Is Surge Protection Worth It?

One of the most common questions we get as contractors from home and business owners is whether surge protection is necessary. Unsurprisingly, our homes and businesses are stuffed to the walls with expensive electronics and appliances. However, surge protection devices are an additional expense, making some people wonder how important they really are. From our experience in the field, surge protection isn’t just important; protecting valuable appliances, electronics, and even a building’s structural integrity is essential. Here’s why surge protection matters and why we recommend this to our clients who ask.

Understanding Power Surges

What’s a power surge, anyway? Power surges occur when sudden and unexpected voltage increases occur. Most electrical systems in homes and commercial buildings can handle a steady, stable voltage (typically 120 volts in the U.S.); surges can push the voltage up to thousands of volts instantaneously.

Here are the main sources of power surges:

Lightning Strikes: Lightning strikes are rare but can put a massive electrical surge into the building’s wiring.

Utility Grid Switching: Power companies sometimes switch distribution lines or adjust the electrical flow, which can cause power surges.

Large Appliances: Refrigerators, air conditioners, and industrial machinery can cause small power surges when turning on and off.

Faulty Wiring: Older buildings with outdated or damaged wiring can cause the electrical system to become unstable, leading to surges.

Power Outages: When power comes back on after an outage, the sudden restoration can lead to a surge through the system.

Not having protection during a surge can damage or destroy valuable computers, electronics, and appliances.

Risks of Not Having Surge Protection

From a contractor’s perspective, there are significant risks of not using a surge protector, especially considering our dependence on our devices and technology. Just think about everything you use daily: computers, phones, tablets, TVs, refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, HVAC systems, and more. Every one of those is susceptible to damage from power surges. Without surge protection, even a minor electrical event can result in:

• Costly repairs or replacements
• Data loss
• Fire hazards
• Service interruption

Suge Protection Options

When most people think about surge protection, they think about the power strips they get at the hardware store. However, as contractors, we recommend multi-layered approaches for total protection. Here’s what that looks like.

Whole House Surge Protectors: We install these surge protection systems at the main electrical panel to safeguard the entire building from external surges, such as those caused by lightning strikes or grid switching. They serve as the first line of defense.

Power Strips: This is the surge protector you’re probably familiar with. However, most of these products offer very little surge protection, which is why we recommend a whole-home system.

Specialty Surge Protectors: If you have sensitive electronics or a high-end system, you should invest in a specialty surge protector designed for HVAC systems, home theater equipment, or commercial machinery.

Surge Protection is a Worthwhile Investment

If you’re asking us if surge protection is worth it, our answer is a resounding “yes.” It’s a small investment that can save you thousands in device repairs or replacements and protect you from electrical fires.

As a general contractor, we believe that surge protection ensures the integrity of your electrical system and protects your valuable appliances and electronics. Installing a surge protector is a small investment that you’ll be glad you made in the event of a surge.

For more information about surge protectors or to get an estimate on your next construction project, call us.