By Published On: May 31, 2024

Protecting Against Texas Thunderstorms

This small device could save you thousands in repair work. Sleep peacefully knowing your HVAC unit is safe.

Why Surge Protectors Matter

Lightning strikes can cause sudden power surges, sending a spike of electricity through your home’s wiring. This can easily overwhelm and fry the sensitive electronics within your HVAC unit, particularly the circuit board. The result? You could be looking at thousands of dollars in repairs or a complete system replacement. Installing a surge protector offers a simple and cost-effective insurance policy against such a scenario.

The Cost of Not Having Protection:

  1. Repair Costs: A lightning strike can damage the HVAC circuit board, compressors, and other essential components. Repairs can run from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the extent of the damage.
  2. Replacement Costs: In some cases, the damage may be so severe that you need to replace the entire HVAC unit. Replacing a central air system can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000 or more.
  3. Inconvenience: Beyond the financial hit, losing your HVAC system during a Texas summer can be incredibly uncomfortable, leaving you and your family sweltering in the heat while you wait for repairs or replacement.

Benefits of Surge Protectors

  1. Cost-Effective Protection: Surge protectors for HVAC units are relatively inexpensive. This is a small price to pay compared to potential repair or replacement costs.
  2. Peace of Mind: Knowing your HVAC unit is protected from sudden electrical surges allows you to enjoy Texas thunderstorms without the anxiety of potential damage to your system.
  3. Extended HVAC Lifespan: By shielding your unit from power surges, you help extend its operational lifespan, ensuring it runs efficiently and effectively for many years.
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Texas-Storm-Surge-Protector

How Surge Protectors Work

Surge protectors function by diverting excess voltage away from your HVAC unit when a power spike occurs. They are designed to detect irregular electrical activity and react within nanoseconds, providing a barrier that prevents the surge from reaching and damaging your unit’s critical components.

The Installation

Installing a surge protector is straightforward and can be performed by a qualified HVAC technician. During a routine maintenance visit, the technician can add the surge protector to your unit, ensuring it’s properly integrated into your home’s electrical system. This minor addition can make a significant difference in protecting your investment.

HVAC technician checking wiring and electrical components on outdoor AC unit

Conclusion: An Ounce of Prevention

In Georgetown, Texas, and surrounding areas, where thunderstorms are a common occurrence, safeguarding your HVAC unit with a surge protector is not just a precaution—it’s a necessity. This small investment can save you thousands in potential repairs and replacements, providing a reliable defense against the unpredictable power of nature. Don’t wait for a costly lesson; protect your HVAC system today and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is shielded against electrical surges.

Peace of mind…

Storms happen all the time and they’re unpredictable.

“We’ve had a lot of storms lately, and just recently, a customer’s house was struck by lightening and blew our their compressor board. Thankfully, it was covered under warranty but if not, this could have cost them over $6,000 to repair”

David Smith

Owner | Austex Air Conditioning & Heating

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Expert AC Installation & Replacement for Texas Homes

In Central Texas, air conditioning isn’t optional—it’s essential. Homes in Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, and surrounding areas rely on their AC systems for most of the year, especially during long, hot summers. Because of this extended cooling season, air conditioners in Texas work harder and longer than systems in many other parts of the country.

Over time, that constant demand can lead to reduced efficiency, uneven cooling, and more frequent repairs. Older systems often struggle to keep up, run longer cycles, and drive up energy costs. When your system reaches that point, replacing it with a properly installed, high-efficiency unit can significantly improve your home’s comfort, reliability, and overall energy performance.

At Austex Air Conditioning & Heating, we’ve been helping homeowners upgrade their comfort for over 40 years. As a family-owned company based in Georgetown, TX, we understand the unique demands of Texas homes and install systems designed to perform in extreme heat.

>>> LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR INSTALLATION PROCESS


How Old Is Your AC System?

Most air conditioning systems are designed to last 12–15 years—but in Texas, that lifespan is often shortened due to heavy use and high temperatures. Systems frequently run from early spring through late fall, placing constant strain on critical components.

As your system ages, you may begin to notice:

  • Reduced cooling performance and longer run times

  • Higher energy bills due to declining efficiency

  • More frequent repairs or unexpected breakdowns

  • Uneven temperatures throughout the home

  • Older refrigerant systems that are more difficult and costly to service

If your system is showing these signs, it may be more cost-effective to upgrade to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioning system.


Professional Installation Matters

Choosing the right AC system is only part of the equation—how it’s installed plays a major role in how well it performs over time.

Even high-quality equipment can underperform if it’s:

  • Incorrectly sized

  • Poorly installed

  • Not properly matched to your home’s airflow and ductwork

At Austex Air, we take a detailed, personalized approach to every installation. Before recommending a system, we evaluate:

  • Home size and layout

  • Insulation levels

  • Ductwork condition

  • Airflow and cooling demands

This ensures your new system delivers consistent, efficient cooling throughout your entire home.


What Proper Installation Delivers

When your system is installed correctly, you benefit from:

  • Proper system sizing for optimal performance

  • Balanced airflow and even cooling

  • Reliable operation during peak Texas heat

  • Improved energy efficiency and lower monthly costs

  • Longer system lifespan with fewer unexpected issues

Our goal is simple: install your system the right way the first time—so you can depend on it for years to come.


Installation Backed by Honest Workmanship

Replacing your air conditioner is a major investment, and you deserve confidence in the results. At Austex Air, we stand behind our work with a commitment to quality, transparency, and long-term performance.

We don’t believe in shortcuts or high-pressure sales. We believe in:

  • Honest recommendations

  • Clear communication

  • Doing the job right the first time

If something isn’t right, we make it right—that’s how we’ve built long-term trust with homeowners throughout the Georgetown area.


Protect Your Investment with Preventative Maintenance

Once your new system is installed, routine maintenance is the key to keeping it running efficiently and avoiding costly breakdowns.

Over time, dust buildup, normal wear, and airflow restrictions can reduce system performance if left unaddressed. With regular maintenance, small issues can be caught early—before they turn into expensive repairs.

Our preventative maintenance services help:

  • Extend the lifespan of your system

  • Maintain peak energy efficiency

  • Reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns

  • Keep your home consistently comfortable

💡 Routine maintenance is one of the simplest ways to protect your investment and avoid costly surprises.


Trusted by Homeowners Across Georgetown, TX

For over four decades, Austex Air Conditioning & Heating has helped homeowners stay comfortable with reliable HVAC installation and replacement services. We understand what it takes to keep Texas homes cool—and we install systems built to handle it.

From helping you choose the right system to installing it with precision and maintaining it over time, our team is focused on delivering long-term comfort you can count on.

When it’s time to replace your AC system or upgrade to a more efficient solution, homeowners in Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, and surrounding communities trust Austex Air for dependable service and expert installation.

Customer reviews

We are so grateful for all of our customer reviews! Every technician at Austex Air Conditioning and Heating takes pride in our customer service.

“AUSTEX A/C & HEAT are professional, honest, & reliable. 4 yrs ago they replaced one of our units (I’d gotten multiple quotes and AUSTEX was not only the best price but able to do the work immediately). Getting ready for the upcoming Spring & Summer months, we had them come out for maintenance. Randy was a pleasure to work with and made sure the other unit, which is 23 years old, is good to go for the upcoming summer season.We highly recommend them for your A/C & Heating needs.”

I recommend highly Austex Air Conditioning & Heating. Randy was the technician that was assigned to clean out my blower wheel in my hvac unit per recommendation done by ARS Rooter. Randy took a look at my blower wheel and was so honest. He told me that my blower wheel was not dirty to where it needed cleaning. Instead of charging me for the service I had requested , he ended up not charging me for the work he did not do. I can’t express how thankful I am for people like Randy and his boss, Dave Smith. This type of honesty and transparency is what makes Austex Air a very reliable and trustworthy business. I will be using Austex Air going forward. Thank you so much Randy and Dave!!!!! You are the best.

“Very knowledgeable, professional. I always recommend them to my clients.”

“Extremely professional. Technician went above and beyond. I highly recommend them!”

“Randy’s always on time, polite, professional and super helpful. He’s been performing the annual service on my AC for several years and I trust him. Updated 2/28/2025. Just had my annual HVaC service and as always, Randy was awesome. Thank you!”