Homeowners often think power surges only happen during lightning storms. Although lightning is one cause, it isn’t the only one.  Major appliances turning on and off, electrical grid switching, power outages and restoration can all create power surges inside your home. 

These electric voltage spikes don’t just pose a risk to televisions and computers. They can also cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s heating and cooling systems rely on highly sensitive electronic components. Fortunately, HVAC surge protection can help protect 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. Even though it lasts only a fraction of a second, it can damage home electronics. 

Lightning is the most well-known cause, but power surges often occur much closer to home. Utility companies regularly switch power on the electrical grid, and electrical surges also can happen when electricity is restored after an outage. Large appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners can also create brief voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. It’s also possible that loose wiring or other home electrical issues lead to 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 

Many of today’s heating and cooling systems use advanced 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 serve as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even minimal voltage spikes. 
  • Energy-efficient variable-speed 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. 
  • Electronic communication systems. Many newer heating and air conditioning systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for reliable operation. 
  • Inverter-driven technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that are better protected with surge protection. 

Which HVAC Components Are Most Vulnerable to Power Surges? 

Damage from voltage spikes can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to repair. Installing whole-house surge protection helps minimize the risk of unexpected failures and expensive HVAC repair after power surge incidents. 

HVAC components that are frequently damaged by power surges in Covington include: 

  • Control boards:Installing a whole-house surge protector protects your HVAC control board’s main. 
  • Compressors. This component is one of the most expensive 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. Power surges may weaken or damage these components, impacting system startup and performance. 
  • Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after repeated voltage spikes. 
  • Electronic heat pump components. Heat pump systems depend 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 heating and cooling system. To provide complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers more comprehensive 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 helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout the house, including your HVAC equipment. 

Benefits of Whole-Home Surge Protection 

Using 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: 

  • Fewer repair costs. Reducing surge damage can help reduce expensive HVAC repairs. 
  • Extended HVAC system lifespan. vulnerable technological components experience reduced electrical stress over time when properly protected. 
  • Home electronics protection. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-home surge protector also helps protect appliances, computers and entertainment systems. 
  • Added confidence during severe weather. You’ll have added confidence when severe weather strikes. 
  • Protectionagainst everyday electrical fluctuations. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage your HVAC system. 

5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection 

  1. Frequent storms. Given the powerful summer storms in Covington, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of electrical surge damage. 
  2. Blackouts or flickering lights. Frequent outages and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of electrical surges. 
  3. Aging electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk. 
  4. Modern heating and cooling equipment. Protecting 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 even more sensitive electronics to protect. 

 

Expert Surge Protection Installation Makes a Difference 

Whole-home surge protection must be installed correctly to provide consistent protection. Working with licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Covington Air Systems helps confirm the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to safeguard your home HVAC system. 

The highly trained professionals at Covington Air Systems understand the specialized electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will recommend 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 major impact on your HVAC 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 a variety of surge protection options, including whole-home protection. Our professionals will review your home’s needs and help you choose a setup 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 safeguard your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 770-766-8015 today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection 

Absolutely. Whole-home surge protection is often a smart 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, and it helps extend the life of your home comfort system.

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

Power surges are most commonly caused by lightning strikes, utility grid switching, power outages, power restoration and large appliances cycling on and off. They can also result from 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 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.

It can. Homeowners insurance can cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and the reason for the surge. Since coverage and deductibles differ, surge protection installation is often a smart way to protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.

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