How to Reduce HVAC System Downtime

Climate control is an often overlooked, but is an essential element of modern life. From keeping us comfortable in our homes to powering industries like food processing and pharmaceuticals, we depend on HVAC systems to function in almost any climate. Sometimes, it isn’t until one of these systems fail that we realize how much we take indoor heating and cooling for granted.

Another overlooked fact of HVAC systems is that they tend to be one of the largest energy expenses of any home or business. In fact, air conditioners use about 6% of all the electricity produced in the United States. As such, HVAC systems are vulnerable to damaging power surges and spikes, which can take a system out of service over time or all at once. Power disruptions are a leading contributor of HVAC system downtime, causing damage to costly equipment and interrupting daily life.

HVAC System Downtime Has High Costs

For homeowners, a failed HVAC system could be enough to warrant staying in a hotel until the problem is rectified. Frozen pipes and mold caused by unregulated humidity and temperatures are also potentially costly for owners. In industrial applications, the implications of a non-functioning HVAC system are much more serious. Some businesses will suspend operations if they are unable to provide comfortable, safe working temperatures for their employees. For industries requiring temperature and humidity control as a function of business, operations can grind to a complete halt.

Read How DITEK’s Kool Guard Voltage Monitoring Gave “Peace of Mind” to This Tampa Family

In any case, HVAC system downtime can lead to losses in finance, additional infrastructure, employee satisfaction, brand reputation, and more. Ensuring heating and cooling systems are always receiving reliable power should be top of mind for any home or business owner looking to stay comfortable (and profitable) year-round. Here are 4 strategies for reducing downtime on HVAC systems:

1. Invest in Surge Protection

Surge protection helps to ensure your HVAC system is not impacted by common power disruptions caused by lightning, nearby equipment, or utility grid switching. Even the motors and pumps that are part of an HVAC system can cause damaging surges. Installing surge protection for HVAC systems requires a layered approach with devices ideally located at the electrical service entrance, the HVAC electrical disconnect, and thermostat wires to ensure complete protection. Voltage monitoring devices are additionally designed to protect HVAC equipment from harmful undervoltage and overvoltage events that can damage sensitive electronic components within the system.

Insurance policies and HVAC equipment warranties do not typically cover damage caused by power surges and spikes, leaving home and business owners to cover the cost of system repair and/or replacement, on top of costs due to downtime. The price of voltage monitoring and surge protection is typically less than the sales tax on an HVAC system, making protection affordable and accessible. Investing in voltage monitoring and surge protection for your HVAC system is a no-brainer that can save your system from costly downtime and increase its lifespan.

Discover the Best Practices in Surge Protection for HVAC Systems Here

2. Consider a Secured Backup Power Generator

HVAC system failure can also be caused by loss of utility power. In this case a backup generator can keep your system and other electrical devices operating during an unexpected power outage. However, like HVAC systems, backup generators are made up of complex components that similarly require surge protection to ensure proper function. For example, an automatic transfer switch (ATS) automatically engages the backup when an outage is detected. If an ATS suffers damage from a power surge in any given direction, the ATS may be unable to perform its power transfer functions, causing the connected HVAC system to experience downtime if not manually rectified.

3. Ensure Ongoing Protection

It is important to ensure the ongoing function of your HVAC system and its backup power generator. Surge protective devices (SPDs) will self-sacrifice to protect their connected equipment, often without notice. This can happen all at once in the event of a severe power surge, or it can happen over time as smaller surges gradually degrade sensitive internal components. A routine inspection schedule can help identify any SPDs that need replacing.

How to Know When Your Surge Protector Has Reached End of Life

4. Choose the Right Provider

Just as you would invest in the long-term function of your HVAC system, you also want to invest in the products protecting these systems. Reducing HVAC downtime via surge protection and voltage monitoring starts by working with a trusted partner. Products manufactured in the USA using cutting-edge technologies, and backed by comprehensive warranties are an indicator of quality and trust.