Many people think power surges only happen during lightning storms. Although 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 electrical surges inside your home. 

These electric voltage spikes don’t just pose a risk to televisions and computers. They may also 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 is a short spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. Although it lasts only a fraction of a second, it still can damage home electronics. 

Lightning remains the most well-known cause, but many electrical surges begin much closer to home. Power companies frequently adjust power on the electrical grid, and power can also surge when electricity is restored after an outage. Large 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 lead to surges. 

While a single large surge can cause immediate damage, smaller surges can slowly wear down HVAC components over time, shortening their lifespan. 

Why Modern HVAC Systems Require Better Surge Protection 

Many of today’s heating and cooling systems use advanced electronics to improve comfort and energy efficiency. While these features offer many benefits, they can 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 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 sensitive to electric surges. 
  • Smart thermostats. Connected thermostats contain delicate electronics that communicate with your HVAC equipment. 
  • HVAC system communication controls. Today’s HVAC systems rely on electronic communication between indoor and outdoor units for energy-efficient operation. 
  • Inverter-driven technology. Systems with variable-capacity operation use sophisticated electronics that work best with surge protection. 

Which HVAC Components Are Most at Risk? 

Damage from voltage spikes can cost hundreds or even more to repair or replace. Installing electrical surge protection helps lower the risk of unexpected failures and costly HVAC repair after electrical surge incidents. 

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

  • Control boards:Protecting your HVAC system’s control board safeguards its primary. 
  • HVAC compressors. An HVAC compressor is one of the costliest parts of an air conditioner or heat pump to replace. 
  • Blower motors.Electrical surges can damage motors that circulate conditioned air throughout your home. 
  • Capacitors. Electrical surges can weaken or damage these components, impacting system startup and performance. 
  • Thermostats and Smart Home Technology. A smart thermostat can malfunction after multiple voltage spikes. 
  • Electronic heat pump components. Heat pump systems depend on multiple electronic components that are particularly vulnerable to surges. 

Comparing Whole-Home Surge Protection to Power Strips 

Homeowners commonly use surge-protecting power strips for computers and televisions, but those devices don’t protect your heating and cooling system. For HVAC system protection, whole-home surge protection offers more comprehensive coverage and greater 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 Surge Protection 

Adding 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: 

  • Lower repair expenses. Preventing surge damage can help avoid expensive HVAC repairs. 
  • Longer HVAC equipmentlife. Sensitive components experience less electrical stress over time when equipped with surge protection. 
  • Protection of homeelectronics. In addition to protecting your HVAC, a whole-house surge protector also safeguards appliances, computers and entertainment systems. 
  • Added confidence during severe weather. Surge protection provides added confidence when severe storms strike your area. 
  • Protectionagainst everyday electrical fluctuations. Even small, routine surges can gradually damage your HVAC system. 

5 Signs You May Need Surge Protection 

  1. Severe weather. Given the frequent summer storms in Moscow, lightning protection for your HVAC can help lower the risk of power surge damage. 
  2. Blackouts or flickering lights. Frequent outages and voltage fluctuations increase the likelihood of damaging voltage spikes. 
  3. Aging electrical systems. Old wiring or obsolete electrical equipment can add to your home’s surge risk. 
  4. High-efficiency HVAC equipment. Protecting a high-efficiency heating and cooling system with a surge protector is often more affordable than repairing or replacing damaged components. 
  5. Connected home technology. Homes with Wi-Fi thermostats and other connected devices have even more sensitive electronics to protect. 

 

Professional Surge Protection Installation Matters 

Whole-house surge protection must be professionally installed to provide consistent protection. Choosing licensed HVAC and electrical professionals like the team at Redinger Heating & Cooling helps make sure the surge protection device is properly installed and ready to protect your home HVAC system. 

The experienced professionals at Redinger Heating & Cooling understand the specific electrical needs of modern HVAC equipment and will recommend the right surge protector for your air conditioning unit, furnace and other home comfort systems. 

Protect Your HVAC Investment from Future Power Surges 

Power surges aren’t always dramatic, but they can have a big impact on your heating and cooling 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 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 assess 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 protect your HVAC equipment. Schedule service online or call 208-882-8152 today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Surge protection for HVAC 

In most cases, yes. 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, which can help extend the life of your home comfort system.

Yes. A power surge can damage your AC unit’s compressor, circuit board and blower motor, which can cause major repairs. AC surge protection helps 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. 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 whole-house surge protector usually lasts 5 to 10 years, although actual service life 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 require replacement sooner.

It depends. Homeowners insurance sometimes 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 avoid paying for preventable and expensive HVAC repairs.

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