Stop Power Surges: How to Avoid Costly HVAC Electrical Repair

Most homes have one central system that handles both heating and cooling functions, and it combines with the building’s envelope—walls, windows, and roof—to make the biggest impact in comfort, safety, and healthy living. While this system accounts for only 5-7% of the total construction cost for a home, it consumes 40 to 50% of the home’s entire energy use.

Homeowners know that the heating and air conditioning system needs maintenance, but might not be as aware of the dangers from short periods of high or low energy as it flows through the residential electrical system. The causes of these changes vary greatly, but the potential damage to system components is serious.

Power Surges

Power surges are sudden spikes in voltage that can originate from the power grid, due to a lightning strike or large, sudden switching on the grid, or they might originate from within the home when large appliances turn ON or OFF.

• Power surges can burn out circuit boards (small computers in appliances) or relays (internal ON/OFF switches.)
• Power surges can also damage large components, such as motors or compressors, and the capacitors (switching mechanisms) that provide startup power to large devices.
• Power surges may also interfere with the thermostat function and delay communication between the thermostat and the furnace.
• When a power outage is repaired, and the home’s electrical system is suddenly energized, appliances restart under unstable voltage. This can cause compressors to short-cycle a time or two, as the system regains equilibrium.
• You may need to reset the thermostat’s schedule after a power outage.

Low Voltage Damage

Having too little power coming into your residential electrical system can also damage the heating and air conditioning system. Low voltage problems might exist in the power grid: if your area experiences brownouts or blackouts, it may also be experiencing low voltage problems. Inside a home, low voltage can be caused by poor-quality materials in the electrical system or poor installation techniques in the construction.

• Low voltage will cause your appliances, heating and cooling system to work harder and consume more energy. This increases the home’s energy bill.
• Low voltage can also increase the heat in large components, such as motors and compressors. Heat is an enemy of efficient electrical functions, as it can “burn” the copper windings, the portion of a motor that creates energy. The additional strain shortens the useful life of these components.

$10,000 Risk? Why Whole-House Surge Protection Beats Emergency Electrical Repair

The cost for repairs from damage sustained during power surges or power outages can range between a couple of hundred dollars for a circuit board replacement to $5,000 to $10,000 for a full system replacement.

Preventative care is available from your trusted electrical contractor. Talk with your electrician about the possibility of installing:

• A surge protector for the dedicated circuit that powers your heating and air conditioning system.
• A surge protector that protects the entire home’s electrical wiring system and all the other appliances and devices in the home.
• A whole-house generator with a transfer switch, to provide a near-seamless flow of power during an outage

AirPro Houston: Safeguard Your Home from Power Surges with Expert Electrical Repair Protection

Don’t wait for a power surge to inflict thousands of dollars in damage on your expensive HVAC system. Protect your home’s most vital components and avoid the stress of emergency electrical repair with a whole-house surge protector installation. AirPro Houston has four decades of experience as the trusted experts in Cypress and Northwest Houston, providing the preventative solutions you need. Call AirPro Houston today at 281-880-8805 to schedule an appointment and safeguard your home’s power system.