Once you have installed a Home Surge Protector, your power strips become redundant. Some customer may choose to keep these for the convenience of turning off a group of lights or for offering battery back-up while a computer shuts down but many of these tasks are now handled via Smart Home features or no longer needed. A Whole Home Surge Protector replaces all of these devices with much more effective protection against power surges.
What about Point of Use Surge Protection?
We all have seen or used a power strip that has a "surge protector" built into it for certain appliances or electrical equipment. Some of these may include a battery back-up function allowing computers to automatically turn off when the power is out without losing valuable information. These are designed to protect against small surges only for the devices plugged into the strip or unit itself. These are a great option for items like computers but as more and more devices have circuit boards or other software built in, it becomes hard to install point of use devices.
Note: Point of Use Surge Protection devices become less effective over time. In reality, your 10 year old power strip may have outlived it's useful life for surge protection.
What is the warranty or coverage offered by a Whole Home Surge Protector?
In this case, not all surge protectors as created equal. Be sure to read the warranty and coverage information carefully as it varies quite a bit model from model.
We recommend Intermatic & Eaton brands specifically for both the quality of the equipment being installed as well as the warranty from the manufacturer. They both offer up to generous coverage in the event of a surge as well as offer a long warranty on the equipment itself.
We specifically like these two models for residential use:
EATON Ultimate Surge Protection ( CHSPT2ULTRA ):
Great low cost solution for residential needs. Limited lifetime warranty on equipment and $75,000 coverage for connected devices. Must be replaced after a surge event.
Intermatic Smart Guard Whole Home Surge Protector (IG2240-IMSK):
Intermatic is backed by a great warranty & quality equipment, & solid customer service. There is a 10 year product warranty and coverage for up to $50,000 on connected equipment. Modules can be replaced after a surge.
Why isn't my grounding rod enough?
We often see homes that meet modern grounding standards still lose thousands of dollars of electrical equipment and appliances to surges from indirect lightning strikes and power company line surges.
Home built before 2008 commonly have a single ground rod, new building codes require at least 2 ground rods to offer extra redundancy & protection to this home system but this still only limits the voltage and provide a way to send it safely into the earth.
The electrical industry agrees that the best protected home is one with a good grounding system, and good surge protection working together.
Does my homeowners policy cover power surges?
The answer here is maybe, in general most homeowners policies cover surges and damage caused directly by lightening but this may only apply to a direct or obvious strike. Coverage can vary for surges caused by less direct factors or may not be covered at all. It's best to check your specific coverage with your insurance company.
Can I install Home Surge Protection myself?
No, because installing a whole home surge protection involves accessing your main electrical panel, it should be done by a licensed electrician.
Which Home Surge Protector should I buy?
There are a wide variety of options available both at home improvement stores and online for home surge protection and in a wide variety of price ranges. The best kind will clearly list their interrupting rating, have an indicator light to let you know that they are still working and have not been blown by a direct strike, and have a good manufacturer warranty. Quality manufacturers provide a warranty covering all the in home devices and appliances that could be damaged by a surge or indirect strike.
We specifically recommend and frequently install the following 2 units, the Eaton unit is a bit moe affordable but the Intermatic offers the ability to replace modules in the event of a surge event by yourself, both are quality products.
EATON Ultimate Surge Protection ( CHSPT2ULTRA ):
Great low cost solution for residential needs. Limited lifetime warranty on equipment and $75,000 coverage for connected devices. Must be replaced after a surge event.
Intermatic Smart Guard Whole Home Surge Protector (IG2240-IMSK):
This unit comes with both a protection status light for easy checking and replaceable modules (can be done by homeowner) to reset the unit after a surge event.
Intermatic is backed by a great warranty & quality equipment, & solid customer service. There is a 10 year product warranty and coverage for up to $50,000 on connected equipment.
What does Whole Home Surge Protection cost?
Given the cost of losing a single major appliance or piece of equipment, whole home surge protection is remarkably affordable. It is one of the most common upgrades we suggest to residential customers.
Depending on the model selected and installation requirements of your home a home surge protector costs roughly $425-$700 depending on your home’s needs and existing electrical situation.
Bear in mind; you will need a minimum of two empty breaker slots available in your panel box and room to locate the surge protector immediately beside your electrical panel (rarely a problem). Additionally, if you home was built before 2008, you may need to upgrade your grounding system to include 2 ground rods as this is required by building code now. These items may increase the cost of installing Home Surge Protection on a case by case basis but it is still minor to the cost of replacing a major appliance or electronic device.