Many homeowners think power surges occur only during lightning storms. Although lightning is one cause, it’s certainly not the only one. Utility switching, power outages/restoration and even large appliances cycling on and off can all create electrical surges inside your home. 

These surges don’t just damage televisions and computers. These surges can cause HVAC electrical damage because modern heating and cooling systems rely on highly sensitive electronic components. Thankfully, HVAC surge protection can help shield 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 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 many electrical surges begin much closer to home. Electric utility providers routinely switch power on the electrical grid, and power can also surge when electricity is restored after an outage. Major appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners can also create brief voltage fluctuations when they cycle on and off. In some cases, loose wiring or other home electrical issues lead to surges. 

While a single large surge can cause immediate damage, repeated minor surges can slowly wear down heating and cooling equipment over time, reducing their lifespan. 

Why Modern HVAC Systems Need More Surge Protection Than Ever 

Today’s heating and cooling systems use sophisticated electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. Although these technologies 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 function as the system’s control center and can be damaged by even brief or small voltage spikes. 
  • Energy-efficient variable-speed motors. Variable speed motors rely on electronic controls that are sensitive to electric surges. 
  • Smart thermostats. A smart thermostat uses delicate electronics that control your HVAC equipment. 
  • Electronic communication systems. Modern heating and cooling systems use electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for energy-efficient operation. 
  • Inverter technology. Systems with variable-capacity operation use sophisticated electronics that benefit from surge protection. 

Which HVAC Components Are Most Vulnerable to Power Surges? 

Damage from power surges can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to fix. Installing whole-house surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after voltage spike incidents. 

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

  • Control boards:The HVAC system’s control board contains essential operating controls, which can be badly damaged by surges. 
  • HVAC compressors. The compressor is one of the highest-priced parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace. 
  • Blower motors.Voltage spikes can damage motors that circulate conditioned air throughout your home. 
  • Capacitors. 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 pumps rely on multiple electronic components that can be vulnerable to surges. 

Comparing Whole-Home Surge Protection to Power Strips 

Many homeowners use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but these plug-in devices don’t protect your furnace or air conditioner. For HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers more comprehensive coverage and 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, the system helps safeguard major appliances and electronics throughout your entire house, including your HVAC equipment. 

Benefits of Whole-House Surge Protection 

Adding whole-home surge protection is an effective way to protect your HVAC investment while also working to 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. vulnerable technological components experience less electrical stress over time when properly protected. 
  • Protection for household electronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, whole-home surge protection also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems. 
  • Less stress during storms. Surge protection provides added confidence when severe weather strikes. 
  • Protection from everyday electrical fluctuations. Small voltage spikes can gradually damage connected HVAC devices. 

5 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from Surge Protection 

  1. Severe weather. Given the powerful summer storms in Holdrege, lightning protection for your HVAC can help reduce the risk of power 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 add to your home’s surge risk. 
  4. Modern heating and cooling equipment. Shielding 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 connected thermostats and other connected devices have even more sensitive electronics to protect. 

 

Why Professional Surge Protection Installation Makes a Difference 

Whole-house surge protection must be installed correctly to provide reliable protection. Hiring licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Durable Service helps ensure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to safeguard your home HVAC system. 

The highly trained professionals at Durable Service understand the specific electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will help you choose the right surge protector for your air conditioning unit, furnace and other home comfort systems. 

Protect Your HVAC Investment with Whole-Home Surge Protection 

Electrical surges aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a big impact on your heating and cooling 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 ready to learn more about 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-home protection. Our professionals will assess your home’s needs and help you choose a customized solution to protect your home HVAC. Along with surge protection, we provide all electrical services for the rest of your home. 

Find out how surge protection can help protect your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 308-995-8177 today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC 

Absolutely. Installing 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 an air conditioner’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, leading to major repairs. A surge protector for your AC helps protect your air conditioner from power 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. 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.

A whole-house surge protector usually lasts 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.

In some cases, but not all. Homeowners insurance may cover power surge damage, but coverage depends on your policy and what caused the surge. Since coverage and deductibles differ, surge protection installation is often a smart way to help prevent expensive HVAC repairs.

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