Protecting Your HVAC Unit from Power Surges & Lightning Strikes

A burnt electrical component of an HVAC system

In our electronics heavy society today, losing the use of our devices becomes an expensive and inconvenient adjustment in our lives. Many of us have experienced the loss of our hard drives or cell phones, which never seems to happen at a convenient time. That’s why we spend extra money for cloud storage, anti-virus or security suites, and surge protectors for every electronic gadget designed to keep us connected to the world. And, as much as the loss of these devices can impact us, none can match the economic and comfort impact the loss of an AC compressor can have after a thunderstorm.

We understand how susceptible our TVs, computers, stereos, and other portable devices can be due to their sensitivity to fluctuations in the electrical current. But we don’t really understand the electronic complexity that new air conditioning systems have and how vulnerable they can be to power surges until, typically, it’s too late. We see the well designed and sturdily built outside unit withstanding the heat of the summer months, the freeze of the winter, and the pounding of the rains, never imagining a bump in the electrical current can shut it down.

A lightning strike hitting an HVAC unit

When we consider power surges, we quite naturally think of lightning strikes and thunderstorms. But while lightning is the most noticeable cause for damage to our systems, it’s the smaller (unknown to you), consistent daily surges from the local power plants, downed power lines and maintenance, and nearby factories that cause most of the immediate damage. Or, at the very least, these sources slowly wear down your heating and air conditioning system and other electronic devices in your home.

Shielding Your AC Unit from Electrical Harm

Protection for your AC unit is no different than the steps we take to protect the smaller electronic devices we have in the home. Adding surge protection to your heating and air conditioning system can lower or eliminate the threat of damage due to power surges.

Surge protectors monitor the incoming current. They detect when an unsafe upsurge in current happens. It then diverts the current to ground preventing the excess current from damaging electronic components and circuitry, saving expensive repair or replacement.

Do you need surge protection for your AC unit? Bitter can provide a state of the art surge protector with professional installation that can help keep your system protected from the onslaught of lightning or the inconsistencies of the power grid. Call us at (225) 500-2035 today, or use an online contact form.

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