If you have a faulty air conditioner that needs professional expertise, call the BVS Home Experts team at (281) 809-6417.
Living in the modern era means that you rely on a lot of technology every day. To protect your electronic appliances and devices from power surges, you probably use surge protectors. But can a power surge damage an air conditioner?
Today, air conditioners and other HVAC systems use advanced technology to provide more efficient cooling for your home. As such, you may wonder whether you need to protect your air conditioner from power surges.
As Katy’s top-rated AC company, BVS knows how important it is to keep your home’s most valuable appliances protected, especially those that keep your home comfortable. Below, we explain how power surges can affect your air conditioner and how you can make sure you protect all of your most valuable electrical systems.
What Are Power Surges?
If you’re at all familiar with power surges, you probably think that lightning strikes are the primary (or only) cause. But power surges can actually occur for lots of different reasons.
Basically, a power surge is any sort of spike in your home’s electrical current. Although a surge is relatively short, lasting only about a thousandth of a second, it can do a lot of damage to any devices you have plugged into your home’s power system.
What a lot of people don’t realize is that a power surge can be the result of an internal issue, not just a thunder and lightning storm. For instance, if you have an older home, you could have faulty wiring that causes a power surge from the inside. This can happen at any moment, making it crucial for you to use surge protection around your home.
But do you need surge protection for your air conditioner?
How Does a Power Surge Affect Your Air Conditioner?
So can a power surge damage an air conditioner? After all, you plug your cooling system into your home’s power supply.
The short answer is yes; if you have a modern air conditioner that has electrical internal components, then a power surge could potentially damage it.
Today’s air conditioning manufacturers design AC systems to handle around 120 volts of electricity. So while a power surge won’t always necessarily damage your air conditioner, it is definitely possible for lightning storms or other disasters to create a surge big enough to do so.
For instance, if lightning strikes a power line or near one, it can send up to 1 million volts of electricity through your house, leading to burned compressors, wires, and AC capacitors. This can affect your indoor air quality and overall comfort.
Something important for you to keep in mind is that if a power surge from a lightning storm damages your air conditioner, your warranty likely won’t cover it. So it’s important to have the proper protection in place to make sure an unexpected power surge won’t take out your AC unit.
How Can You Protect Your AC From a Power Surge?
Now that you know the answer to “Can a power surge damage an air conditioner?” you’re probably wondering, “How can I protect my air conditioner from a power surge?”
First, you should know that you can’t use a typical surge protector for your air conditioning system. Surge protectors are ideal for low-voltage systems like computers, televisions, etc. Since your air conditioner uses higher voltage, you need what’s called a surge arrestor.
A surge arrestor is essentially a surge protector for your high-voltage systems and appliances. You can install a whole-home arrestor by your electric meter for maximum surge protection. When you install a whole-home surge arrestor, you protect all of your electrical appliances and devices.
Don’t have a surge arrestor but expect a lightning storm soon? You can protect your air conditioner by turning it off during the storm. Although, this isn’t always ideal, especially since Texas can have some pretty hot days, even when the rain comes.
Did Your Home Experience a Power Surge?
So you know that a power surge can affect your air conditioner and how to protect it, but how do you know if you already had a power surge?
While some power surges are obvious, like those that happen during a lightning storm or when a tree falls on a power line, others can fly under the radar, leaving you none the wiser.
Here are a few indications that your home recently experienced a power surge:
- You have tripped circuit breakers.
- The outlets are hot.
- You have failing electrical devices.
- Your digital clocks are flashing, typically with the wrong time.
- The lights in your home are dimming or flickering.
- Your home’s outlets are buzzing.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential that you call a professional electrician right away. Electrical work is dangerous, especially for those who don’t know what they’re doing. So if you suspect you had an electrical surge or have any other electrical issues, let a trained expert handle the repairs for you.
Let Professional Electricians Tackle Your Electrical Problems
Your home’s electrical system is very complex, requiring a trained eye and the right equipment for any type of repairs or services. When you need an experienced professional, contact our team at BVS Home Experts.
We know that electrical problems, especially when it comes to your air conditioner, are frustrating and often confusing. Our trusted techs go through meticulous training and have years of experience repairing all kinds of AC problems, so you can be confident that we can fix the problem in a timely manner.
So can a power surge damage an air conditioner? Yes, which is why you should consider installing a whole-home surge arrestor. If a power surge takes out your air conditioner, we can help you get it back on track.
Whether your AC is not blowing cold air or it won’t turn on at all, BVS Home Experts can help. Call us at (281) 809-6417 to get started and schedule a service in Katy or nearby areas.
Author Bio:
Ronald Via
Ronald is one of the key contributors to BVS Home Experts, a family-owned and operated full-service air conditioning and heating company serving the Katy and West Houston areas. With a deep understanding of air conditioning and heating concerns, Ronald brings a wealth of knowledge to our readers.
