You flick a switch, and the lights come on. While everything might seem normal, the voltage in your home can vary due to different factors. A standard home outlet usually provides 120 volts, but this can sometimes rise unexpectedly. Even though a sudden spike in voltage, known as a power surge, may last only a few seconds, it can cause serious damage. Here’s what you need to know about total home surge protection and why it’s a wise financial decision to safeguard your home.

Understanding Electrical Surges

Electrical surges, also known as power surges, are sudden increases in voltage that can damage your home’s electrical devices. These surges can come from both internal and external sources.

• Internal Sources: Inside your home, surges can occur due to faulty wiring, turning on high-voltage appliances at once, or using power strips without surge protection. When your refrigerator or air conditioner turns on, it can create a brief surge that may affect other devices plugged into the same circuit. These surges might seem minor, but over time they can degrade the performance and lifespan of your electronics.

• External Sources: Outside your home, surges can be caused by lightning strikes, power grid issues, and utility company power surges. If lightning strikes a power line near your home, the surge of electricity can travel through the power lines and into your home’s electrical system and damage your electrical system. Power grid issues, such as switching operations or equipment failures, can also lead to surges that affect multiple homes in a neighborhood.

The damage from these surges can range from frying a single appliance to causing widespread damage to your home’s electrical system. In fact, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) reports that 60-80% of surges come from within the home. This means that even if you take all possible precautions against external surges, you still need protection against the ones that originate inside your home.

What is Total Home Surge Protection?

Total home surge protection involves installing devices that safeguard your entire electrical system from surges. These devices include surge protectors for your main electrical panel and point-of-use protectors for individual appliances.

How It Works: Surge protectors work by diverting excess voltage away from your home’s electrical system. When a surge occurs, the protector detects the spike in voltage and redirects the excess energy to the ground, preventing it from reaching and damaging your appliances and electronics. This process happens almost instantaneously, ensuring that your devices remain safe, even during sudden and severe surges.

Benefits of Total Home Surge Protection

• Comprehensive Protection: With total home surge protection, your entire electrical system is shielded from surges, whether they originate inside or outside your home. This means that every device, from your refrigerator to your home office equipment, is protected from voltage spikes.

• Cost Savings: Preventing surge damage means you avoid expensive repairs or replacements of appliances and electronics. Repairing and replacing damaged appliances can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Investing in surge protection can save you these costs, making it a wise financial decision in the long run.

• Peace of Mind: Knowing your home is protected from unexpected surges gives you peace of mind, especially during storms or utility work. You won’t have to worry about unplugging all your devices every time there’s a thunderstorm or scheduled maintenance by the utility company.

• Increased Property Value: Homes with surge protection are more appealing to potential buyers, adding value to your property. Prospective buyers are likely to appreciate the added safety and reliability of a home equipped with comprehensive surge protection, making it a selling point if you ever decide to move.

• Insurance Benefits: Some insurance companies offer discounts on homeowner’s insurance if you have surge protection installed. This is because surge protection reduces the risk of electrical damage claims, making your home a lower risk for the insurer. Check with your insurance provider to see if you qualify for any discounts.

Final Thoughts

Protecting your home from electrical surges is not just a smart move; it's essential. Total home surge protection provides comprehensive coverage, saving you money and giving you peace of mind. Don’t wait for a costly surge to hit—invest in surge protection today.

If you have any questions about whole-home surge protection or backup power technologies in Panama City and surrounding areas, we’re more than happy to help. Contact us today, or give us a call at (850) 565-9138.