Summer is here and air conditioners are running 24/7. This can cause electrical grids to max out and lead to power surges. If you’re worried about the damage these surges can cause to your air conditioner and other electronics in your home there are steps you can take to prepare for these surges. A power surge is a sudden increase in voltage that greatly exceeds the standard 120-volt flow or electricity that enters a building. The first thing that comes to mind as to what causes them is lightning but there are smaller, daily surges that aren’t as dramatic as lighting that cause issues 80 percent of the time. These include downed power lines due to storms or car accidents, fluctuating demands for power can cause over voltages from utility companies, errors made during power line maintenance and fluctuating demands from the appliances in your home.

Do I Need a Surge Protector for My Air Conditioner

Power surges can cause your air conditioner to stop working. Lightning strikes can send a jolt to your heart the same way a sudden surge of electricity can carry thousands or tens of thousands of volts through your homes wiring. When this happens, the appliances, electronics and your HVAC system are more vulnerable to the damage caused by power surges. To prevent damage, you can use surge protectors. Plug electricity-powered electronics into surge protectors. Most of us already know that this protects our investment. Ordinary power strips are different than surge protectors so you need to make sure you aren’t just using glorified extension cords. They need to be surge protectors. You can also use whole-house surge protectors. This option safeguards the wiring in the entire house from the damage that can be caused by power surges. It protects the hard drive of your computer from external power surges to your central AC. Think of it as an internal safeguard for the device in your home from the sudden increase in voltage from you air conditioner, blow dryer microwave vacuum cleaner every time you turn them on.

Reduce Your Energy Consumption at Home

Limiting your power consumption will lower the strain on the electrical grid, not to mention lowering your energy bills. How can you get the best of both worlds?
1. Reduce the amount of time you run the air conditioner. Try and have it set to 78 degrees and run a fan to help keep things cool. You can put a damp towel on your neck and dress for the weather to stay cool.
2. Lower heat gain from the outside. The sun shining in from windows will make you home warmer so keep the drapes closed all day and seal cracks around windows and doors to keep hot air out.
3. Keep indoor temperatures low. If you can help it don’t use appliances during the day. Run energy hungry, heat producing appliances like the stove, oven, the dryer or the dishwasher at night when the demand for cool air drops.
4. Utilize natural cooling. If it cools off enough at night open the windows to pull cooler air in and close them in them in the morning to trap the cool air. If you have a basement then spend time down there during the day when it’s hot outside.

HVAC Services in Springfield, Granby, Holyoke, South Hadley, Monson, Chicopee & Agawam Massachusetts

Installing whole house surge protectors and plugging devices into surge protectors is the easiest way to prevent tripped breakers and broken air conditioners. Contact Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning to learn more about the importance of surge protection. If it’s too late and you’ve fallen victim to a damaging summer power surge then call them to repair your air conditioner!