Home AC Repair Service | Protect Your Air Conditioning From Power Surges

Home AC Repair Service | Protect Your Air Conditioning From Power Surges

Most of the time, we take extra care in protecting our expensive and valuable electronics and appliances. But somehow we do not put much thought in protecting our home air conditioner service or the overall HVAC system in the house or business. Like these expensive and valuable things we own, we should add equal care to our home AC and repair service, which is considered one of our major comfort investments.

Did you know that there is one silent culprit that could slowly kill your home AC? If you read our past post at aamarthedal.com/block-pests-from-entering-your-ac-ductwork, you might say bugs… but there is a worse culprit!  Have you heard about power surges?

A power surge is defined as a very brief electrical spike that occurs on power lines, telephone lines, and cables. Surges usually occur when something triggers the rise in the electrical charge flowing into a business or home’s electrical wiring which affects the lighting, appliances, and other electrical equipment inside. It can range from a very minimal spike like when you turn on your hair dryer (about 5-10 volts) or when lightning strikes a transformer (we’re talking about thousands of volts here).

What Causes A Power Surge?

There are many causes in the interruption of electrical supply in households and businesses. Depending on its nature and magnitude, these surges can cause serious damage to your appliances. In some cases it can fry internal chips and wiring and burn out expensive equipment. It can also lead to electrical fires which could burn down your house, putting you and your family in danger.

This is why sudden changes in the flow and supply of electricity should be taken seriously. So pay attention and know the most common cause of power spike. Keep your eyes, ears, and nose on the lookout for:

• Downed power lines;
• Power outages;
• Lightning storms;
• Faulty/damaged electrical wiring;
• The smell of burning plastic or rubber;
• Sparks coming from any electrical device;
• Appliances cycling on and off;
• Bad/aging electrical components;
• Power plant maintenance;

Protect Your Home Air Conditioning Service

You probably don’t want to have to hire an emergency home AC repair service contractor when your unit begins to fail or show major signs of damage due to frequent electrical fluctuation (which you may not realize is causing the damage). Your cooling unit – even your furnace which is electrical equipment too – has several components that are sensitive to repeated spikes and fluctuation. Signs of damage may not show up right away, but over time it can wear down your system, which could lead to part replacements earlier than expected or planned.

It’s also important to know that there are two types of voltage surges:

1.Internal. This is a more common occurrence in households. This usually happens when devices with motors suddenly start up or shut off, rerouting electricity to and from other electronic equipment.

2. External. The simplest and most common example of this type is a tree branch touching a power line or a small animal getting into a transformer. Also, an external surge can happen when the power comes back after an outage.

With so many different contributing variables, learning how to protect your home air conditioning service will help protect your investment and preserve the longevity of your unit. Here are a few things to consider to protect your possessions:

Unplug electronics and devices during a storm.

Lighting strikes aren’t so common in California, but when it happens, it can leave devastating aftermath. The surest way to protect your things is to unplug or disconnect devices from their electrical source. And when you see a storm about to hit, shut down and unplug any electronic devices you won’t need right then… especially valuable devices like TVs, stereos, computers, etc.

Check the wiring on your house.

Damaged or faulty wiring is one of the main causes of electric fluctuation. It will help you secure the entire property if you hire an electrician to conduct a thorough inspection of your electrical wiring, especially if your house is older than 10 years.

Install surge protectors.

Surge protectors are devices installed between your equipment and their power sources. They mainly monitor the flow of electricity, and when a spike occurs, they block the excess energy from reaching the appliance either by blocking the excess charge. shorting to ground, or blowing a fuse.

Hire a professional HVAC contractor.

A newer AC is more efficient in many ways than one. Consider installing a new unit with the help of a professional contractor. This investment won’t just help you save on energy consumption, newer units are less likely to cause voltage spike in your home.

At Marthedal Solar, Air & Heating, we do not just install equipment for your California heating and cooling services. We make sure you get the most of your investment through preventive maintenance and timely home AC repair service. Talk to us soon to learn more about your cooling unit and its internal wiring process. Learn more about our Fresno AC installation services at http://aamarthedal.com/fresno-hvac/

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