How Much Does an HVAC Lightning Surge Protector Cost?

Summer thunderstorms bring heavy rain and flashes of lightning that can wreak havoc on your home’s electrical system. If you have a computer or an entertainment system, there’s a good chance it's connected to the outlet with a surge protector for increased peace of mind. But what about one of the most expensive and largest appliances in your home — your HVAC system?

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The HVAC surge protector installation cost is a small price to pay to protect your heating and cooling system from unexpected damage. This article explores the benefits of installing an HVAC surge protector, who to call for installation and what you can expect to pay.

Do I Need a Surge Protector for My HVAC System?

Most homes are equipped with 120 volts of electricity flowing from the lines outside your home to your breaker box. A sudden increase in voltage can occur from direct lightning strikes, faulty wiring, power grid fluctuations and even internal surges when appliances power on and off. These sudden transient overvoltages can damage any electronics that are connected via a home outlet, including your HVAC system.

Repairing or replacing a damaged system can cost thousands of dollars. The cost of a surge protector is a small fraction of that, making it an excellent investment.

What Do Surge Protection Devices Do?

A surge protector is a small device that acts as a gatekeeper for the AC power flowing into your HVAC unit. It constantly monitors the incoming voltage and diverts sudden line surges to the ground or absorbs the energy. Devices made specifically for HVAC systems are installed near the compressor or at your home’s main electrical panel.

How Does a Furnace or Air Conditioner Surge Protector Work?

HVAC surge protection devices use several advanced technologies to accomplish this.

• Metal oxide varistors. MOVs are semiconductors built into electrical equipment to safeguard against voltage spikes and electrical surges. They are typically made of zinc oxide and can degrade over time.

• Gas discharge tubes. GDTs are small, gas-filled tubes that have electrodes. When a sudden electrical surge occurs, the gas ionizes and creates an instant short circuit, which sends the extra volts into the ground.

• Spark gap technology. Spark gaps are often used in heavy-duty protectors. They have two electrodes that are separated by a small air gap. Strong surges in electricity jump the gap, creating an arc that provides a path to the ground.

Quality surge protectors use several of these technologies to provide peace of mind about your HVAC’s power supply.

How Much Is the HVAC Surge Protector Installation Cost?

Type I or Type II surge protectors are the best units for HVAC systems. The overall cost for the equipment and installation can vary greatly. Type II units are installed close to your electric panel and protect one of two circuits. Type I or single-phase units are installed near the main electric line coming into your house from the street. They offer the highest level of protection from lightning strikes and other external sources.

According to HomeGuide, the cost of installation for a Type I surge protector is $100 to $500 (CAD 138 to CAD 692) for the unit and an additional $250 to $800 (CAD 346 to CAD 1,107) for installation. Type II protectors cost between $60 and $300 (CAD 83 and CAD 415), with installation costs around $200 to $450 (CAD 277 to CAD 623).

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Who Installs HVAC Surge Protectors?

Anytime you’re dealing with electricity, you should contact a qualified, licensed electrician. If you’re installing an HVAC surge protector, you can also contact a certified HVAC technician. These professionals are trained to work on the electrical components within heating and air conditioning systems and have the knowledge and tools to install a surge protector.

Hiring a professional ensures the work is done safely and complies with all local electrical codes. It can also validate the warranty on both your surge protector and any devices connected to the unit.

Are Whole-House HVAC Surge Protectors Worth It?

The average HVAC lightning surge protector installation cost is a few hundred dollars compared to the cost of a new HVAC system, which is between $5,000 and $11,000 (CAD 6,919 and CAD 15,221). It may seem like an unnecessary expense to install an HVAC surge protector, but spending a few hundred dollars for peace of mind is often worth it.

If you install a whole-house surge protector, you’ll safeguard against damage to your heating and cooling system and have a layer of protection for all appliances, LED lighting and systems within your home in the event of a voltage spike.