How to Protect Your HVAC System From Power Surges in the Summer

Fans, cold drinks and ice cream may not be enough to keep yourself cool on a white-hot summer day in Ohio. Most of the time, having a cool and comfortable home calls for a cranked-up air conditioner. Along with higher monthly bills, however, this comes with another huge drawback–additional stress on your home’s electrical system. Excess stress can increase the risk of power surges, which can ‘fry’ the circuits of your electrical appliances, causing breakdowns at the very least and irreparable damage at worst. The negative effects of a power surge aren’t limited to tablets, smartphones, PCs and other technology–it can also cause problems with your heating and cooling system.

If you want to keep your HVAC system in good condition you need to learn more about how power surges can affect your HVAC system and take steps to protect it. One of the leading heating and air conditioning maintenance companies in the area, Cafco Services, shares what you need to know below.

Power Surges & How They Affect Your HVAC System

Power surges occur when a higher demand for energy leads to a brief spike in the flow of electricity. They’re more common in the summer because the increased need for home cooling leads people to run appliances, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, at peak capacity, causing the home’s electrical system to work overtime. This extra power disrupts the usually steady flow of electricity, which in turn triggers an energy spike.

However, higher cooling demand isn’t the only cause of power surges. Thunderstorms are also more prevalent during the summer. There’s a chance that a stray bolt of lighting can strike your home or a nearby power line, upsetting the voltage current of your electrical system and provoking a power surge. Given how your HVAC system has many sensitive electrical components, a power surge can damage them instantly.

A power surge will either result in the immediate failure of your HVAC system or lead to a slow, steady breakdown due to constant abuse. The latter may be tricky to determine since the deterioration isn’t always obvious. Depending on the severity, the solution may either be an extensive HVAC repair or a replacement.

What You Can Do

Prevention and careful preparation are crucial if you want to ensure your HVAC system is protected against power surges. The good news is that this task is simple enough once you know what to do. For instance, you can:

Plug your HVAC system into a surge protector. This way, in the event of a power surge, the surge protector can divert excess electricity to the outlet’s ground wire, preventing damage to your HVAC system.

Think about having whole-house surge protection. Surge protectors may not be powerful enough to handle a power surge to your HVAC system and provide only limited protection. That’s why you should consider getting whole-house surge protection. Before making the purchase, however, you should check in with your local HVAC repair and maintenance company, Cafco Services, to determine whether this is a viable option for your home.

Limit your energy consumption. This is probably the simplest way to protect your HVAC system from power surges, and it also offers the bonus of keeping your energy costs to a minimum. Here’s what to do:

• Run your air conditioner less. If it won’t bother you too much, you have the option of setting your thermostat to 78 degrees and trying to keep cool using electric fans.

• Avoid letting in heat from outside. This means closing the curtains to limit solar heat gain. If feasible, you can also plant trees on the west and south sides of your home to provide some much-needed shade.

• Use heat-generating appliances only at night. These include dryers, ovens, stoves and dishwashers. Using them at night is better since there’s less demand for cooling and electricity rates are lower at this time. Plus, they won’t contribute additional heat to your home during the day.

Exceptional HVAC Solutions by Cafco Services

Being prepared for summertime means taking a closer look at your HVAC system’s condition and taking measures to protect it from power surges. There are some tasks you can do yourself, but you should leave the more complex ones to a reliable, experienced company like Cafco Services. We’re not just one of the premier HVAC installation companies in the area–you can also count on us for comprehensive heating and air conditioning repair and maintenance solutions. We are:

• Credentialed. Cafco Services has all the necessary credentials to make us eligible to perform residential HVAC and commercial refrigeration work in the Tri-State area. You’ll have greater peace of mind knowing that you’ll be working with a professional who can effectively meet your HVAC/R needs. You just need to reach out and we’ll help you get started on your heating or cooling upgrade.

• Experienced. For over 70 years, Cafco Services has served homeowners and property managers in and around Cincinnati, OH, by providing the highest-quality HVAC/R products and solutions. As one of the area’s top HVAC installation companies, we can match you with the product that best suits your space and needs, whether it be a home, business, medical facility or industrial complex. For top-tier solutions that can make your space thermally comfortable and energy efficient no matter the season, you need not look any further. If you need repairs or maintenance, we can help you with that, as well.

• Proven Reliable. Cafco Services provides only the highest standard in customer service. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With our quick-response team, we’ll take care of any HVAC emergencies you may have this season to ensure you can maintain a comfortable home environment. Whether you need power surge protection for your HVAC system or your system repaired after the fact, all you need to do is call. You can count on us for excellent service–the 5-star local reviews from satisfied clients and our A%20 Rating with the Better Business Bureau® say a lot about our workmanship quality.

As one of the area’s most trusted heating and air conditioning maintenance companies, Cafco Services is committed to delivering only the best results. With our comprehensive preventive maintenance program, we’ll make sure your HVAC system is running smoothly and efficiently this summer. Call us today at (513) 242-3400 or fill out this contact form to schedule your consultation. We serve Cincinnati, OH, and the rest of the Tri-State area, and we’d love to hear from you!