Surge Protection
Protect your home’s electrical system and valuable electronics from unexpected power surges with professionally installed whole-home surge protection. A surge protective device installed at your electrical panel helps reduce the risk of damage caused by lightning, utility switching, power outages, and other electrical disturbances.
Our installation includes mounting the surge protector at the electrical panel, connecting it to the existing electrical system, and testing the installation to ensure proper operation. Whole-home surge protection provides an added layer of protection for appliances, electronics, HVAC equipment, and other connected devices throughout your home.
What Is Whole-Home Surge Protection?
Whole-home surge protection is a device installed at your electrical panel that helps protect your home's electrical system and connected devices from sudden increases in voltage.
Unlike a plug-in surge protector that protects only the devices connected to it, a whole-home surge protective device provides protection at the electrical panel and can help protect equipment throughout the home.
It can be especially valuable for homes with expensive electronics, appliances, HVAC equipment, smart-home devices, and other sensitive electrical equipment.
What Does Whole-Home Surge Protection Protect?
Whole-home surge protection can help protect many of the electrical devices and appliances connected to your home's wiring.
This can include televisions, computers, refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, HVAC equipment, garage door openers, smart-home equipment, and other sensitive electronics.
It’s important to understand that surge protection isn't a guarantee against all electrical damage. It is designed to reduce the risk and severity of damage caused by transient voltage surges.
How Long Does a Whole-Home Surge Protector Last?
A surge protective device doesn't have a fixed replacement schedule. Its lifespan depends largely on how many and how severe the electrical surges it encounters are.
Over time, the protective components can wear down as they divert surge energy. Many surge protective devices include an indicator that shows whether the protection is still active.
During installation or other electrical service, we can check the device and recommend replacement if it is no longer providing protection.
What Can Cause Electrical Power Surges?
Power surges can happen for several reasons. Common causes include lightning strikes, utility equipment switching, power outages and restoration, and large electrical equipment turning on or off.
Not all surges are dramatic or noticeable. Smaller voltage transients can occur within the electrical system and may affect sensitive electronics over time.
A properly installed surge protective device helps divert excessive transient voltage away from your home's electrical system and connected equipment.
Do I Still Need Plug-In Surge Protectors?
Yes. Whole-home surge protection and plug-in surge protectors can work together.
A panel-mounted surge protective device provides the first level of protection for the home's electrical system, while a quality point-of-use surge protector can provide additional protection for sensitive equipment such as computers, televisions, and home entertainment systems.
For particularly sensitive or expensive electronics, using both levels of protection can provide an added layer of defense.
Is Whole-Home Surge Protection Worth It?
For many homeowners, whole-home surge protection is an affordable way to add another layer of protection to the home's electrical system.
Modern homes contain more sensitive and expensive electronics than ever, and replacing damaged appliances or equipment can cost significantly more than installing a surge protective device.
While no surge protection system can prevent every type of electrical damage—particularly a direct lightning strike—whole-home surge protection can help reduce the risk of damage from many common transient voltage events.