Power surges can cause incredible damage and put your home and family in serious danger. Most people associate them with lightning. While storm-generated surges are common, as many as 80% of surge events originate from inside a structure, according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. A whole house surge protector can keep you safe no matter where a surge comes from; here are five benefits of installing such a system:
Benefits of Whole House Surge Protection
1. Protect Your High-Tech Gadgets
The average home has more appliances and devices than ever. Without a whole house surge protector, these often expensive pieces of equipment are vulnerable to power surges. Most appliances now have sensitive circuit boards and other components, as do LED light bulbs. Smart phones and tablets are vulnerable to power surges as well. A single power surge can destroy a circuit board, break appliances, and erase large amounts of data from personal devices.
2. Transient Surges Protection
Short transient surges most often come from inside your home. A high-power air conditioner motor can generate a small surge. Such spikes usually don’t cause serious damage in one event, but the impacts add up over time, decreasing performance and shortening the lifespan of large appliances and electronic devices, including microwave ovens, refrigerators, and washing machines. Large appliances that turn on and off frequent are often the source of internal surges.
3. Prevent Damage to Appliances and Devices
The same appliances that generate surges can be damaged by them. If your fridge fails due to a power surge, you won’t be able to keep food cold. A surge that causes an air conditioner or heater breakdown can cause your home to become uncomfortable chilly in winter and dangerously hot in summer. The damage can be quite costly as well, as many home appliances cost several thousand dollars. Not to mention the electronic devices you use every day; a whole house surge protector can avoid damage that could require replacing them as well.
4. Electrical Fire Prevention
Surges in your home wiring can cause overheating, sparks, electrical arcing, and fires. With surge protection of at least 40,000 amps, high voltages can’t reach your internal circuits, preventing damage. Common causes of house fires include wiring issues, bad outlets, and old appliances, so fixing these is key for safety. If there’s a hidden problem, surge protection can help lower the risk when high voltages hit your electrical system.
5. Suit Your Home’s Power Needs
Whole house surge protectors are available in many forms. You can use an 80 kA-rated surge protector for 120 V systems. These are typical for U.S. homes. For the most part, homes rarely see surges higher than 10 kA, and anything over 50 kA is highly unusual. You should consider higher-rated systems if you live in an area where electrical storms are common.
A surge suppression system should include internal fuses and failure indicators. There are panel-mounted whole house systems and separate units for phone, power, and cable lines. Professional electricians can help determine the best type of system for your home.
Enhance Your Home’s Protection Against Power Surges
While a whole house surge protector can offer substantial protection, there are several additional considerations that can further secure your home’s electronics and electrical wiring from voltage spikes. Power surges, whether from lightning strikes or internal sources like air conditioning units, can cause irreversible damage to electronics and appliances, such as your refrigerator, computer, or ceiling fan. By integrating surge protection into your overall home improvement strategy, you reduce the risk of expensive repairs or replacements.
The Importance of Surge Protectors for Everyday Electronics
Modern homes use many electronics, like laptops and servers, that are sensitive to even small voltage changes. A good surge protector is the first defense, absorbing extra energy during a voltage spike. It uses parts like varistors to safely direct energy to the ground, protecting devices.
Power strips with surge protection are good for smaller devices like computers, but they provide limited safety. A whole house surge protector covers your entire electrical system and handles larger spikes from lightning or power outages, protecting everything from lights to smoke detectors.
Lowering Insurance Costs and Risk of Fire
A lesser-known benefit of installing a whole house surge protector is that it can lower your home insurance costs. Many insurance companies see surge protectors as a way to reduce the risk of electrical fires. By preventing wires from overheating and protecting circuit breakers, surge protectors help prevent fire hazards. Some insurers even give discounts for homes with these safety features, making them a good investment.
Surge protection can also be part of a bigger fire prevention plan. Electricians can install units with UL certification, meeting safety standards. These systems can work with smoke detectors and home automation to give full protection.
Choosing the Right Brand and Surge Protector Features
When choosing a surge protection system, consider the brand and its features. Brands like Square D, Leviton, and Siemens are known for making reliable surge protectors. Look for high joule ratings, built-in failure alerts, and a strong warranty for long-lasting performance.
It’s also important to know what kind of surge protection your home needs. A high-voltage protector handles surges from outside, like lightning, while systems for lower voltage spikes can protect against surges caused by large appliances turning on and off.
Protecting Your Home is an Investment
Adding a whole house surge protector is more than a cost—it’s an investment in your home’s safety and lifespan. Hiring a licensed electrician to install it ensures your home can handle power surges and voltage spikes, lowering the risk of fires and electrical problems.
Contact Service Today
Our team is committed to protecting homes throughout the Twin Cities area from potentially dangerous power surges. We can install a whole house surge protector, so your safety and large appliances and electronics aren’t affected by transient voltage spikes. You can save a great deal of money on repairs and reduce the risk of electrical failures. Call (888) 205-9590 or book an appointment with Service Today for help finding the right solution.