How to Put Money in Your Pocket with Whole-Home Surge Protection
Storms have a way of putting an end to your television, computer or some other appliance. It is enough to make one think about the value of all the electronics in the house and wonder if they are worth the risk. And you are not alone in being fed up with having to put out for a new device because the old one simply conked out without explanation.
We at Electrical Pros, LLC see our role as helping homeowners in Northeast Kansas put their mind at ease. From our Topeka base we put over 12 years of practical electrical know-how to work on every project for clients in Olathe, Leavenworth, Osage City, Holton, Gardner, Alma and the surrounding area. Give us a ring at (785) 246-5708.
In the way of investments, whole-home surge protection is hard to beat. We will show you in this post what it does and why it is good for your wallet.
The Source of Power Surges
Lightning is what most would point to as the culprit behind a power surge but that is not the whole picture. In fact you may be surprised how often surges originate within the home itself.
Some of the usual suspects are:
- Lightning in the vicinity of power lines
- Outages or switching on the utility grid
- The cycling of big appliances such as a refrigerator or air conditioner
- Downed lines in the wake of a storm
- An overloaded circuit
- Old or faulty wiring
All of these put extra voltage into your system. You do not even have to be aware of them for the small surges to take their toll on what is plugged in.
Damaged Electronics Run You Up a Bill
Make a list of the things in your home that need electricity: the TV, the gaming system, your HVAC, smart devices and kitchen appliances. They can amount to a lot. A few replacements from that list and you are out thousands.
It is common for a homeowner to put down a non-working device and move on without making the connection to a surge. Then the cost of doing so has mounted over time. One good strike of lightning will put several devices out of commission, but the cumulative effect of smaller surges is no less expensive; they cut the life of your electronics short.
What Whole-Home Surge Protection Does
There is only so much a power strip can do and it leaves hardwired things like the furnace or garage door opener exposed.
Whole-home protection is installed right at the electrical panel and covers the entire house. Should a surge travel down the utility line the protector will shunt the voltage to ground before it gets to an outlet.
Among the things it will stand guard over are:
- HVAC and large hardwired appliances
- Home theater and televisions
- Any networking equipment or computers
- Security systems and smart home tech
- Dimmers and LED lighting
- Appliances in the kitchen
For those who want two layers of defense on their more sensitive electronics, we often see homeowners add point-of-use protectors as well.
Where the Savings Are to Be Found
Do the math. Once installed, a whole-home unit will look after everything in the house for years. Put that against the tab for a new computer, TV and kitchen appliance in the aftermath of a storm and the figures speak for themselves. Add to that the fact your electronics will last longer when not being eroded by daily surges and the savings are considerable.
Then there is the convenience of not having to go shopping for a replacement and set it up, or lose your data and settings. That is value enough for some families.
Make the Local Electrician Your Choice
You want a licensed and insured electrician for this sort of thing. It is done at the main panel and calls for a safe and proper job.
As a locally owned and operated company, not some franchise from out of town, we have an interest in doing right by our neighbors in Northeast Kansas. We are here 24/7 and happy to provide a free estimate so you can see what the cost would be for your home.
If you are done writing off money to storm damage and want to get your electronics some protection, call us at (785) 246-5708. We do residential and commercial work and are on hand to put your budget and your home in good order.
