Is a Surge Protector Worth It?

We are no strangers to power outages in Grand Haven.

Lightning strikes and strong wind can take out electricity infrastructure, and power companies often purposely cut service as a safety precaution during the wildfire season.

Losing power in your home is bad enough, but voltage spikes that may occur after the utility company restores electricity can be catastrophic. Excessive voltage can damage your electrical system, devices, and appliances.

Elite Air Heating and Cooling can help you avoid a devastating power surge with a whole-home surge protector. We have years of experience in the electrical industry, and our qualified electricians have equipped many residential homes and businesses in Grand Haven, and surrounding areas with surge protection.

How do Power Surges Occur?

A power spike may occur when the electric company moves service from one grid to another or restores electricity after an outage or brownout.

Voltage fluctuations can occur within your home at any time of the year when appliances or your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment turn on and off. Overloading your electrical system and faulty wiring also may cause a power surge.

How Does a Power Surge Affect Your Home?

A power surge can damage your electrical panel, wires, and anything plugged or directly wired into your electrical system.

Imagine losing your HVAC system in a split-second surge!

Repeated minor power spikes can chip away at your electrical system’s integrity or slowly damage electrical devices and appliances plugged into outlets, shortening their lifespans. Eventually, they may break down or malfunction, increasing fire risk.

The U.S. Fire Administration reports fire departments nationwide in 2023 responded to approximately 23,700 electrical fires causing over 300 deaths and $1.5 billion in property damage.

That does not mean a voltage spike will start a fire in your home, but surge-damaged wiring and electrical devices might.

What is a Surge Protector?

A surge protector safeguards your electrical system from sudden and overwhelming voltage spikes or power surges.

Our experts at Elite Air Heating and Cooling can install a surge protector in your electrical power panel in less than an hour. A whole-home surge protector will stop incoming or internal power surges from ruining your electrical system and devices.

Adding whole-house surge protection offers these benefits:

• Peace of mind: You can breathe easier knowing your valuable electronics, appliances, lighting, and HVAC will not succumb to a catastrophic and sudden voltage spike.

• Total protection: Unlike a power strip that protects a handful of items, a whole-home surge protector shields your entire electrical system. 

• Saves on repairs: A surge protector is cost-effective. Repairing or replacing your damaged electrical panel, appliances, or HVAC system outweighs the cost of installing a whole-home surge protector.

Whole-Home Surge Protector FAQ

1. How long does it take to install a whole-home surge protector?

Typically, a professional electrician can install a whole-home surge protector in 1 to 4 hours. The exact time can vary depending on the complexity of your home’s electrical panel and if any modifications are needed, such as adding space for a new breaker. It’s crucial that a licensed electrician performs this installation to ensure safety and proper functionality.

2. How long does a whole-home surge protector last?

The lifespan of a whole-home surge protector generally ranges from 3 to 10 years. Its longevity is significantly affected by the frequency and intensity of power surges it absorbs. A single, powerful surge, like a lightning strike, can also significantly shorten its life or render it ineffective. Many devices have indicator lights to show if they are still functioning.

3. What does a whole-home surge protector cover?

A whole-home surge protector is installed at your main electrical panel and is designed to safeguard all appliances and electronics connected to your home’s electrical system from power surges. This includes major appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, HVAC systems), sensitive electronics (computers, TVs, gaming consoles), and even wired systems like security systems and smart home devices.

It acts as the first line of defense, diverting excess voltage away from your home’s wiring and reducing the risk of damage from both external surges (like lightning or utility grid fluctuations) and internal surges (caused by large appliances cycling on and off).

Install Whole-Home Surge Protection

Let our qualified team at Elite Air Heating and Cooling install a whole-home surge protector in your home and gain peace of mind knowing your HVAC equipment and delicate electrical devices are safe. For a free electrical consultation in Grand Haven, and surrounding areas, call us at 231-903-2077 or request service online.