Many homeowners think power surges only happen during lightning storms. While lightning is one cause, it’s far from the only one. Utility switching, power outages/restoration and even large appliances cycling on and off can all create electrical surges inside your home. 

These 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 highly sensitive electronic components. Fortunately, 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 home power surge is a brief spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. Although it lasts only a fraction of a second, it can damage home electronics. 

Lightning is the most well-known cause, but many surges happen much closer to home. Power companies frequently adjust power on the electrical grid, and voltage can also spike when electricity is restored after an outage. Household appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners can also create minor voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. It’s also possible that loose wiring or other home electrical issues can cause surges. 

Although one major power surge can cause immediate damage, smaller surges can slowly wear down heating and cooling equipment over time, shortening their lifespan. 

Why Modern HVAC Systems Need More Surge Protection Than Ever 

Many of today’s heating and cooling systems use high-tech electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Although these technologies offer many benefits, they can 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. They function as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even brief or small 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. 
  • Communication systems. Modern heating and cooling systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for reliable operation. 
  • Variable-capacity inverter technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that benefit from surge protection. 

Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk? 

Damage from voltage spikes can cost hundreds or even more to repair or replace. Installing whole-house surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after electrical surge incidents. 

HVAC components most vulnerable to power surges in Thedford include: 

  • Control boards:Installing a whole-house surge protector protects your HVAC control board’s main. 
  • HVAC compressors. An HVAC 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. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after multiple 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 power strips don’t protect your HVAC system. For complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers greater coverage and long-term value. 

A professionally installed whole-home surge protector is connected at your home’s electrical panel. Instead of regulating electricity to only one outlet, the system helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your house, including your heating and cooling equipment. 

Benefits of Whole-Home Surge Protection 

Using whole-home surge protection is a smart 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: 

  • Reduced repaircosts. Reducing surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs. 
  • Longer-lasting HVAC equipment. Electronic HVAC components experience less electrical stress over time when equipped with surge protection. 
  • Protection of homeelectronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-house surge protector also helps protect appliances, computers and entertainment systems. 
  • Less stress during storms. Homeowners gain added confidence when weather-related power outages occur. 
  • Protectionagainst everyday electrical fluctuations. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage electronic HVAC equipment. 

5 Signs You May Need Surge Protection 

  1. Frequent storms. Given the frequent summer storms in Thedford, lightning protection for your HVAC can help reduce the risk of electrical surge damage. 
  2. Power outages or flickering lights. Repeated outages and electrical fluctuations increase the likelihood of electrical surges. 
  3. Older electrical systems. Old wiring or outdated electrical equipment can raise your home’s surge risk. 
  4. Expensive 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. 
  5. Smart home devices. Homes with Wi-Fi thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect. 

 

Expert Surge Protection Installation Is Important 

Whole-home surge protection must be professionally installed to provide dependable protection. Choosing licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Taylor's Heating & Air Conditioning helps make sure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to help protect your home HVAC system. 

The highly trained professionals at Taylor's Heating & Air Conditioning understand the specialized 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 from Future Power Surges 

Voltage spikes aren’t always obvious, but they can have a big impact on your heating and cooling system. Investing in whole-home surge protection is a proactive 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-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 offer all electrical services for the rest of your home. 

Learn how surge protection can help safeguard your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 519-296-4437 today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection 

In most cases, yes. 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, which can help extend the life of your home comfort system.

It can. A power surge can damage your AC unit’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause expensive repairs. AC surge protection helps protect your air conditioner from power surges by preventing the surges from reaching sensitive HVAC components.

The most common sources of power surges include lightning strikes, utility grid switching, power outages, power restoration and large appliances cycling on and off. Another possible cause is problems within your home’s electrical system. Even small, repeated surges can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.

Most whole-home surge protectors last 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 need replacement sooner.

It depends. Homeowners insurance sometimes 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 a smart way to avoid paying for preventable and expensive HVAC repairs.

It can. Power surge protection for HVAC helps shield smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from electrical surges. Surge protection may also improve system lifespan and reduce the risk of expensive repairs to your home’s heating and cooling equipment.