Can Low Voltage Damage Your Air Conditioner?

Your HVAC system consumes the vast majority of electricity compared to other appliances and devices in your home. You also paid top dollar to purchase and install it. So, like any discerning Dayton property owner, you want to protect it from irreparable damage. 

Can low voltage damage an air conditioner? The short answer is yes, but that damage may not immediately surface. A1 Mechanical, your trusted source for HVAC repair in Dayton, Ohio, examines how this electrical issue can gradually degrade your cooling system below. 

What Exactly Does Low Voltage Mean?

Every property’s electrical network has a standard voltage level to supply sufficient, safe power levels to all appliances and devices. Voltage fluctuations interrupt normalcy and cause aberrations in performance and service. High voltage from a lightning bolt or sudden power surge can give your HVAC system too much power at one time and may cause sudden, permanent system failures. 

Meanwhile, low voltage does the opposite. It starves the system of the required power to fuel its operations. At best, low voltage disrupts your cycle. At worst, it can damage internal mechanisms, especially when the problem frequently recurs. 

What Causes Low Voltage in HVAC Systems?

When can low voltage damage your air conditioner? Poor voltage develops under the following circumstances:

• Power line problems: Poor grid regulation, transformer issues, or frayed lines are external concerns that may lower the incoming voltage. 
• Competing appliances: If you use other power-hungry appliances, you’ve inadvertently given your HVAC system some competition, especially if your property’s electrical network cannot support them all. 
• Damaged wiring: Loose or frayed wires may interrupt the electrical flow, causing sudden voltage drops when disturbed. 
• Circuit overload: If you plug numerous devices into the same circuit as your HVAC system, it creates another competitive circumstance that affects AC unit efficiency.

Many voltage concerns occur internally, as power grid failures are rare in Dayton, Ohio. Now, how exactly do they affect your HVAC system presently and in the long term? 

How Can Low Voltage Damage Your Air Conditioner?

When the wrong voltage reaches any of your electrical components, damage can render the most essential (and expensive) HVAC parts useless. You might face a replacement service long before your air conditioner would otherwise expire. Let’s examine which pieces are most affected by poor voltage in your building. 

Motor Burnout

HVAC motors already warm up when they operate during cooling cycles. However, they never overheat because they can access the correct electric supply. Your blower motor must work much harder to draw sufficient energy when the voltage drops, increasing its temperature. 

The blower motor should last up to 20 years, at least meeting the expected lifespan of your whole system. When it operates on low voltage, it may only perform for five to 10 years until it burns out. 

Capacitor Problems

The capacitor stores electricity for the motor to draw upon during the next cycle’s startup. So you can imagine how low power flow will affect this component. Can low voltage damage your air conditioner?

Well, it can certainly set the stage for a capacitor malfunction or failure. The capacitor is designed to draw sufficient electricity within a set amount of time. When the voltage drops, the part gathers electricity for longer periods. It might take longer and longer to juice the air conditioner or stop working completely because the dielectric substances degrade too quickly. 

Compressor Failure

The compressor condenses refrigerant as much as possible to increase its temperature for speedy heat transfer. It also aids in removing liquid condensation for the evaporation process. Like the capacitor and blower motor, this component will work much harder to square away its electrical supply to meet its functional demands. 

Eventually, you’ll face a compressor failure, which manifests as:

• Poor airflow from vents
• Discomfort throughout the building
• Rattling or grinding noises
• Excessively expensive utility bills

Damaged Wiring

When the air conditioner demands more electricity than the system can supply, it can overheat the air conditioning wiring and melt the coating. The exposed wiring can weaken from moisture corrosion. The connection becomes unstable as a result, which may further lower your HVAC’s voltage. 

What Can You Do To Avoid HVAC Damage If the Voltage Drops?

Power supply issues can arise inside your home or business or from the external power grid. Therefore, you don’t always have control over every electronic problem you encounter. However, once you become aware of a rising issue, you can mitigate it before it incurs significant damage or poses a threat to your property. 

Electrical Updates

Do the voltage drops affect more than your HVAC system? Consider when you scheduled your last electrical inspection and upgrade service. You might need an electrician to update the panel or add more circuit switches to your circuit board.

Various municipalities and states pass new electrical codes each year. Plus, most homes or businesses need upgrade services every 25 years anyway.  

Voltage Stabilizers

These devices provide a sustained voltage level, no matter what happens. They assess the incoming voltage to output the desired level regardless of rises and falls. It’s a great way to protect sensitive appliances and electronics from sudden voltage dips, including your HVAC system. 

Surge Protectors

A surge protector can maintain a stable incoming voltage as well. However, most devices operate only when you need them, such as during power outages and surges. Both circumstances can cause dramatic dips and spikes in incoming volts. 

Annual Tune-Ups

Finally, the voltage issues might be a localized HVAC problem, especially if particular components are under- or overperforming. HVAC technicians test system voltage, check wires, and measure amperage. If they detect an electrical concern during their inspections, they’ll either fix it on the spot or let you know the next steps to take. 

Talk to A1 Mechanical About Your Voltage Concerns in Dayton, Ohio

Can low voltage damage an air conditioner? It absolutely can, and eventually, your AC unit won’t power up because of a failing capacitor, compressor, or motor. A1 Mechanical offers comprehensive maintenance and repair services for homes and businesses in Dayton, Ohio. Call 937-865-2325 to book a service with our crew.