Power outages are more common in Southern California than most people realize — and they can damage your HVAC system if you're not prepared. Here's what to do.
Southern California's power grid faces increasing stress from extreme heat events, wildfires, and aging infrastructure. Power outages — both planned (PSPS events from utilities) and unplanned — are a reality for homeowners across Temecula, Murrieta, and the Inland Empire. Your HVAC system is one of the appliances most vulnerable to power-related damage.
The Risk: Power Surges
The most common HVAC damage from power events doesn't happen during the outage — it happens when power is restored. The surge of electricity when power comes back on can damage sensitive electronic components in your system, particularly the control board, capacitors, and compressor.
What to Do During an Outage
Turn off your HVAC system at the thermostat as soon as you lose power. Don't just let it sit in the off state because the power is out — actively switch the thermostat to "off." This prevents the system from attempting to start when power is restored, giving you control over when it restarts.
Turn off the circuit breaker for your HVAC system if you know the outage may last more than a few minutes. This provides additional protection against surge damage when power returns.
When Power Returns
Wait 5–10 minutes after power is restored before turning your HVAC system back on. This allows voltage to stabilize. Then restore power at the breaker first, wait a minute, and then turn the thermostat back on.
Surge Protection
A whole-house surge protector installed at your electrical panel provides significant protection for all your appliances, including your HVAC system. For HVAC-specific protection, a dedicated surge protector can be installed directly on the unit. Given the cost of replacing a compressor or control board ($500–$2,500), surge protection is a worthwhile investment.
On Time Home Services can install surge protection for your HVAC system. Call us at (951) 277-6895 to learn more, or request a free quote. We serve Temecula, Lake Elsinore, and all of Southwest Riverside County.
