Can a Summertime Power Surge Affect Your Air Conditioner?
Summer is only a few weeks away, and you’ve probably already started cranking up your air conditioner as the days become hotter. While turning it up may help make your home feel more comfortable, it also increases the risk of a power surge. In today’s post, HVAC and electric heater contractor Countryside Plumbing & Heating, Inc. shares a quick guide on how you can protect your appliances from a summertime power surge.
What Causes a Power Surge?
Most people are familiar with power surges that follow lightning strikes. While this is the most known cause, it’s not the only one. A power surge can also be caused by a downed power line, a grid malfunction or increased demand for electricity coming from home appliances. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to protect your home from power surges.
Use surge protectors. If you have to run several appliances at once, including utilities like a radiant heating system, then you need to use surge protectors. These are small devices that look like power adapters that should be plugged between the power outlet and an appliance or power strip. Some power strips also come with surge protection features, and are ideal for low-consumption devices like laptops and phone chargers. Make it a point to choose power strips with these features, otherwise you could start feeling a false sense of security.
Limit your use of grid-based power. You can also prevent summertime power surges by limiting your use of appliances at certain times, as well as look into long-term solutions like improving your home’s energy efficiency or investing in solar panel systems. The following best practices may also help:
Open your windows — Opening windows for ventilation on a windy day can help reduce your home’s cooling requirements and the corresponding output from your air conditioner. Ventilation can also help improve indoor air quality.
Add some shade — Close the curtains to reduce solar heat gain. Long-term solutions also include planting trees near the house to provide shade.
Reduce heat from the indoors — Use the range hood when cooking to reduce the heat coming from the kitchen. Also, plan to cook in the early morning or late afternoon to reduce heat buildup.
Keep up with HVAC maintenance — Properly-maintained air conditioners are more efficient and less likely to contribute to a power surge.
Call Countryside for All Your Heating and Cooling Needs
Countryside Plumbing & Heating, Inc. is your leading provider of heating and cooling services. To learn more about them, as well as find out about furnace prices, give us a call at (715) 246-2660. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
