Black-outs and Brown-outs are an annoying reminder of our country’s vulnerable power grids, though you may also have vulnerabilities within your home’s electrical power system. You likely already use surge protectors to protect your computers, flat-screen televisions, stereo, and other home entertainment equipment. But have you protected your expensive HVAC equipment with surge protectors?
What Causes Power Surges?
Power surges can be caused by lightening, power fluctuations in the grid, storms blowing down electric lines or electrical use in the home. This latter factor is the most common cause of power surges in a home. The dishwasher motor, A/C condenser motor, pool or well pumps, and washer or dryer motors all can cause power surges in your home. Because these appliances get used often, everything in your home may be subjected to surges quite frequently.
Why Protect Your HVAC System?
Your HVAC system is one of the most expensive items that you will purchase for your home. Power surges can damage your HVAC system’s electrical components as well as cause downtime for essential heating and cooling equipment. Surge protectors will help protect this important equipment.
Installing a Surge Protector
Installing a surge protector to your HVAC system is not complicated. Your HVAC technician can install a surge protector while he’s performing other maintenance on your system. By having an HVAC professional install dedicated surge protectors for HVAC systems, you ensure that it’s done correctly.
Some surge protectors for HVAC systems come with lifetime warranties and can handle up to 100,000 amps during a surge. Surge protectors are an inexpensive way to ensure your HVAC system is well protected from power surges.
For more information on HVAC systems and surge protectors, contact our professionals at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning. We’ve been serving residents in the Fresno area for nearly 40 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about surge protectors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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