Your air conditioner is one of the most powerful appliances serving your Fort Myers Beach home. Have you wrestled with the idea of plugging it into the same outlet as other electronic devices? Take care; this could cause damaging power surges.
You might think a power strip will help you avoid complications, but can you plug an air conditioner into a power strip safely? During Coral Air Conditioning’s AC services in Fort Myers Beach, FL, we’ve seen how sensitive HVAC electrical components can be. Below, our experts explain whether using protective measures will be enough to justify plugging your air conditioner into a power strip.
Should You Use a Surge Protector for AC Units in Fort Myers Beach? Yes!
A surge protector safeguards electronic devices from damage when there’s a sudden wave of excess electricity. Electrical overloads can occur suddenly, often due to electrical grid problems, damaged wires, or circuit overloads. When this happens, your property’s surge protector will absorb the extra current to protect anything connected to electricity.
Why might surge protection come in handy? Think of how much Fort Myers Beach residents use air conditioners to keep cool. Damage from overly powerful currents without a surge protector could mean a total cooling system shutdown or a seriously damaged circuit board or capacitor.
These systems are major property investments. Avoiding early replacements by installing a surge protector helps you save.
Should You Use Power Strips To Protect Air Conditioners? No!
Can you plug an air conditioner into a power strip? Technically, you could. However, typical strips just increase the number of outlets for a receptacle and aren’t equipped to absorb energy overloads like a surge protector.
Air conditioners are too powerful for standard strips. They’ll increase electrical fire hazards, especially if it’s a standard model with poor wattage compatibility. Even if a fire doesn’t occur, using inadequate strips to power an air conditioning unit could easily overload the circuit.
Power Strip vs. Outlet vs. Extension Cord: Which Is Best for Your HVAC?
Fort Myers Beach residents should consider installing surge protectors on their electrical panels to avoid the dangers of overloading power strips. That way, the cooling unit’s plug can go straight to the outlet while the air conditioner enjoys full electrical protection.
If you’re using a strip, it must be a heavy-duty accessory. The strip needs enough surge protection to accommodate the air conditioner’s electrical needs.
What happens if there isn’t a nearby outlet? In that case, you might consider using an extension cord, but that’s not ideal. Cooling units are high-powered appliances capable of burning off the rubber covering of most extension cords!
Modern central air conditioners may include interior surge protection, so you shouldn’t have to worry about them.
The Best Way To Plug ACs Into a Power Supply in Fort Myers Beach
Can you plug an air conditioner into a power strip? We’ve seen that the simple answer is no; the cooling unit should have a dedicated wall outlet. However, we also strongly recommend that you install a whole-house surge protector to safeguard your home’s cooling unit and other appliances.
If you’re using a power strip with surge protection and sufficient capacity, you might see it handle the appliance’s electrical load. Never use an extension cord, though.
What To Look For in a Power Strip That Will Safely Serve Your Air Conditioner
Shielding your HVAC from excess electricity means you can’t just plug it into a power strip. The accessory needs the right capabilities, so note the following details for both your cooling system and the power strip with surge protection:
- Voltage rating
- Wattage limit
- Amperage
The strip you purchase should have enough wattage and a high enough amperage and voltage rating to accommodate the air conditioner’s electrical load. You can also look for strips with labels explicitly stating they’re suitable for HVAC or consider systems with built-in circuit breakers.
If energy fluctuations cause too much energy to flow to a breaker, the device will automatically shut off. This type of feature offers outstanding protection for cooling systems.
Let Coral Air Conditioning Ensure the Safety of Your Cooling System
Can you plug an air conditioner into a power strip? If it’s a heavy-duty power strip that can protect your HVAC system from electrical surges, it’s possible.
Coral Air Conditioning’s experienced technicians can help with everything from protecting HVAC electrical components to addressing the causes of frozen AC suction lines. Call us today for a free estimate, or request an appointment online!
