Power surges are more common than most homeowners realize, especially during the intense summer weather in Plant City. While many people associate power surges with lightning strikes, problems in the electrical grid or inside your own home can also cause short bursts of high voltage. These quick jolts put strain on anything plugged into your electrical system, and one of the biggest assets at risk is your AC.
An air conditioning system is a large investment and something you count on daily during the summer months. When a power surge hits, it can damage parts of the unit you don’t usually think about until the cold air stops flowing. That’s why understanding how surges work, how they damage your AC, and what can be done to help prevent these issues is so important. A little preparation ahead of time can help keep your home comfortable and cool when it matters most.
What Is A Power Surge?
A power surge is a sudden spike in voltage that moves through your electrical system. These surges typically last just a few milliseconds but can deliver enough energy to overload or damage electrical components. Most homes are wired for a standard voltage level, and when that level jumps unexpectedly, it can cause wear or even immediate failure to devices that are plugged in.
Not all surges come from lightning, though that’s one of the more severe sources. Other common causes include:
1. Downed power lines in your area
2. Electrical grid problems or switching errors
3. Household appliances powering on and off, especially those with motors, like refrigerators
4. Faulty wiring or overloaded circuits inside your home
Power surges run through everything wired into your electrical system. That includes computers, TVs, appliances, and your heating and cooling equipment. While many electronics come with basic surge protection, AC systems usually depend on external precautions that need to be installed separately.
How Power Surges Damage Your AC
When a surge travels through your wiring, it doesn’t just affect what’s immediately connected to the outlet. Your AC unit is wired into your home’s system, which means it’s directly exposed to surges, including ones caused by other appliances in the house. Even short voltage spikes can damage internal parts of the unit.
Some of the most vulnerable components inside an AC include:
1. The compressor motor
2. Capacitors
3. Control board and fuses
4. Thermostat connection points
Each of these parts plays a central role in your system’s ability to cool your home. When they become damaged, you may not notice problems right away. The damage can be slow and build up over time or, in a worst-case scenario, cause your unit to stop working entirely. One example is a home in Plant City that experienced a strong power surge during a summer storm. The AC still ran but couldn’t cool properly. After closer inspection, a damaged capacitor and fried circuit board were found, both of which had to be replaced.
Common signs you may be dealing with surge-related damage include:
– AC stops turning on suddenly
– Odd smells or burnt wiring odor near the outdoor unit
– Circuit breaker for your AC trips repeatedly
– Thermostat stops responding or goes blank
If any of these red flags show up after a storm or electrical issue, it’s best to have the unit checked shortly after rather than waiting for more damage to occur. Regular inspections and professional AC tune-ups in Plant City often catch early signs of surge-related problems before they lead to major repairs.
Preventive Measures To Protect Your AC
When it comes to power surges, prevention starts with installing the right protection equipment for your home. AC units are more exposed than most homeowners realize, which makes it even more important to take steps that lower the risks ahead of time. A strong surge protector can act as a barrier between the burst of voltage and your system’s most sensitive parts.
There are two types of protection usually used for AC systems:
1. Plug-in surge protectors, which are limited and mainly suited for small appliances
2. Whole-house surge protection, which is installed directly at the electrical panel and helps defend the entire home
Whole-house protection offers broader defense for every appliance connected to your home’s wiring, including your AC. These systems help gather and divert excess voltage before it can reach the unit and cause damage. Whenever a surge happens, from a lightning storm or a faulty appliance switching on, the surge protector kicks in immediately to manage the flow.
Aside from hardware, here are everyday steps to reduce the chances of damage:
– Schedule regular AC maintenance to check the wiring, capacitors, and electrical connections
– Keep tree limbs trimmed away from overhead power lines
– Replace or repair faulty outlets and plugs inside the home
– Avoid overloading power strips or plugging too many high-draw devices into one outlet
Surge protectors won’t prevent all damage, especially if they’re outdated or improperly installed. That’s why routine inspections should include a review of the current protection in place. Our technicians often find homes in Plant City where the protector stopped working years ago, and no one noticed until a problem showed up in the AC.
What To Do If A Power Surge Damages Your AC
If you believe your AC was damaged immediately after a surge, the first thing to do is power down the unit from the thermostat and the breaker box. Unplug nearby electronics and allow time for things to settle. Once it’s safe, check your AC for any unusual sounds, smells, or failure to power back on.
Do not attempt to open or test any electrical components yourself. Damage inside the unit isn’t always visible and sometimes only appears during operation. Let our professionals inspect the equipment with the right tools to determine what needs repair or replacement. Common fixes range from replacing capacitors or a control board to more complex rewiring if the surge reached multiple components.
In many cases, surge-related damage builds up over time. If your AC starts short-cycling, showing error codes, or losing cooling power after a storm, get your system checked. Our technicians have seen many cases in Plant City where a small electrical issue turned into a larger system failure because it went unnoticed for weeks.
Routine AC tune-ups in Plant City are a strong part of prevention. During these visits, our technicians test electrical components and check for wear or signal faults. These checks often catch early signs of voltage damage before it leads to a full breakdown. Waiting too long can increase repair costs or leave your space without cooling when you need it most.
Keeping Your AC Safe In Plant City
When dealing with extreme weather and power surges, the best approach is to stay ahead of the problem. Summer heat in Plant City keeps AC systems working around the clock, and any setback can disrupt comfort and increase expenses. Protecting the unit with a surge protection system and having it inspected regularly can go a long way in avoiding sudden failures.
Staying alert to the warning signs matters just as much as preparation. If your system isn’t responding like it used to or if something seems off after a lightning storm, it’s important to act quickly. Our professionals can help figure out the issue and fix damage before it spreads further through the unit.
Power surges don’t always leave behind obvious damage, but the impact can build up silently inside your system. Regular maintenance, paired with electrical protection, offers the best route to keeping your AC efficient and in working condition during peak summer months. For homeowners in Plant City, it’s a simple step that helps avoid needless interruption and expensive repair calls.
If your AC isn’t cooling properly after a surge or you suspect components may be compromised, consider scheduling an AC tune-up in Plant City to catch issues early and avoid larger problems during the summer heat. At Creamer AC, our professionals offer careful inspections and prompt repairs to help maintain system reliability and comfort, ensuring that minor concerns do not become major disruptions. For a quick estimate or to book a service visit, please contact us today.
