Whole house surge protection is essential for keeping your electronics and appliances safe from sudden electrical fluctuations. Power surges can damage items you rely on every day, like your refrigerator, laptop, and air conditioner. While using plug-in power strip surge protectors can save you money upfront, professionally installed whole house systems provide better protection and are usually more cost-effective over time.
707 Plumbers, Inc. & Electric can assess your home’s electric usage and recommend and install the right whole house surge protection for you.
Surges of excess electricity can damage your appliances and electronics. A whole house surge protector redirects this excess electricity into the ground before it can travel through your home’s wiring. Since it is attached to your main electric panel, it protects your entire home and the devices you have plugged in. To ensure that whole home surge protection is done correctly and safely, a professional electrician should install the surge protection device.
Many people rely on power strip-style surge protectors. These devices are inexpensive and easy to set up, but they do not fully protect your home and appliances. First, they only protect the devices plugged into them. Second, they can only handle a limited amount of electricity.
Plug-in devices will not protect against lightning strikes or major grid fluctuations. They also wear out after a few years, and they may stop working after a substantial surge. Determining when the power strip has stopped working can be difficult, putting your electronics at risk.
When people imagine a power surge, they’re often thinking about a lightning strike. While lightning does cause surges, other factors do as well. Grid switching is another common cause of power surges. When operators switch power generators on and off to regulate the electrical supply, or a homeowner switches between the main power grid and solar panels or a backup generator, the fluctuations can cause surges.
Restoring power after a Public Safety Power Shutoff, which can happen because of repairs or weather emergencies, can also cause problems. Large applications that consume varying amounts of power can also lead to a surge.
There are two types of residential surge protection. While they work similarly, they are installed at different points in your home’s electrical line. Type 1 surge protection blocks external surges, like lightning strikes, while Type 2 devices manage internal fluctuations like those from large appliances.
Both can also be installed for maximum protection. The cost of the devices themselves ranges from $50 to $250, and the overall whole house surge protector cost, including installation, can range from about $300 to $1000.
The whole house surge protector installation process is straightforward, but still requires an expert electrician to do it safely.
The entire process takes about two hours. Since the power will be turned off during the installation, plan your activities accordingly.
707 Plumbers, Inc. & Electric’s expertise goes beyond plumbing. Our team includes expert electricians and HVAC professionals. If you’re considering adding power panel surge protection to your Sonoma County home, we have the skills you need. Contact us to get started with a free estimate today.
Image credit: // Shutterstock // Kmpzzz
