A Whole House Surge Protector: 5 Benefits You’ll Want to Consider
Imagine you’re sitting in your living room, enjoying a movie on the couch, when your lights flicker. Suddenly, with a crack of thunder and lightning, your power goes out completely. Slowly, things start coming back to life, but your television never recovers, and several other appliances didn’t make it through the power surge. But what could have helped prevent this from happening? A whole house surge protector!
A power surge is a significant increase in electrical current in your home’s power line caused by various factors like lightning strikes, power outages, or large appliances turning on and off. The excess voltage from a power surge can damage sensitive electronics in your home, such as air conditioners and appliances. A whole house surge protector offers excellent protection from power surges by diverting the excess power back through the ground wire, preventing it from reaching your devices.
While these devices cannot protect against direct lightning strikes, they form an essential part of a comprehensive approach to home surge protection, which should also include proper grounding and regular maintenance. Despite the varying costs depending on the model and features, many homeowners consider them a worthwhile investment for the protection they offer to all sensitive electronics in the home. Here are some top reasons you might want to consider installing a whole house surge protector if you do not already have one!
1. Safeguard Your High-Tech Devices
Today’s homes have high-tech devices, including smart TVs, home- automation systems, and advanced kitchen appliances. These electronics are sensitive to power surges and can suffer severe damage or total failure in the event of a surge. As mentioned previously, power surges can be triggered by various factors like lightning strikes or large appliances cycling on and off. A whole house surge protector helps by diverting these potentially damaging power surges, providing a first line of defense for your electronics.
Whole house surge protectors cover all three incoming lines: hot, neutral, and ground, offering comprehensive protection. Their protection of valuable appliances makes them a worthy investment for many homeowners. Essentially, a whole house surge protector is vital for every tech-savvy homeowner, safeguarding sensitive electronics from power surges, ensuring peace of mind, and protecting your high-tech investments. Remember, a licensed electrician should do installation for safety and functionality.
2. Shield Against Transient Surges
Transient surges, or temporary voltage spikes, are common occurrences that can degrade the performance and lifespan of your appliances over time. Various factors, including power line interference, electrical equipment cycling, or distant lightning strikes, can cause these surges. A whole house surge protector, installed directly into your home’s electrical service panel, protects against these surges by continuously monitoring the electrical current, swiftly diverting any excess voltage away from your home’s system.
This device protects electrical lines and cable and telephone lines, providing comprehensive defense against transient surges. Despite the initial cost, a whole house surge protector is an investment that helps maintain optimal appliance performance, extends their lifespan, and reduces the need for costly repairs or replacements, thereby protecting your valuable appliances in the long run.
3. Prevention of Electrical Fires
Electrical fires can be caused by incorrect wiring, overloaded circuits, or, in extreme cases, power surges, which pose a significant risk to home safety. Whole house surge protectors contribute significantly to preventing these fires by monitoring and controlling the electricity flow, diverting any excess voltage away from your home’s system. While these protectors effectively prevent fires caused by power surges, they’re part of a broader set of safety measures. Regular inspections of electrical wiring, avoiding outlet overloading, ensuring the proper fitting of outlets, and maintaining cleanliness in areas with electrical appliances are all crucial steps in preventing electrical fires.
4. Protection for Your Entire Electrical System
A Whole House Surge Protective Device (SPD) is a comprehensive shield for your home, safeguarding your valuable appliances and your entire electrical system from damaging electrical surges. Beyond the protection of individual appliances, an SPD provides an additional layer of defense by securing your entire electrical infrastructure, including outlets, switches, and wiring.
Despite these numerous benefits, it’s crucial to remember that installing a whole house surge protector is not a DIY job. Professional installation is essential to ensure the device functions correctly and safely, thus maintaining its efficacy in protecting your home and enhancing its overall electrical safety.
5. Whole House Surge Protectors Provide Peace of Mind
In our technology-driven world, we rely heavily on many electrical appliances and systems. From refrigerators and HVAC systems to home entertainment systems and computers, these devices provide comfort and convenience and are often integral to our daily routines. However, with the ever-present risk of power surges caused by factors such as lightning strikes or fluctuations in the power grid, the potential for damage to these valuable appliances is a constant concern.
A whole house surge protector serves as a first line of defense against power surges, diverting excess voltage away from your home’s electrical system and providing peace of mind about the health of your electrical system in case of a surge. The relaxation that comes with knowing your valuable appliances and electronics are shielded from damaging power surges cannot be overstated. No longer will you have to worry about a storm causing a power surge that could damage your appliances or disrupt your home’s electrical system. With a whole house surge protector, you can rest easy knowing that your home and everything in it is protected.
However, it’s crucial to remember that surge protectors are not a cure-all for all electrical problems. They can’t protect against direct lightning strikes or resolve issues related to your home’s internal wiring. So, a comprehensive approach to home electrical safety is essential, including proper wiring, grounding, and regular maintenance.
Do You Need A Whole House Surge Protector Installation?
Whole house surge protectors are a sound investment for any homeowner. They help protect your high-tech devices, avoid damage to appliances and electronics, and could even prevent electrical fires. If you’re considering installing a whole house surge protector, consult with us to ensure it’s done correctly and safely. To get started, contact us today!