When you think of surge protection, you probably think of electronics like computers, TVs and stereos, and your expensive heating and cooling equipment might not come to mind. Your HVAC equipment does contain sensitive electronics, though, and needs surge protection just as much as your computer and other electronics. Since HVAC systems cost more than TVs and stereos, protecting HVAC equipment from power surges is essential.
While lightning might be most commonly associated with power surges, far more likely causes are your electric company and your own electricity use – high power electrical devices such as vacuums and hair dryers and appliances like refrigerators powering on and off.
A single surge can harm your HVAC system, though even if one surge causes no obvious damage, repeated surges will wear your system down. A surge protector will monitor the electricity inflow to your HVAC system and cut it off when there’s a surge, shutting your system down.
Once you’ve had your surge protector installed, all you’ll need to do is learn how to restart your HVAC system after it’s been shut down. For this it’s best to contact the contractor who installed your system, since the proper procedure may differ from system to system. You can also check the manual that came with your HVAC equipment.
A minor investment in a surge protector makes good financial sense when it comes to protecting such a major investment in your home as your HVAC system. Even if your system survived each individual power surge, every surge causes some damage. Over time, this damage will take years off the life of your HVAC system.
For more advice on protecting HVAC equipment from power surges, contact the experts at Ernst Heating & Cooling. We’ve been serving the Metro-East area since 1951.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about power surges and other HVAC topics, visit our blog.
Ernst Heating & Cooling services Hamel, Illinois and the surrounding areas.Â