Many people think power surges occur only during lightning storms. Although lightning is one cause, it’s far from the only one.  Major appliances turning on and off, electrical grid switching, power outages and restoration can all create voltage spikes inside your home. 

These electric voltage spikes don’t just damage televisions and computers. They can also cause HVAC electrical damage because current heating and cooling systems rely on highly sensitive 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 Is a Power Surge  

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

Lightning is the most well-known cause, but power surges often occur much closer to home. Electric utility providers routinely switch power on the electrical grid, and voltage can also spike when electricity is restored after an outage. Large appliances like refrigerators or HVAC systems can also create brief voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. It’s also possible that loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges. 

While a single large 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 

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 sensitive to voltage spikes, highlighting the importance of HVAC electrical protection. 

Some of the most at-risk HVAC components to power surges include: 

  • Circuit boards. They function as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even minimal voltage spikes. 
  • Variable-speed motors. These energy-saving motors rely on electronic controls that are vulnerable to electric surges. 
  • Smart thermostats. Connected thermostats contain delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment. 
  • HVAC system communication controls. Today’s HVAC systems rely on electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for reliable operation. 
  • Inverter technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that benefit from surge protection. 

Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk? 

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

HVAC components that are frequently damaged by power surges in Auburn and Opelika include: 

  • Control boards:Installing a whole-house surge protector protects your HVAC control board’s main. 
  • Airconditioner compressors. The compressor is one of the costliest parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace. 
  • Blower motors.Power surges can damage motors used to move conditioned air throughout your home. 
  • HVACcapacitors. Electrical surges can weaken or damage these components, reducing system startup and performance. 
  • Smartthermostats. These devices may malfunction after frequent voltage spikes. 
  • Heat pumpelectronics. Heat pumps rely on multiple electronic components that can be vulnerable to surges. 

Whole-Home Surge Protection vs. Power Strips 

Many homeowners use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but power strips don’t protect your furnace or air conditioner. For complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers more comprehensive coverage and lasting value. 

A professionally installed whole-house surge protector is set up right at your home’s electrical panel. Unlike devices that protect only one outlet, the system helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout the house, including your HVAC equipment. 

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-house HVAC surge protection include: 

  • Lower repair expenses. Reducing surge damage can help reduce expensive HVAC repairs. 
  • Extended HVAC system lifespan. Sensitive components experience lower electrical stress over time when properly protected. 
  • Protection of homeelectronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-home surge protector also shields appliances, computers and entertainment systems. 
  • Greater peace of mind duringstorms. You’ll have added confidence when severe storms strike your area. 
  • Protectionagainst everyday electrical fluctuations. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage electronic HVAC equipment. 

5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection 

  1. Frequent storms. Given the strong summer storms in Auburn and Opelika, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of electrical surge damage. 
  2. Power outages or flickering lights. Repeated outages and changing voltage levels increase the likelihood of electrical surges. 
  3. Aging electrical systems. Old wiring or outdated electrical equipment can increase your home’s surge risk. 
  4. Expensive 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. Connected home technology. Homes with Wi-Fi thermostats and other connected devices have more sensitive electronics to protect. 

 

Expert Surge Protection Installation Matters 

Whole-home surge protection must be properly installed to provide consistent protection. Choosing licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Farnell Mechanical, Inc. helps confirm the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system. 

The skilled professionals at Farnell Mechanical, Inc. understand the unique 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 

Voltage spikes aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a big impact on your HVAC equipment. Installing 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 variety of surge protection options, including whole-home surge protection systems. Our professionals will evaluate your home’s needs and suggest a customized solution to protect your home HVAC. In addition to surge protection, we provide all electrical services for the rest of your home. 

See how surge protection can help protect your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 334-524-2458 today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC 

Absolutely. Whole-home surge protection is typically a worthwhile 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, leading to costly repairs. A surge protector for your AC helps protect your air conditioner from electrical fluctuations 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.

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 a home that has frequent storms or utility power fluctuations may require replacement sooner.

It depends. Homeowners insurance sometimes 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.

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