Are Whole House Surge Protectors a Good Idea?

lightning striking a house at night

Every day, the average American home experiences 20 power surges – half of which are internal. Every year, more than 20 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes cause even more surges, and these losses are not usually covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy.

With aging infrastructure, an increase in severe weather, and our increased reliance on technology, power surges are on the rise. And they’re wiping out expensive electronics in their wake.

You may have been told that using a surge protector can safeguard your electronics. They work well, but they only protect the devices that are plugged into it.

If you want to protect all of the electronics in your home, you need whole-house surge protection.

What Causes Power Surges?

Many things can cause power surges and disruptions, but the most common causes include:

  • Severe weather: Lightning can cause instant and significant damage. High demand for electricity can also result in blackouts in cases of extreme weather.
  • Downed power lines: Whether caused by severe weather, animals, trees or other incidents, downed power lines can cause significant surges that wipe out your electronics.
  • Home appliances: Your home’s major appliances account for the majority of all internal power surges. While low-level, these surges degrade circuitry over time.
  • Faulty wiring: A failing, defective, and aging electrical system can cause damaging surges.

How Whole House Surge Protectors Can Safeguard Your Electronics

When professionally installed, a whole house surge protector can safeguard your electronics and save you money in the process.

A whole-house surge protector is hardwired into your home’s electrical panel. It works by redirecting any excess current to the ground instead of your home’s electrical system.

Whole house surge protectors have been recommended by the National Fire Protection Association as well as the Institute for Business and Home Safety. They also make you eligible for potential discounts from your homeowner’s insurance provider.

Laurens Electric already has surge protection built into its power lines, but ProTec’s whole house surge protectors offer additional protection to safeguard your electrical equipment.

Here’s how:

  • External Surge Protection: meter-based surge suppressors that prevent surges before they enter your home through the power line.
  • Secondary Internal Protection: reduce surges generated inside of your home, such as those caused by major appliances.

Want to protect your home’s electrical equipment? Get in touch with us today to discuss whole house surge protection for your home.