Protect your home from damaging electrical surges with a whole-house surge protector.
A massive storm is brewing outside, and it’s just a matter of time before the lights go out. Suddenly, a loud crack echoes in the sky, and you later discover that several of your electronics were affected by the lightning.
Texas lightning can be devastating for your home’s appliances
Texas is well-known for the unpredictable weather, as well as robust displays of electrical energy, aka lightning.
Did you know that Texas led the nation with 3.3 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes in 2017?
Electrical storms are scary and can wreak havoc on your home’s appliances by causing surges of electricity. VAISALA reports that a single bolt of lightning can carry over 100 million volts of electricity —and reach temperatures of 53,000 degrees. Whew!
Texas led the nation with 3.3 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes in 2017.
And it’s not just the big flashes of lightning that can cause damage to your house. A local electrical company estimates that 80% of surges can be generated from in-home appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators cycling on and off.
While some home appliances have built-in surge protectors, they may not be enough to withstand large surges caused by lightning strikes or the constant ‘mini’ surges that happen inside the home. And, electrical surges can completely wipe out expensive LED lighting since surge protectors aren’t usually found in the fixtures. A close friend just spent $1,200 replacing her ceiling LED lighting, which had been taken out in an electrical storm.
So, could your home benefit from protection? Keep reading to discover how a whole-house surge protector can help save you thousands of dollars in damages to your critical appliances and fixtures.
Benefits of a Whole House Surge Protector
Many homeowners incorrectly assume that protecting their appliances, computers, and other electronics from surges is as easy as using a dollar-store power strip. Unfortunately, power strips only provide a minimal level of protection against surges.
Having a whole-home surge protector will give you peace of mind in knowing that all of your electronics are safe and sound, and your house is protected.
What is a whole-house surge protector?
A whole-house surge protector is a device that works by limiting the voltage spikes that occur in your home. Think of it like pressure relief for your electricity. When it gets too high, the whole house surge protector blocks it from overflowing into the house.
Do whole-house surge protectors work?
Short answer: yes. Now, in saying that, it’s important to understand what whole-home surge protectors do and do not do. A whole-house surge protector protects your home from high-voltage surges. Therefore, there are a few smaller surges that can still leak through the “cracks” and potentially damage smaller appliances. In this case, having those power strips can come in handy.
While your whole-house surge protector will keep the big surges from affecting your valuable electronics, the power strip will help to protect your things from the smaller surges that get past the whole-house surge protector.
How much does a home surge protector cost?
Like all useful home additions, the cost of a whole-house surge protector varies across the board, with some as low as $50 and others as high as $250. The size, response time, durability, and other significant factors ultimately determine the price.
Where can I get a whole-house surge protector?
Whole-house surge protectors can be found at any home improvement store, such as Home Depot or Lowe’s. You can also get one from Amazon or Walmart if you don’t have a home improvement store nearby. If you’re looking for one, they aren’t too hard to find.
Can I install a whole-home surge protector myself?
Unless you’re an electrician, it is not recommended to install a whole-house surge protector by yourself. Although a professional can probably have one installed within 1-2 hours, you don’t want to play around with electricity on your own for the sake of saving a few bucks. You can start a fire or even shock yourself if you’re not careful. Hiring a professional electrician for the installation is definitely your best bet.
How do I pick the best whole-house surge protector?
When selecting your whole-house surge protector, it’s best to get one with a low VPR, or voltage protective rating. Lower is better. Lower VPRs provide better coverage for all surges, not just when a huge power surge occurs. You will get the best protection from a whole-house surge protector when the VPR is under 600V.
We hope you’ve enjoyed your crash course on whole-house surge protectors and realize the importance of having one in your home. Not having one can cause damage to your appliances and even start small fires. A $200-$300 investment could save you a lot of money in the future, so make sure you get a whole-house surge protector this holiday season.
About Judi Wright – Trusted Real Estate Expert
With over 50 years of experience in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and 23 years as a Real Estate agent, Judi is one of North Texas’ most trusted and accomplished real estate professionals. As an award-winning Top Realtor, she has built a reputation for excellence, integrity, and personalized service throughout Collin, Dallas and Denton counties (and beyond). Judi treats every client like family and works hard to deliver an experience worth recommending. References and testimonials are available upon request and Judi would be honored to earn your business.
