermostats?
Yes. Power surge protection for HVAC helps safeguard smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from damaging voltage spikes. It can also improve system performance and reduce the risk of costly repairs to modern heating and cooling equipment.