Many people think power surges only happen during 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 electrical surges inside your home. 

These electrical surges don’t just threaten televisions and computers. They may also cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s heating and cooling systems rely on highly sensitive electronic components. Thankfully, HVAC surge protection can help shield one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of major repairs. 

What Is a Power Surge  

A home power surge is a brief spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. Even though it lasts only a fraction of a second, it can damage household electronics, including HVAC equipment. 

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. Major 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, repeated voltage spikes can slowly wear down HVAC components over time, limiting their lifespan. 

Why Modern HVAC Systems Are More Vulnerable 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 also make equipment more at risk of damage from voltage spikes, highlighting the importance of HVAC electrical protection. 

Some of the most vulnerable 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. 
  • Energy-efficient variable-speed motors. These energy-saving motors rely on electronic controls that are sensitive to electric surges. 
  • Smart thermostats. Connected thermostats contain delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment. 
  • Electronic communication systems. Many newer heating and air conditioning systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for energy-efficient operation. 
  • Inverter technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that work best with surge protection. 

Which HVAC Components Need the Most Protection? 

Damage from power surges can cost hundreds or even more to repair. Installing electrical surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after electrical surge incidents. 

HVAC components most commonly affected by power surges in Jefferson include: 

  • Control boards:The HVAC system’s control board contains essential operating controls, which can be badly damaged by surges. 
  • Airconditioner compressors. An HVAC compressor 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. 
  • HVAC system capacitors. Surges can weaken or damage these components, reducing system startup and performance. 
  • Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. A smart thermostat can malfunction after multiple voltage spikes. 
  • Heat pump control electronics. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components that can be vulnerable to surges. 

Which is Better for My Home: Whole-Home Surge Protection or Power Strips? 

Many homeowners 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 broader coverage and lasting value. 

A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is connected at your home’s electrical panel. Rather than protecting only one outlet, it helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout the house, including your HVAC equipment. 

Benefits of Whole-House 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-house HVAC surge protection include: 

  • Reduced repaircosts. Preventing surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs. 
  • Longer HVAC equipmentlife. Electronic HVAC components experience less electrical stress over time when protected correctly. 
  • Home electronics protection. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-house surge protector also shields 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 your HVAC system. 

5 Signs You May Need Surge Protection 

  1. Frequent storms. Given the strong summer storms in Jefferson, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of power surge damage. 
  2. Blackouts or flickering lights. Ongoing power interruptions and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of damaging voltage spikes. 
  3. Aging electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk. 
  4. Modern heating and cooling equipment. Shielding a high-efficiency heating and cooling system with a surge protector 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 

Home HVAC surge protection must be properly installed to provide dependable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Pratt Brothers helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to safeguard your home HVAC system. 

The experienced professionals at Pratt Brothers understand the specific 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 

Power surges aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a major impact on your HVAC system. Investing in 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 wide variety of surge protection options, including whole-home protection. Our professionals will assess your home’s needs and help you choose a setup to protect your home HVAC. In addition to surge protection, we provide all electrical services for the rest of your home. 

Learn how surge protection can help safeguard your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 920-545-1910 today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection 

Absolutely. Whole-home surge protection is typically a worthwhile investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. The cost of installing surge protection is typically much lower than repairing or replacing damaged furnace or air conditioner components, helping extend the life of your home comfort system.

Absolutely. A power surge can damage your AC unit’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, leading to major repairs. Installing AC surge protection can 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. Small voltage spikes can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.

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 require replacement sooner.

It can. Homeowners insurance may 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 help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.

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