Do You Need a Surge Protector for Your HVAC System?

In a modern Sacramento home, high-tech heat pumps, ACs, high-efficiency furnaces, whole-home humidifiers, air purifiers, and other electronics are linked to your electrical panel. Because they contain sensitive electronics and microprocessors, there is a potential risk whenever power surges occur.

Worse still, power surges don’t just happen because of lightning. Each time a high-powered appliance is plugged in, it draws enough energy to cause a surge. Damaged wiring, overloaded circuits, and grid issues are also common causes of unexpected surges.

Because of this, we typically recommend homeowners install a surge protection system. A point-of-use surge protector can stop power surges from damaging the sensitive electronics in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

What Is an HVAC Surge Protector and What Does It Actually Do?

A surge protector is designed to divert or limit this excess voltage before it has a chance to harm your sensitive components. Surge protectors are primarily effective for protecting electronics. While motors can be damaged by power fluctuations, surge protectors aren’t able to protect them.

It’s also important to note what surge protectors can and can’t do. They operate differently from breakers. Rather than providing guaranteed protection against events, they offer a good level of coverage. Because of this, they are most effective when used as part of a layered approach.

What Causes Power Surges and Voltage Spikes?

Power surges and voltage spikes can occur because of a few common events.

• Lightning nearby, even when there isn’t a direct strike
• Downed lines from trees and accidents
• Power outages and restoration following the outage
• Generators or solar inverters are switching on
• Large appliances cycling on, such as HVAC systems, fridges, and sump pumps
• Utility switching and transformer issues
• Brownouts, which are periods of low voltage that cause added stress on electronics and motors

While you might think of dramatic lightning strikes when you hear someone talk about power surges, the reality is that surges are far more frequent and unassuming.

What Parts of Your HVAC System Are Most Vulnerable?

Today’s HVAC systems have microprocessors and delicate components that can become damaged by unexpected surges.

• Control Boards and Ignition Boards: These serve as the brain of the HVAC system and can become fried by a surge.
• Thermostat and Smart Controls: Microprocessors in modern thermostats can fail or have incorrect readings due to surge damage.
• Inverter and Variable-Speed Drive Boards: These components are incredibly sensitive and costly to replace.
• Outdoor Unit Electronics and Contactors: Because they are outdoors, these components are more exposed to lightning. When exposed to high voltage, coils in the contactor can burn out.
• Capacitors and Relays: Capacitors can develop a dielectric breakdown due to surges, causing a telltale bulge in the metal. Meanwhile, relays can fuse shut or stop working.
• Compressors: While compressors experience less direct risk, the damage can be more expensive. Surges can lead the compressor to overheat and fail.

Replacing electronics can quickly get expensive. This type of failure tends to occur fast and unexpectedly, leaving your loved ones without a heating and cooling system.

Breakers vs. Surge Protectors: Why a Breaker Isn’t Enough

A breaker panel is designed to protect against overcurrent and shorts, but not voltage spikes. When the overcurrent or short is detected, it trips the breaker, and power is shut off to that circuit.

Unfortunately, surges can occur too fast for a breaker to trip. Because of this, surge protectors are essential for protecting homes from damage.

• Myth: My breaker will protect my AC. In reality, the breaker can’t respond quickly enough to a power surge.
• Myth: Surges only happen during storms. Power surges can happen from appliances switching on, grid fluctuations, transformer problems, downed lines, and other issues.

Whole-Home Surge Protection vs. HVAC Surge Protector: Which Do You Need?

There are a few things you should consider if you are trying to decide between whole-home surge protection and an HVAC surge protector.

Whole-Home (Panel) Surge Protection

A whole-home surge protector is intended to protect the circuits on your circuit panel at their source. While it offers a good level of baseline protection, it doesn’t always eliminate spikes inside your home that occur at the equipment level.

Dedicated HVAC Surge Protector

A dedicated HVAC surge protector is installed near your outdoor unit, although it may sometimes be installed near indoor equipment. It is designed to provide a focused layer of protection where the risk is at its highest.

Best Practice Approach: Layered Protection

A whole-home and HVAC surge protector complements each other as part of a layered protection system. If an internal surge occurs or an external surge breaks through the whole-home surge protector, the HVAC unit protection is in place to protect your system. This type of approach is especially important for new systems, expensive boards, and variable-speed heat pumps.

Is an HVAC Surge Protector Worth It? Use This Quick Checklist

To decide if investing in an HVAC surge protector is worth it, consider the following questions. An HVAC surge protector is generally a good idea if:

• You have a relatively new HVAC system.
• Your area frequently experiences storms, outages, or flickering power.
• You have a generator or solar inverter that switches on.
• You use a heat pump or variable-speed system.
• Your home has suffered from blown capacitors, boards, and thermostats before.
• Your outdoor unit was expensive, so you want to extend its lifespan.

However, you might not need an HVAC surge protector if:

• Your system is old or near the end of its expected lifespan.

Often, most homeowners will end up installing a surge protector because it is much cheaper than the cost of a single board repair.

What To Look for in an HVAC Surge Protector

Once you decide to install a surge protector, remember to consider the following factors.

• Type: You need to get an HVAC-rated, outdoor-rated surge protector.
• Indicator Status: There should be an indicator light that shows when the unit is working.
• Protection Rating: A higher kiloampere (kA) rating is better because this shows the protector can handle a higher level of electrical current.
• Warranty: Don’t look for satisfaction guarantees. Look for product warranties, and make sure to read through the fine print.
• Location: Consider the location where you’ll install the protector. It will need to have a good grounding in a place that is close to your equipment.
• Professional Installation: To ensure your code compliance and the safety of your home, you should get the unit professionally installed.

It pays to be proactive about finding the right surge protractor. If you get a cheap, non-rated device, there’s an excellent chance it won’t be able to hold up outdoors.

Installation: Where It Goes and What Installation Usually Includes

During the installation process, a technician from Fox Family Heating & Air will take care of the following steps.

• Confirm your HVAC system type and electrical setup.
• Check disconnect and panel conditions to ensure your electrical system is safe and ready for the installation.
• Install and test the protector.
• Verify grounding.
• Clearly label the surge protector.
• Walk through the final setup with the homeowner. Demonstrate how the indicator light shows when the unit is working.

To see if a surge protector makes sense for your needs, schedule an evaluation today.

Common Questions and Misconceptions

Do I need a surge protector if I already have a whole-home surge protector?

Point-of-use surge protectors are still useful if you have a whole-home surge protector. In addition to offering a layered approach to defense, these surge protectors also protect your HVAC equipment from surges that occur within the home. This is especially important because whole-home systems primarily focus on protecting against surges from external sources.

Will a surge protector protect my compressor?

By diverting excess voltage to a grounding wire, a surge protector can protect your compressor from sudden energy spikes and power surges. Although compressors deal with indirect risks, surges can still cause overheating that can harm the compressor’s components.

Can a surge protector stop damage from a direct lightning strike?

No. Lightning contains millions of volts of energy, which is too much for a surge protector. To provide the best level of protection, you’ll likely need to install a lightning rod.

Do surge protectors wear out? How do I know if it still works?

Most surge protectors last for around two to five years. They have a “ground” or “protected” light that should be on all the time. If this status light flickers or shuts off, you need to get a replacement. Similarly, frequent tripping and signs of physical damage indicate that a replacement may be necessary.

Is a power strip surge protector the same thing?

No, they aren’t. A power strip is basically an extension cord with extra outlets. In comparison, a surge protector has the capacity to protect your electronics from electrical surges.

Do mini-splits or heat pumps need surge protection, too?

Absolutely. Surge protection is essential for any sensitive electronics that you don’t want damaged by lightning strikes. By investing in surge protection, you can reduce the likelihood of future repairs and replacements.

Improve the Safety of Your Home’s Electrical Systems

Surges can damage modern HVAC electronics, resulting in high repair costs and potential safety hazards. By investing in layered protection, homeowners can prevent damage and save money on HVAC repairs. If you are thinking about getting a new system or have unstable power in your home, installing a surge protector is a wise decision.

Ready to protect your HVAC equipment? At Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning, we can recommend the best surge protection to keep your HVAC equipment functioning at its best.