Why surges are more common than you think — and how to protect your home before it’s too late.

Most Texas homeowners think of power surges as something caused by lightning. And while lightning is a serious threat in storm season, it’s not the main reason modern homes in Austin experience damaging electrical spikes.

The truth is far more surprising — and far more common.

Most power surges in Texas come from the grid itself, especially during extreme heat waves, sudden freezes, rolling blackouts, and grid instability. These grid-generated surges can silently destroy appliances, shorten the lifespan of electronics, and even compromise your home’s electrical system.

Here’s what Texas homeowners aren’t being told about grid surges — and what you can do to protect your home and electronics.

1. The Texas Grid Wasn’t Designed for Today’s Electrical Demand

Between record-high temperatures, explosive population growth, and thousands of new EV chargers, AC units, and smart-home devices, the Texas grid is under more stress than ever.

This strain creates:

• Sudden voltage spikes

• Brownouts followed by rebound surges

• Instability during seasonal extremes

• Unpredictable load shifts

Every time the grid struggles to balance demand, your home experiences the ripple effect.

2. Rolling Blackouts Can Cause Multiple Surges — Not Just One

Many Texans don’t realize this:

⚡ The surge doesn’t happen during the blackout — it happens when the power comes back on.
⚡ And most rolling blackouts create more than one surge.
⚡ Your home may experience dozens of micro-surges before the grid stabilizes.

These micro-surges are often too small to notice but big enough to damage sensitive electronics such as:

• TVs

• Refrigerators

• AC compressors

• Smart thermostats

• Computers

• Routers

• Security systems

• Game consoles

• Washer/dryers

• EV chargers

A single surge can cost thousands.

3. Major Appliances Are at the Highest Risk

Homeowners often protect computers and TVs — but skip the big appliances.

Yet AC units, refrigerators, heat pumps, and washers contain sensitive control boards that are vulnerable to even mild voltage spikes.

These aren’t $50 replacements.
They’re $300–$2,000 repairs or complete replacements.

Surges silently weaken them over time, meaning the failure may not happen right away. Homeowners often think the appliance “just wore out” — when it was actually surge damage.

4. Lightning Isn’t the Biggest Threat — Unstable Utility Power Is

Yes, lightning strikes are dangerous and unpredictable.

But in central Texas, the daily threat is grid instability.

Most homes will experience dozens of small surges each month from:

• Power restoration after outages

• Grid switching

• Transformer issues

• Voltage fluctuations

• Utility equipment failures

• High-demand summer peaks

• Winter freeze recovery

• Nearby construction

These are unavoidable — unless your home is protected.

5. Plug-In Power Strips Don’t Provide Whole-Home Protection

Power strips are fine for basic surge reduction, but they:

❌ Don’t protect major appliances
❌ Can’t handle a large utility surge
❌ Wear out quickly
❌ Often don’t protect at all once they degrade
❌ Only guard devices plugged directly into them

To protect your entire home, you need surge protection at the main panel, not just at the outlet.

6. A Whole-Home Surge Protector Is Your Best Line of Defense

A properly installed whole-home surge protector:
✔ Guards every circuit in your home
✔ Protects large appliances and HVAC units
✔ Reduces the risk of failed electronics
✔ Handles utility-level surges
✔ Extends the lifespan of household devices
✔ Provides layered protection with plugs and strips

This is essential for Austin-area homes, especially during extreme temperatures when the grid is most unstable.

7. Most Homeowners Don’t Know Surge Damage Isn’t Covered by Warranty

Appliance and electronics warranties exclude:

• Voltage spikes

• Power surges

• Utility fluctuations

Manufacturers consider surge damage “external.”
Insurance often won’t cover the full replacement either.

A $300 whole-home surge protector can prevent a $5,000–$15,000 loss.

8. Why Austin Homes Are Especially Vulnerable

Central Texas experiences:
🔥 Long, extreme summers (massive AC demand)
🧊 Occasional deep freezes (grid instability during thaw)
💨 Spring storms and lightning
📈 Rapid population growth
🔌 Increased electricity usage
🚗 Rising EV charger installations

The “stress cycles” on the grid are becoming more frequent — and more unpredictable.

Protect Your Home from Grid Surges with Austin Aztec Electric

We install high-quality whole-home surge protectors designed for Texas homes and Texas weather.

Our team offers:
✔ Whole-home surge protection
✔ Panel upgrades
✔ Dedicated appliance circuits
✔ Home electrical safety inspections
✔ Smart home electrical upgrades
✔ EV charger installation

Serving Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Buda, Kyle, Georgetown, Hutto, and surrounding areas.