When storms happen, they can wreak havoc on your home’s electrical system and all connected devices. Lightning strikes can cause power surges. Strong winds might knock down power lines, leading to voltage fluctuations and outages. To keep your home safe, you need to add a whole-house surge protection system. There are several types available and many reasons that justify the cost.
What Is a Whole-Home Surge Protection System?
Whole-house surge protectors connect directly to a home’s main electrical panel. During power surges, the protectors divert excess voltage away from the home. This protects the wiring and connected devices from damage and permanent failure. Whole-house surge protectors prove of the utmost importance during lightning strikes and electrical grid overloads. They also come in handy when large appliances cycle on and off quickly, causing voltage spikes.
There are two main types of whole-home surge protectors: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 protectors safeguard your home against external surges caused by lightning or utility grid problems. Type 2 protectors offer protection against internal surges, such as those caused by large appliances. For the best protection possible, your home needs a combination of both surge protectors.
Protect Your Electronics From Damage and Save Money
There’s a good chance your home has a lot of modern electronics (e.g., TVs, computers, entertainment systems, etc.). During power surges, the internal and external parts of these devices become vulnerable to irreparable damage. The voltage surges and fluctuations can easily overload circuits or render the devices useless. Having to replace affected devices might become extremely expensive, especially when surges affect multiple parts of the home. With a whole-house surge protector, your devices receive the ultimate form of protection against surges that fry their internal components.
Fewer Disruptions to Your Daily Lifestyle
Your home has lots of appliances that you depend on every single day. You use the refrigerator to store food and beverages. The washing machine makes it easy to keep your clothes clean. Dishwashers simplify cleaning dishes. During storms, power surges and voltage changes can cause premature wear on these appliances. With a whole-house surge protector, you can rest easy knowing these appliances are safe and protected from power fluctuations. This means fewer disruptions to your daily routine.
Increase Value of Your Property
If you ever decide to sell your home, you’ll want to secure the highest possible price for it. One of the easiest ways to increase its value is to add a whole-home surge protector. The protector itself not only increases the home’s value but also helps buyers see that you effectively maintained the electrical system. This may further increase the buyer’s perceived value because it reduces future maintenance concerns.
Prevent Data Loss
A lot of people these days rely on electronics to store important information, like documents, photos, videos and other files. Keeping these devices safe is crucial to protecting the information from power surges and voltage spikes during storms. If lightning were to strike, it could leave the electrical system damaged and destroy all the stored data. Whole-home surge protection will shield your devices from electrical damage and prevent data loss.
Safeguard Home Wiring
The insulation and circuitry in your wiring are vulnerable to damage from voltage surges, which may cause short circuits. A whole-house surge protector will absorb or reroute the extra energy before it reaches your electrical wiring.
Help Prevent Fires
Overloaded circuits, damaged wiring and power surges are the three main causes of residential electrical fires. Whole-house surge protectors have a unique design to specifically target surges and voltage fluctuations that cause these fires. The protectors divert excess voltage safely to the ground, preventing damage to electrical components and ensuring proper dissipation. This decreases the risk of sparks and subsequent fires in your house.
Reduce Insurance Claims
The damage caused by power surges during storms may require you to file an insurance claim. And while insurance is a good thing, the more claims you file, the higher your premium becomes. Using a whole-house surge protector is an excellent way to keep claims to a minimum. A lot of insurance providers will even offer discounts on premiums if you show proof of a whole-house surge protector.
Keep Home Automation Systems Running at All Times
Home automation systems are a great way to achieve better convenience at home. Smart thermostats make it simple to regulate heating and cooling from afar. Outdoor lighting and smart cameras provide enhanced security and greater peace of mind. For these automation systems to work, they need a reliable power supply. A whole-house protector will safeguard the home from lightning and surges, so each automation system always stays functional. This not only makes the home safer and more convenient but also more energy efficient.
How Long Does It Take to Set Up Whole-House Surge Protection?
It usually takes two to four hours to install a whole-house surge protector. However, the intricacy of your electrical system will affect the total time it takes to complete the project.
An electrician with the proper training will first check your home’s electrical panel for surge protector compatibility. Once the electrician decides on the right model, they will disconnect the house’s main power supply. The next step is to attach the surge protector directly to the electrical panel and make the required connections. After making sure the system is up and running, the electrician will test it.
Required Maintenance for Whole-House Surge Protectors
Whole-house surge protectors don’t require much maintenance, but you should check yours regularly. The protector most likely has an indicator light on it. If it’s red, you might need to schedule a repair or replacement. It’s also smart to have a qualified electrician check the protector periodically. Over time, surge protectors can degrade, especially after absorbing multiple surges. An inspection by a professional will ensure your protector doesn’t have any faulty connections or damaged components.
How Long Do Whole-House Surge Protectors Last?
Most whole-house surge protectors last anywhere from three to five years. The number of surges they absorb greatly impacts their overall lifespan. The more surges they take in, the shorter their life. Many surge protectors come with warranties, making it very important to keep your receipt. If damaged or no longer functional, you might be able to get a whole new surge protector at no cost to yourself.
Reasons to Avoid DIY Installation
A whole-house surge protector is not something you should try to install on your own. You risk damaging appliances, starting a fire and even voiding your warranty if you attempt a DIY installation. Our residential electrical services experts will guarantee a proper and effective installation that keeps your home safe and fully protected.
Our professionals offer advanced solutions for whole-home surge protection. We also specialize in other ways to make your home safer, including electrical grounding, rewiring, GFCI outlet upgrades, and more.
Contact Dawson's Electric & Air today to schedule expert whole-house surge protection services in Fuquay-Varina, NC.
