Many homeowners think power surges only happen during 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 electrical surges inside your home.
These electrical surges don’t just damage televisions and computers. These surges can cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s 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 in your home is a brief 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.
Lightning is the most well-known cause, but power surges often occur much closer to home. Power companies frequently adjust power on the electrical grid, and electrical surges also can happen when electricity is restored after an outage. Large appliances like refrigerators or HVAC systems can also create small voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. In some cases, loose wiring or other home electrical issues lead to surges.
Though a single significant surge can cause immediate damage, smaller, repeated voltage spikes can slowly wear down heating and cooling equipment over time, reducing their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Are More Vulnerable Than Ever
Many of today’s heating and cooling systems use sophisticated electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Although these technologies offer many benefits, they also make equipment more sensitive to voltage spikes, highlighting the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
Some of the most vulnerable components to power surges include:
- Electronic circuit 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. Smart home devices are made with 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. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that work best with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Need the Most Protection?
Damage from electrical surges can cost hundreds or even more to repair or replace. Installing electrical surge protection helps reduce the risk of unexpected failures and expensive HVAC repair after voltage spike incidents.
HVAC components that are frequently damaged by power surges in Myrtle Beach include:
- Control boards:Installing a whole-house surge protector protects your HVAC control board’s main.
- HVAC compressors. The compressor is one of the highest-priced parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace.
- Blower motors.Electrical surges can damage motors that circulate conditioned air throughout your home.
- HVACcapacitors. Electrical surges can weaken or damage these components, affecting system startup and performance.
- Smartthermostats. A smart thermostat can malfunction after repeated voltage spikes.
- Heat pumpelectronics. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components that are particularly vulnerable to surges.
Comparing Whole-Home Surge Protection to Power Strips
Homeowners commonly use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but those devices don’t protect your HVAC system. For complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers broader 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 can help safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout the house, including your HVAC equipment.
Benefits of Whole-Home HVAC Surge Protection
Using whole-home surge protection is a smart way to protect your HVAC investment while also helping safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home.
Benefits of whole-house HVAC surge protection include:
- Lower repair expenses. Reducing surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
- Extended HVAC system lifespan. vulnerable technological components experience reduced electrical stress over time when properly protected.
- Protection for household electronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, whole-home surge protection also shields appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Greater peace of mind duringstorms. Surge protection provides added confidence when severe weather strikes.
- Protection from everyday electrical fluctuations. Small voltage spikes can gradually damage electronic HVAC equipment.
5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection
- Frequent storms. Given the strong summer storms in Myrtle Beach, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of electrical surge damage.
- Power outages or flickering lights. Ongoing power interruptions and electrical fluctuations increase the likelihood of electrical surges.
- Aging 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 by installing whole-home surge protection is often far less costly than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Smart home devices. Homes with smart thermostats and other connected devices have even more sensitive electronics to protect.
Professional Surge Protection Installation Makes a Difference
Whole-house surge protection must be installed correctly to provide consistent protection. Choosing licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Polar Air & Mechanical helps confirm the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system.
The highly trained professionals at Polar Air & Mechanical understand the unique electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will identify the right surge protector for your AC, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment from Future Power Surges
Power 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 costly repairs, extend equipment life and improve the reliability of your HVAC system.
If you’re ready to learn more about 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 assess your home’s needs and recommend a customized solution to protect your home HVAC. In addition to surge protection, we offer all electrical services for the rest of your home.
Find out how surge protection can help protect your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 843-484-3783 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC
Is a whole-house surge protection beneficial for an HVAC system?
Absolutely. Installing 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, helping extend the life of your home comfort system.
Can an electrical surge damage an an air conditioning system?
It can. A power surge can damage an air conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, leading to expensive repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by shielding the sensitive HVAC components.
What are the common causes of power surges throughout a home?
Lightning strikes, utility grid switching and power outages are among the most common causes of power surges in homes. Another possible cause is 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?
A whole-house surge protector usually lasts 5 to 10 years, although its lifespan 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 a homeowners insurance policy cover power surge damage?
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 cost-effective way to help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.
Does surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
Yes. Power surge protection for HVAC helps shield smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from power surges. It also helps improve system longevity and reduce the risk of expensive repairs to modern heating and cooling equipment.
