Many people think power surges only happen during lightning storms. Although lightning is one cause, it isn’t 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 sophisticated electronic components. Thankfully, HVAC surge protection can help safeguard one of your home’s biggest investments and reduce the risk of costly repairs. 

What Is a Power Surge  

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

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. Household appliances like refrigerators or AC units can also create minor voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. It’s also possible that loose wiring or other home electrical issues contribute to surges. 

Although one major power 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 make equipment more vulnerable to damage from voltage spikes, increasing the importance of HVAC electrical protection. 

Some of the most vulnerable components to power surges include: 

  • Circuit boards. They serve as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even very small voltage spikes. 
  • Variable-speed blower motors. These advanced motors rely on electronic controls that are vulnerable to electric surges. 
  • Smart thermostats. Connected thermostats contain delicate electronics that communicate with your HVAC equipment. 
  • Electronic communication systems. Today’s HVAC systems rely on electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for energy-efficient operation. 
  • Inverter-driven technology. Variable-capacity HVAC systems use sophisticated electronics that work best 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 or replace. Installing whole-house surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after electrical surge incidents. 

HVAC components most vulnerable to power surges in Kearney 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.Electrical surges can damage motors responsible for circulating conditioned air throughout your home. 
  • HVACcapacitors. Power surges may weaken or damage these components, reducing system startup and performance. 
  • Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. Electronic thermostats can malfunction after frequent voltage spikes. 
  • Electronic heat pump components. Modern heat pumps use multiple electronic components which are vulnerable to surges. 

Whole-Home Surge Protection vs. Power Strips 

Many homeowners use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but those devices don’t protect your furnace or air conditioner. For complete HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers broader coverage and greater long-term 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 the house, including your HVAC system. 

Benefits of Whole-House Surge Protection 

Using whole-home surge protection is a proactive way to protect your HVAC investment while also working to safeguard other valuable electronics throughout your home. 

Benefits of whole-home HVAC surge protection include: 

  • Reduced repaircosts. Preventing surge damage can help avoid expensive HVAC repairs. 
  • Longer HVAC equipmentlife. vulnerable technological components experience lower electrical stress over time when equipped with surge protection. 
  • Home electronics protection. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-home surge protector also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems. 
  • Added confidence during severe weather. You’ll have added confidence when severe weather strikes. 
  • Defense against everyday electrical fluctuations. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage electronic HVAC equipment. 

5 Signs You May Need Surge Protection 

  1. Regular summer storms. Given the strong summer storms in Kearney, lightning protection for your HVAC can help minimize the risk of electrical surge damage. 
  2. Blackouts or flickering lights. Frequent outages and changing voltage levels increase the likelihood of electrical surges. 
  3. Older electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can increase 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. Connected home technology. Homes with connected thermostats and other connected devices have additional sensitive electronics to protect. 

 

Expert Surge Protection Installation Matters 

Home HVAC surge protection must be installed correctly to provide reliable protection. Working with licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to help protect your home HVAC system. 

The highly trained professionals at Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning understand the specialized electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will recommend the right surge protector for your AC, furnace and other home comfort systems. 

Protect Your HVAC Investment from Future Power Surges 

Electrical surges aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a significant impact on your HVAC equipment. Adding whole-home surge protection is an effective way to help prevent expensive 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 variety of surge protection options, including whole-home surge protection systems. 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 308-270-3765 today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC 

Yes. Whole-home surge protection is often worth the investment because it helps protect expensive HVAC equipment. 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.

Yes. A power surge can damage an air conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause major repairs. Installing AC surge protection can protect your air conditioner from electrical surges by shielding the 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. Repeated minor power surges can gradually wear down HVAC components over time.

Most whole-home surge protectors last 5 to 10 years, although its lifespan 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 sometimes cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the surge. Since coverage and deductibles differ, surge protection installation is often cost-effective way to protect your pocketbook from expensive HVAC repairs.

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