Did you know lightning strikes can cause power surges and property damage? According to a report by the Insurance Information Institute, lightning strikes 20 million US homes every year, leading to over $1 billion worth of property damages annually.
These unfortunate events make having surge protectors at home even more crucial.
When it comes to protecting your home’s electrical system from power surges, a whole-house surge protector is an essential tool. We created a whole house surge protector installation cost guide to help you better understand the fees involved with owning this device. Let’s get started!
What Is a Whole House Surge Protector?
A whole house surge protector is a device that is installed at the main electrical panel of a home. It works by diverting excess voltage from electrical surges away from sensitive devices and appliances, and into the grounding wire of the home’s electrical system.
The purpose is to prevent damage to electrical devices and appliances, as well as to reduce the risk of electrical fires.
Whole House Surge Protector Installation Cost
A whole house surge protector installation cost ranges from $70 to $300, depending on certain factors that we’ll discuss below:
Labor Cost:
Usually, a professional whole house surge protector installation cost would go around $50 to $100 per hour, depending on expertise and experience. It’s always best to ask for estimates from reputable electrical companies in Arizona.
Type of Surge Protector
There are three types of surge protectors that you can install in your home:
Type 1:
This type of surge protector can provide optimum surge protection from external forces like lightning and thunder, and even low power surges. It provides the first line of defense against power surges that can enter a building through the utility power lines.
Type 2:
This type of surge protector is one of the most widely-used, typically installed at either the primary or subpanel of your electrical system. Its main purpose is to protect a single circuit within your entire panel’s electrical panel.
Type 3:
Type 3 surge protectors, also referred to as power strip surge protectors, can be installed into wall outlets in your home and connected by plugging directly into the electrical outlets for power. It usually comes with 4 to 6 additional power outlets that are great for appliances like TVs and computers.
Surge Protector Brand
The brand also plays a major role in the cost of the whole-house surge protector installation. To give you an idea, a unit may cost about $70 to $350 depending on its size and functionality.
Some popular brands that are typically more expensive are the following:
- Leviton
- Siemens
- Eaton
- Square D
- Intermatic
How Long Does a Surge Protector Last?
A whole home surge protector is a one-time investment, which means that it is more commonly replaced than repaired. You can think of these devices like sponges, but instead of absorbing liquid, house surge protectors absorb the excess and unsafe power surges before it reaches your appliances.
On average, a home power surge protector can last anywhere from 3 to 5 years. With regular inspection from us, we can help ensure that the device is properly working, and has not yet run out of power.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Whole House Surge Protector?
As an electrician, there are both advantages and drawbacks to installing whole house surge protectors for your electrical panel. Here are the key takeaways about having surge protectors installed:
Pros:
- Protects all electronic devices from power surges
- Provides constant whole-house surge protection
- Helps reduce the risk of electrical fires and other safety hazards
- Cost-effective
- Increases the home’s resale value
Cons:
- Can be very expensive to install
- Not 100% foolproof
- May require professional maintenance to check for functionality
[Read more: Pros and Cons of Whole House Surge Protector]
Do Whole House Surge Protectors Really Work?
Yes, whole-house surge protectors do work to protect homes from electrical surges. As an electrician with years of experience with power strips and whole home protectors, I can attest that they actually work!
There is also one study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology stating that a surge protector can significantly reduce the risk of damage to electronic devices caused by power surges.
The mechanism behind this is that the surge protection device redirects the excess voltage away from sensitive electrical devices and appliances, and into the grounding wire of the home’s electrical system.
Protect Your Electronics Today!
Whole house surge protectors can be your first line of defense to protect your expensive devices and appliances from getting damaged due to a power surge. If you’re ready to have one installed at your home, Assurance Electrical Services is right here, 24/7!
Our professional electricians are always ready to answer any questions that you may have regarding whole home surge protectors. Give us a call today.
Jeff Brandlin is the founder of Assurance Electrical Services, LLC. He started in the electrical industry when he was 21 and had worked in several electrical firms before founding Assurance Electrical. Jeff is dedicated to providing the best quality service to his clients and always puts their needs first. Outside work, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife and children.
