Power Surges Protection for HVAC

Part 4 Of Our 4-Part Article.

Click Here To Go To Part-1: www.AlsPlumbing.com Power Surge Protection – Part 1 of 4

Part-4 Discusses Power Surges Protection for HVAC.  Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.  Additionally, we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (owned by American Standard), and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).

Al’s also provides Full-Service Plumbing; Maintenance, Repairs, and Replacements for every plumbing component in your home.  Al’s sells and installs gas & electric water heaters.   Al’s is near your home in; Richardson, TX; Garland, TX; and northeastern Dallas, Texas.  We service all homes in southern Collin County with no travel charges.

Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We will arrange an appointment at your convenience.

NOTE: Power Surges Protection for HVAC — Costs Less Than Most Repairs That Are Needed After A Power Surge

Common Damage To HVAC Systems — Due To Power Surges

Or Prevented With Power Surges Protection for HVAC.

Image Source: Pixabay

NOTE: If The A/C Outdoor Unit Is Struck Directly By Lighting — HVAC Power Surges Protection Can’t Protect It.

The Protection Provide Is For Power Surges Coming Through The Electric Line Serving The Unit.

Click Here To See (External) Direct Lightning Strike Damage To A/C Outdoor Unit: Direct Lightning Strike Marks On Outdoor A/C Unit

Click Here To See (Internal) Direct Lightning Strike Damage To A/C Outdoor Unit: Central A/C (Internal) Lightning Strike Damage

Image Source: Dreamstime

Shown: Central A/C Outdoor Unit

Common Damage To HVAC Systems — Due To Power Surges

Control Board

(1 in A/C Outdoor Unit + 1 In Furnace)

• The control board is the “brain” for the outdoor unit (and there’s one in the furnace too).
• Control boards tell the A/C unit or furnace — which functions to perform, and in what order.
• Being a sensitive electronic circuit board — the Control Board it’s highly prone to damage from a power surge.

• A control board replacement is a moderately expensive repair.
• Costs range from $200–$600 (based on specific control board required)  **

** Source: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/heating-and-cooling/repair-an-hvac-system/

Image Source: Amazon embedded link

SHOWN: HVAC System Control Board.  There is a specific control board required for each: brand, model, and size HVAC System.

Outdoor A/C Unit Failures — And Home Owners’ (H.O.) Insurance Claims: **

• High Voltage Surge: 10% of H.O. Insurance claims / 18% actual failure cause.

• Lightning Strike: 25%+ of insurance claims / 1% actual failure cause.

• Wear & Tear: 3% of insurance claims / 32% actual failure cause.

• Power/Voltage Surges are defined as: “excessive voltage — lasting for a second for up to several minutes”.
• Though High Voltage Surges are less powerful than lightning strikes — they often cause a similar level of damage.
• A large enough power/voltage surge — can produce immediate damage to HVAC’s electrical system.

• Multiple Small power/voltage surges — can create similar damage over time (as 1 large surge).
• Power Surge Protection prevents small & large power surges damage.

• Damage from many small surges — constitutes as wear and tear.  It’s not covered by H.O. Insurance.
• IF your HO insurance determines a power/voltage surge or lightning damaged your A/C unit — you must pay the policy’s deductible.
• Many repairs will be less than the HO Insurance deductible.

** Source: https://www.hvacinvestigators.com/webinars/lightning-high-voltage-surge-or-wear-and-tear-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-when-handling-hvac-system-claims/

Capacitor

(It’s more likely that it simply wore out) 

• A capacitor is a rechargeable battery — that sends an extra jolt of electricity to start a motor running.
• Electrical components with high electricity demand — typically need an extra jolt of electricity to start running. Capacitors provide the jolt.
• There is a capacitor in the outside a/c unit’s fan and another for the compressor.
• Also, the furnace has one for the blower motor.

Image Source: Amazon embedded link

SHOWN: HVAC System Capacitor.   Note: There is a specific capacitor model required for each: brand, model and size HVAC System.

• A capacitor is one of the most common parts to fail — due to wear and tear.  
• A capacitor is the most common part to fail — due to a power surge.   
• Average repair cost = $175+ (based on specific capacitor required)  **

** Source: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-replace-ac-capacitor.htm#:~:text=The%20average%20cost%20to%20replace,the%20labor%20required%20for%20installation.

• A relatively weak power/voltage surge can damage a capacitor.
• The primary cause of capacitor failure is it’s simply worn out.  It’s a rechargeable battery that endures frequent use.
• In most cases — the compressor won’t start until a new capacitor is installed.
• In some cases — even if the compressor doesn’t receive that jolt from the capacitor, it may start running anyway.  This is called: “Hard starting”.
• Hard Starting is extremely hard on the compressor.
• The compressor is likely to fail due to multiple hard starts.
• If the compressor failed due to a power/voltage surge — often, other components (described above) must also be replaced.
• Unless The A/C Is Under 5 years old — the cost to replace (only) the compressor often exceeds today’s value of the outdoor unit.
• The average replacement cost (for only the compressor) is $1,200. **  Cost ranges from $800– $2,800.   Cost range is based on compressor size & SEER efficiency.
• The average replacement cost (for a new outdoor unit) is $1,300. ** Cost ranges from $700-4,000.  Cost range is based on compressor size & SEER efficiency.
• The actual name of the outdoor unit is: “condenser unit”.

** Source: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/heating-and-cooling/repair-replace-ac-condenser/

Contactor Relay Switch

• ** Source: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/heating-and-cooling/repair-an-ac-unit/

• It’s a Low-Voltage switch controlled by the thermostat inside the house.
• This switch operates the High-Voltage Relay Switches for the: outside unit’s compressor & fan, and the furnace’s blower fan.
• Average repair costs will be $125–$250 for a relay switch. **

** Source: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-replace-ac-capacitor.htm

 Image Source: Amazon embedded link

SHOWN: Contact Relay Switch.  NOTE: There is a specific unit required for each: brand, model and size HVAC System.

Compressor

• The compressor moves refrigerant through the outside unit & the indoor cooling-coil.
• Being an electrical device with a lot of wiring, the compressor can be damaged by a large power surge.
• Unless The A/C Is Under 5 years old — the cost to replace (only) the compressor often exceeds today’s value of the outdoor unit.
• The average replacement cost (for only the compressor) is $1,200. **  Cost rnges from $800– $2,800.   Cost range is based on compressor size & SEER efficiency.
• The average replacement cost (for a new outdoor unit) is $1,300. ** Cost ranges from $700-4,000.  Cost range is based on compressor size & SEER efficiency.

** Source: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/heating-and-cooling/repair-replace-ac-condenser/

Click Here To See An A/C Outdoor Unit’s Compressor: See A/C Compressor (round and black)

Power Surges Protection for HVAC 

Power Surges Protection for HVAC System.   

• External power/voltage surges (coming from the power grid) can damage HVAC Systems.

• It’s not uncommon for a central a/c or furnace (without Power Surges Protection for HVAC) — to stop running after a power surge.

• With a large enough surge — many HVAC System components are subject to failure.

• If the power surge was quite large — often the cost to repair the a/c isn’t justified unless it’s less than 5 years old.

• Adding Power Surges Protection for HVAC is less expensive than most repairs required due to a power surge.

• Power Surges Protection for HVAC Protects The Outdoor Unit (+ furnace if also equipped) From Power Surges Coming Through The Home’s Wiring.

Image Source: Amazon.com Embedded Link

Shown:  Universal Power Surge Protector For Furnace or Central A/C Outdoor Unit.

Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com

Amazon’s Website Shows:

• 4-1/2 Star Rating (out of 5) — with nearly 450 customer reviews.
• Green indicator light — advises the device is protecting properly.
• Provides protection for; central a/c unit, heat pump, furnace/air handler, and mini-split HVAC system.
• “3-Year product warranty for up to $7,500” — (to replace power surge damaged HVAC component protected with this device).

Note:  This device must be installed by a licensed electrician.

On A Side Note: Refrigerant Recharge (after repairs) — For Leaking A/C System

Low Refrigerant Level Is One Of The Top Reasons Why A/C Isn’t Cooling Like It Did In The Past. 

NOTE: Low Refrigerant Level Has Nothing To Do With Power/Voltage Surges.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Shown: A/C Refrigerant Recharge Kit — Tank & Gauges

How To Test If Your A/C May Be Low On Refrigerant:

• A 16° to 22° F temperature difference — between the home’s interior temperature, and air coming from the ducts is considered proper operation.
• Low refrigerant causes a/c not to cool at its full capacity & efficiency.
• NOTE: Most DFW homes have ductwork in the attic.
• During DFW summer — an attic reaches as high as 160°, on a sunny day, during peak summer temps.

• TIP-1: Check the temperature at the vents after the a/c has been running for 1/2 hour (to ensure the ductwork is fully cooled).
• TIP-2:  The best time to output temperature is early in the morning — ideally before sunrise.  That’s when the attic will be the least hot.

If Your Central A/C Needs To Be Recharged:

• TIP-3: Ask how much refrigerant your a/c recharge requires.  It may need only a little.
• TIP-4: With an R-22 refrigerant A/C  — be certain you know the total recharge cost before approving it.

• The Cost to fully recharge and older a/c — with R-22/Freon ® refrigerant (A/C installed before 2010) = $175–600.
• The price spread is based on the size of A/C unit.
• Larger A/C units need more refrigerant. **

• As of Jan 2020 — R-22/Freon ® can’t be made/imported into the U.S.
• WHY? Freon damages the Ozone Layer above the earth.
• Available R-22 — was likely removed from retired air conditioners or refrigeration equipment.
• It’s ok to reuse it — but it may be prohibitively expensive.

• Cost to fully recharge an R-410/Puron ® refrigerant A/C (installed after 2009) = $100–325.  **
• The price spread is based on the size of A/C unit.
• Larger A/C units need more refrigerant. **

• R-22/Freon was replaced with R-410/Puron.
• R-410 is also being phased out.
• WHY? Its GWP  significantly adds to Global Warming.

** Source: https://homeguide.com/costs/ac-freon-cost-recharge-refill

Residential A/C Installed Before 2010

Uses R-22/ Freon® Refrigerant

Image Source: Shutterstock

SHOWN: Pre 2010, R-22/Freon Refrigerant A/C

New R-22/ Freon® production (or importing) isn’t allowed in the U.S. 

NOTE: GWP stands for Global Warming Potential

R-22/Freon:

• GWP = 1810 **
• .055 Ozone depletion potential.
• Since 2020 — Laws prohibit R-22 from being made or imported into the U.S.
• Since 2010 — New a/c’s could not have R-22.

NOTE: A/C built before 2010 use Mineral Oil for lubrication (inside the compressor).

** GWP Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/high-gwp-refrigerants

R417c / Freon One Shot™  — Is A Retrofit Refrigerant — for R12/Freon A/C (installed before 2009).

NOTE: All existing refrigerant must be removed before adding R417c.  It’s against the law to mix refrigerants.

• GWP = 3135 //  No Ozone depletion potential.
• R417c can be used in R22/Freon A/C (installed before 2010)– which uses mineral oil for lubrication.
• This 2nd-Generation Freon Refrigerant Replacement includes a hydrocarbon additive — to make it compatible with R-22/Freon A/C. units
• Non-Flammable.

** GWP Source for R417c: 

** GWP Source-1 for R417c: https://www.freon.com › products › one-shot-c

** GWP Source-2 for R417c:  https://www.honeywell-refrigerants.com › europe › product

TIP: Before Going The Expense Of Retrofitting An R12/Freon A/C With New Refrigerant:

• First, Compare The Cost To Replace The HVAC.
• The average lifespan for Cental A/C in Dallas is up to 15 years (likely less).
• The actual lifespan depends on A/C maintenance and how cool you keep your home.

• SEER-14 is the minimum SEER for a new a/c installed in the southern U.S.
• A new SEER-14 Central A/C can be as much as 3 times as efficient as one built in 1991 or earlier.

TIP:

• A central a/c’s silver tag (on the rear of the outdoor unit) typically shows the Manufacture Date.
• The chart below indicates your A/C’s SEER — Based on its manufacture date.

Click Here To See An Example Silver Tag: Scroll Down To SEE The Silver Tag On Central A/C Unit

SEER Rating By Year:

• Before 1980: SEER-6 or less
• 1980–1985:  SEER-6 or less
• 1986–1991:  SEER-8 or less
• 1992–2005: SEER 10–12
• 2006-2014:  SEER-13 or higher
• 2015 & later: SEER-14 or higher

Source: https://www.howtolookatahouse.com/Blog/Entries/2018/7/what-is-the-seer-of-my-old-air-conditioner.html

USES: R410-A/Puron Refrigerant

Image Source: Dreamstime

R410/Puron:

NOTE: GWP stands for Global Warming Potential

• GWP = 2088  // No Ozone depletion potential.
• R410-A units use synthetic oil for lubrication.
• R-410 was the 1st-Generation Replacement for R-22.
• R-410 is being phased out — due to its high GWP=2088.

R32/Difluoromethane — Is a 2nd Generation R410-A/Puron Refrigerant Replacement 

R-410A / Puron is being phased out — due to its high GWP of 2088.

• GWP = 675 //  No Ozone depletion potential.
• R32 is expected to replace R-410A & 407C — due to its lower Global Warming Potential.
• R32 requires up to 75% less refrigerant than R-410A A/C.

Source for R32: https://www.airconditioning-systems.com/R32.html

NOTES:

• Daikin (brand) HVAC estimates 84+ million R-32 residential units are in service across 70 countries.
• Daikin is developing residential & light-commercial A/C, that use R-32 refrigerant, for North America.

Source: https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/daikin-adopts-r32-for-key-us-products/

ON A SIDE NOTE

Automotive A/C Recharge (car built after 1994)

Image Source: Shutterstock

R-134A 

• The current refrigerant used in cars built after 1994.
• GWP = 1430  // No Ozone depletion potential

Automotive A/C Retrofit (for car built before 1994)

 FROM: R-22/Freon Refrigerant

TO: R-134a Refrigerant

• Starting in 1994 – Auto a/c began using R-134a (“a” stands for auto).
• Vehicles built before 1994 — use R-12/Freon refrigerant.

• If the car’s A/C doesn’t leak and cools well enough for you  — it’s legal and OK to continue to use it.
• If it needs a small recharge — some repair shops may be able to recharge it with R-22 refrigerant — if they have access to any.
• If the A/C needs repairs or a major recharge — it must be retrofitted to use R-134a refrigerant.

Notes:

• R-12 auto a/c used mineral oil as its lubricant.
• Mineral oil won’t work with R-134a refrigerant.
• R-134a systems require PAG/Polyalkylene Glycol oil.

Steps Required To Retrofit An Auto A/C –FROM- R-22 Refrigerant

-TO- R-134a (Tetrafluoroethane) Refrigerant.

• Remove all mineral oil from the system.

• Replace the Receiver/Dryer unit (sample unit photo below)– with one that has X-7 desiccant/
• NOTE: The Receiver/Dryer separates liquid & gas refrigerant.
• The compressor can’t use liquid — only gasses.  It can be destroyed if liquid refrigerant enters.

Image Source: Amazon Embedded Link

SHOWN: Auto A/C Receiver/Dryer.

NOTE:  The specific model needed is specific to car; year, brand, and model.

• Replacing O-rings.
• Replace the High-Pressure Cutout Switch (sample unit shown below).

Image Source: Amazon Embedded Link

SHOWN: Auto High-Pressure Cutout Switch.

NOTE: The specific model needed is specific to car; year, brand, and model.

• Replace the Orifice Tube/Expansion Valve (sample unit shown below).

Image Source: Amazon Embedded Link

SHOWN: Auto Orifice Tube/Expansion Valve.

NOTE: The specific model needed is specific to car; year, brand, and model.

• Add PAG/Polyalkylene Glycol oil — for the retrofitted system’s lubrication.
• PAG oil is required for R134a refrigerant systems.
• PAG oil lubricates the compressor and seals all rubber components (to prevent leaks)

• Recharge the system with R-134a.
• The system is recharged to 85–90% of its original (R-12/Freon) capacity.
• In some instances — a more efficient condenser (it’s in front of the radiator) may be needed for better performance.

Click Here To See An Auto A/C Condenser Unit — Installed In A Car: Auto A/C Condenser Unit (installed).

Click Below To See An Older (Pre-1994) Auto A/C Compressor For R-22 Refrigerant:

  Older R-22 Auto A/C Compressor For GM Car (Round & Black) – the closest thing in the photo).

Click Here To See A Newer (1994 & later) Auto A/C Compressor For R-134a Refrigerant:

R-134a A/C Compressor For GM car  (Round & Silver — the closest thing in the photo)

• Federal law requires the installation of R-134a Refrigerant Fittings (what refrigerant recharge lines connect to) — on the existing compressor.
• Note: R-12 Fittings are a different size from R-134a.
• R-134a Labels must also be installed to identify that an R-12/Freon A/C — was retrofitted to R-134a.

• This prevents refrigerant cross-contamination — should a future refrigerant recharge be required.

Source: https://www.aa1car.com/library/retrofit.htm

This Is Part 4 Of Our 4-Part Article.

Click Here To Go To Part-1: www.AlsPlumbing.com Power Surge Protection – Part 1 of 4

A Power Surge Can Damage Everything Electrical.  Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.  Additionally, we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (owned by American Standard), and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).

Al’s also provides Full-Service Plumbing; Maintenance, Repairs, and Replacements for every plumbing component in your home.  Al’s sells and installs gas & electric water heaters.  Al’s is near your home in McKinney, TX; Allen, TX; and Frisco, Texas.  We service all homes in southern Collin County with no travel charges.

Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We will arrange an appointment at your convenience.