Many people think power surges only happen during lightning storms. Although lightning is one cause, it isn’t 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 pose a risk to televisions and computers. They may also cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s heating and cooling systems rely on advanced electronic components. Fortunately, HVAC surge protection can help protect one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of costly repairs.
What Is a Power Surge
A home power surge is a short spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. While it lasts only a fraction of a second, it still can damage home electronics.
Lightning remains 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 HVAC systems can also create minor voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. In some cases, loose wiring or other home electrical issues can cause surges.
While a single large surge can cause immediate damage, smaller, repeated voltage spikes can slowly wear down HVAC components over time, shortening their lifespan.
Why Modern HVAC Systems Need More Surge Protection Than Ever
Today’s heating and cooling systems use advanced electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Even though hese advanced features offer many benefits, they can make equipment more vulnerable to damage from voltage spikes, highlighting the importance of HVAC electrical protection.
Some of the most at-risk HVAC components to power surges include:
- Control boards. These act as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even very small voltage spikes.
- Variable-speed blower motors. These advanced motors rely on electronic controls that are vulnerable to electric surges.
- Smart thermostats. A smart thermostat uses delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment.
- HVAC system communication controls. Modern heating and cooling systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for reliable operation.
- Inverter technology. Systems with variable-capacity operation use sophisticated electronics that are better protected with surge protection.
Which HVAC Components Need the Most Protection?
Damage from electrical surges can cost hundreds or even thousands to repair. Installing whole-house surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after electrical surge incidents.
HVAC components that are frequently damaged by power surges in Menomonie and western Wisconsin include:
- Control boards:Installing a whole-house surge protector protects your HVAC control board’s main.
- HVAC compressors. This component is one of the most expensive 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. Surges can weaken or damage these components, reducing system startup and performance.
- Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. These devices may malfunction after repeated voltage spikes.
- Heat pumpelectronics. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components which are 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 HVAC system. For HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers broader coverage and lasting value.
A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is located at your home’s electrical panel. Rather than protecting only one outlet, it can help safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your house, including your HVAC system.
Benefits of Whole-Home Surge Protection
Adding whole-home surge protection is a proactive way to protect your HVAC investment while 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. Electronic HVAC components experience reduced electrical stress over time when properly protected.
- Home electronics protection. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-house surge protector also helps protect appliances, computers and entertainment systems.
- Greater peace of mind duringstorms. Homeowners gain added confidence when severe storms strike your area.
- Protectionagainst everyday electrical fluctuations. Minor electrical surges can gradually damage connected HVAC devices.
5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection
- Frequent storms. Given the strong summer storms in Menomonie and western Wisconsin, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of surge-related damage.
- Power outages or flickering lights. Frequent outages and changing voltage levels increase the likelihood of damaging voltage spikes.
- Aging electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk.
- Expensive HVAC equipment. Safeguarding a high-efficiency heating and cooling system by installing whole-home surge protection is often more affordable than repairing or replacing damaged components.
- Smart home technology. Homes with Wi-Fi thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect.
Why Professional Surge Protection Installation Matters
Home HVAC surge protection must be professionally installed to provide reliable protection. Working with licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Halverson Brothers Inc helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system.
The skilled professionals at Halverson Brothers Inc understand the unique electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will help you choose the right surge protector for your AC, furnace and other home comfort systems.
Protect Your HVAC Investment Before the Next Power Surge
Voltage spikes aren’t always obvious, but they can have a major impact on your HVAC system. 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 ready to learn more about 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 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 715-578-8046 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC
Is whole-home surge protection worth it for an HVAC system?
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 power surge damage an air conditioner?
Absolutely. A power surge can damage an air conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, resulting in expensive repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by preventing the surges from reaching sensitive HVAC components.
What causes power surges inside 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. Another possible cause is problems within your home’s electrical system. Repeated minor power surges can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.
How long does whole-home surge protection last?
Most whole-home surge protectors last 5 to 10 years, although actual service life 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 power surge damage?
In some cases, but not all. Homeowners insurance can 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 a smart way to protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.
Will whole-home surge protection help protect smart thermostats?
It can. Power surge protection for HVAC helps shield smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from damaging voltage spikes. Surge protection may also improve system lifespan and reduce the risk of extensive repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.
