A power surge is an abrupt rise in electrical voltage that can severely impact the functioning of your air conditioner. Modern AC units are particularly sensitive to power fluctuations, so even minor fluctuations can have lasting repercussions and cause decreased efficiency or system failure. While surge damage can be costly, there are permanent solutions you can add to your home that can protect against surges.
A surge protector can protect against this damage by acting as a pass-through for electricity to your devices and routing any excess energy directly into the grounding wire. When an electrical surge occurs, the surge protector sends any extra voltage directly to its respective breaker box to cut off power and prevent overheating electrical components.
There are multiple forms of surge protection you can install at home and specifically designed devices to safeguard air conditioners available; whole home devices should be installed near its main breaker panel as well as those specifically tailored to air conditioner units.
Though you could plug your air conditioner directly into a surge protector, for best results it is wiser to have a professional install one at the service disconnect of your HVAC system. This ensures that it fits seamlessly with the amount of power required by your AC unit and can handle its needs effectively.
An AC surge protector can be an excellent investment in your home as it will not only shield its electronic components from fluctuations caused by power surges but will also extend their lifespan. Power surges may result from lightning strikes or power grid fluctuations – events not covered by homeowner insurance policies or equipment warranties but covered by surge protectors that provide extra layers of protection that could save you money down the line.
When purchasing a surge protector, ensure it has a UL 1449 rating to provide proper protection. In addition, check its Joule rating which shows how much of a power surge it will absorb before shutting off. Finally, pay attention to response time which indicates how quickly your protector responds to spikes in voltage; the faster its response time is the greater protection it will offer.
Though there are numerous power strip surge protectors on the market, it’s essential to recognize their limited protection for air conditioners. Air conditioning draws an enormous amount of power which could easily overload or even start a fire if left unsecured against an overload situation. When searching for surge protection solutions in Spring Valley, Paradise, or Henderson Nevada be sure to reach out to a professional who can recommend the appropriate device.