You are viewing the Fort Walton Beach, FL location.
When it comes to protecting your home and valuable electronics from power surges, the options can feel overwhelming. As your trusted electricians in Crestview, at Peaden, our team of Peaden Pros often gets asked, “Is whole-house surge protection really worth it?” The answer is a resounding yes — and here’s why.
What Causes Power Surges?
Power surges happen when there’s a sudden spike in electrical current. These surges can occur for several reasons, including:
- Lightning Strikes: While rare, a lightning strike can send a massive surge through your home’s electrical system.
- Utility Company Issues: Sudden changes in power supply or maintenance work by your utility provider can lead to surges.
- Appliance Overload: High-energy appliances like HVAC systems and refrigerators can cause small, frequent surges.
Over time, even minor surges can degrade sensitive electronics, shorten the lifespan of appliances, and potentially cause a fire hazard.
Power Strips Aren’t Enough
Power strips with built-in surge protection are a popular choice for safeguarding individual devices, and they do have their place. However, relying on power strips alone leaves your home vulnerable in several ways:
- Limited Coverage: Power strips protect only the devices plugged into them. What about your hardwired appliances like your HVAC system, washer, and dryer?
- Capacity Constraints: Most power strips can handle only small surges, offering little defense against larger spikes caused by lightning or utility issues.
- Wear and Tear: Over time, the protective components inside power strips degrade, leaving you with little more than an overpriced extension cord.
The Benefits of Whole-House Surge Protection
Whole-house surge protection offers a comprehensive solution for safeguarding your entire home. Here’s why we recommend it to all our customers:
Protects All Electronics and Appliances
Whole-house surge protectors are installed at your electrical panel, providing a first line of defense for everything in your home. This includes major appliances, HVAC systems, and even your smart home devices.
Handles Larger Surges
Unlike power strips, whole-house surge protectors are designed to handle significant surges. They divert excess voltage away from your home’s wiring, keeping your devices and appliances safe.
Cost-Effective in the Long Run
While the upfront cost of a whole-house surge protector may seem high, it’s a fraction of what you could spend replacing damaged electronics or repairing your home’s electrical system after a major surge.
Peace of Mind During Storms
Florida is no stranger to lightning storms. Knowing your home has robust surge protection in place means less worry about the next big storm.
How Whole-House Surge Protection Works
A whole-house surge protector is typically installed by a licensed electrician — like your local Peaden Pros—at your home’s electrical panel. When a surge occurs, the device detects the excess voltage and safely redirects it to the ground wire, preventing it from reaching your home’s wiring and connected devices.
For optimal protection, we recommend a layered approach:
- Primary Protection: Install a whole-house surge protector at the electrical panel.
- Secondary Protection: Use quality surge-protecting power strips for your most sensitive electronics, like computers and entertainment systems.
We’ve got the expertise and experience to keep your home safe. Let us help you take the next step in protecting your investment. Give us a call today!