Many people think power surges only happen during lightning storms. While lightning is one cause, it’s certainly not 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 surges don’t just damage televisions and computers. These surges can cause HVAC electrical damage because today’s heating and cooling systems rely on sophisticated electronic components. The good news is HVAC surge protection can help safeguard one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of expensive repairs. 

What Are Power Surges  

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

Many people know 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 power can also surge 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 lead to surges. 

Although one major power surge can cause immediate damage, repeated minor surges can slowly wear down heating and air conditioning systems over time, shortening their lifespan. 

Why Modern HVAC Systems Require Better Surge Protection 

Today’s heating and cooling systems use sophisticated electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. While these features offer many benefits, they also make equipment more sensitive to 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 minimal voltage spikes. 
  • Variable-speed motors. Variable speed motors rely on electronic controls that are susceptible to electric surges. 
  • Smart thermostats. Smart home devices are made with delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment. 
  • Communication systems. Today’s HVAC systems rely on electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for reliable operation. 
  • Variable-capacity inverter technology. Systems with variable-capacity operation use sophisticated electronics that work best with surge protection. 

Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk? 

Damage from electrical surges can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to repair. Installing whole-home surge protection helps minimize the risk of unexpected failures and major HVAC repair after electrical surge incidents. 

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

  • Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary. 
  • HVAC compressors. The compressor is one of the costliest 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. Electrical surges can weaken or damage these components, impacting system startup and performance. 
  • Smartthermostats. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after repeated 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? 

Homeowners commonly use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but those devices don’t protect your HVAC system. For complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers broader coverage and long-term value. 

A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is connected at your home’s electrical panel. Unlike devices that protect only one outlet, it can help safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout the house, including your HVAC system. 

Benefits of Whole-Home HVAC Surge Protection 

Using whole-home surge protection is an effective way to protect your HVAC investment while also helping safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home. 

Benefits of whole-house HVAC surge protection include: 

  • Fewer repair costs. Preventing surge damage can help reduce expensive HVAC repairs. 
  • Longer HVAC equipmentlife. Electronic HVAC components experience reduced electrical stress over time when protected correctly. 
  • Home electronics protection. In addition to protecting your HVAC, whole-home surge protection also shields appliances, computers and entertainment systems. 
  • Added confidence during severe weather. Homeowners gain added confidence when severe storms strike your area. 
  • Defense against everyday electrical fluctuations. Minor electrical surges can gradually damage electronic HVAC equipment. 

5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection 

  1. Severe weather. Given the strong summer storms in Chester, lightning protection for your HVAC can help reduce the risk of electrical surge damage. 
  2. Blackouts or flickering lights. Frequent outages and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of power surges. 
  3. Older electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can raise your home’s surge risk. 
  4. High-efficiency HVAC equipment. Protecting a high-efficiency heating and cooling system by installing whole-home surge protection is often more affordable than repairing or replacing damaged components. 
  5. Smart home technology. Homes with smart thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect. 

 

Expert Surge Protection Installation Makes a Difference 

Whole-home surge protection must be properly installed to provide dependable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Korando Heating & Cooling, Inc. helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to help protect your home HVAC system. 

The skilled professionals at Korando Heating & Cooling, Inc. understand the specialized electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will recommend the right surge protector for your air conditioner, 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 proactive way to help prevent costly 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 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. Along with 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 618-826-2151 today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About HVAC Surge Protection 

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 HVAC components, which can help extend the life of your home comfort system.

Yes. A power surge can damage an air conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, leading to expensive repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by shielding the 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. Another possible cause is problems within your home’s electrical system. Even small, repeated surges 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.

It depends. 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 cost-effective way to help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.

Yes. Power surge protection for HVAC helps shield smart thermostats and other connected HVAC components from power surges. It also helps improve system longevity and reduce the risk of expensive repairs to home heating and cooling equipment.