Homeowners often 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 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 shield one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of major repairs. 

What Are Power Surges  

A home power surge is a brief spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. While it lasts only a fraction of a second, it may damage electronic components. 

Many people know lightning is the most well-known cause, but many electrical surges begin 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. Household appliances like refrigerators or AC units can also create small voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. In some cases, loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges. 

Though a single significant surge can cause immediate damage, repeated minor surges can slowly wear down HVAC components over time, limiting their lifespan. 

Why Modern HVAC Systems Are More Vulnerable Than Ever 

Modern heating and cooling systems use high-tech electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Even though hese advanced features offer many benefits, they also make equipment more at risk of 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. They function as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even very 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. 
  • 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 rely on sophisticated electronics that are better protected with surge protection. 

Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk? 

Damage from electrical surges can cost hundreds or even thousands to fix. Installing electrical surge protection helps reduce the risk of unexpected failures and major HVAC repair after voltage spike incidents. 

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

  • Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary. 
  • Airconditioner compressors. An HVAC compressor is one of the most expensive parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace. 
  • Blower motors.Electrical surges can damage motors used to move conditioned air throughout your home. 
  • Capacitors. Surges can weaken or damage these components, impacting system startup and performance. 
  • Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. These devices may malfunction after multiple voltage spikes. 
  • Heat pumpelectronics. Modern heat pumps use multiple electronic components that can be vulnerable to surges. 

Comparing Whole-Home Surge Protection to Power Strips 

Many people 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 greater coverage and lasting value. 

A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is set up right at your home’s electrical panel. Rather than protecting only one outlet, it can help safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your entire house, including your HVAC equipment. 

Benefits of Whole-House Surge Protection 

Using whole-home surge protection is a smart 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. Reducing surge damage can help prevent expensive HVAC repairs. 
  • Extended HVAC system lifespan. Sensitive components experience lower electrical stress over time when protected correctly. 
  • Home electronics protection. In addition to protecting your HVAC, whole-home surge protection also helps protect appliances, computers and entertainment systems. 
  • Added confidence during severe weather. Homeowners gain added confidence when weather-related power outages occur. 
  • Protectionagainst everyday electrical fluctuations. Minor electrical surges can gradually damage connected HVAC devices. 

5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection 

  1. Regular summer storms. Given the frequent summer storms in Hodgenville, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of surge-related damage. 
  2. Frequent power outages or flickering lights. Ongoing power interruptions and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of power surges. 
  3. Aging electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can increase your home’s surge risk. 
  4. High-efficiency HVAC equipment. Safeguarding 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 connected thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect. 

 

Professional Surge Protection Installation Is Important 

Home HVAC surge protection must be installed correctly to provide dependable protection. Choosing licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. helps make sure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system. 

The skilled professionals at Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. understand the specific 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 Before the Next Power Surge 

Power surges 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 expensive 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-house surge protectors. Our professionals will evaluate your home’s needs and suggest a setup to protect your home HVAC. Beyond surge protection, we provide 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 270-358-3167 today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC 

Absolutely. Installing whole-home surge protection is typically a worthwhile investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. 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.

Absolutely. A power surge can damage an air conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause expensive repairs. AC surge protection helps protect your air conditioner from electrical fluctuations 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. Power surges may also stem from problems within your home’s electrical system. Small voltage spikes can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.

A typical whole-home surge protector lasts about 5 to 10 years, although that depends on the number and severity of the surges it absorbs. Surge protector systems in properties that experience frequent storms or utility power fluctuations may need replacement sooner.

In some cases, but not all. Homeowners insurance can cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the surge. Because deductibles and coverage vary, 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 electrical surges. Surge protection may also improve system lifespan and reduce the risk of expensive repairs to modern heating and cooling equipment.