Whole House Surge Protection: Why Your Home Needs It
You've probably plugged your TV and computer into a power strip with "surge protection." But did you know that power strips only catch a fraction of the surges that can damage your electronics—and they do nothing for your HVAC system, refrigerator, or washer?
Whole house surge protection is an investment that protects everything in your home. Here's what you need to know.
What Causes Power Surges?
External Surges (20% of surges) - Lightning strikes (direct or nearby) - Utility grid switching - Downed power lines - Transformer issues - Large equipment cycling at neighboring properties
Internal Surges (80% of surges) - HVAC compressor starting - Refrigerator cycling - Sump pump activation - Garage door opener - Any motor starting or stopping
That's right—most surges come from inside your own home, happening dozens of times per day.
What Gets Damaged?
Modern electronics contain sensitive microprocessors that can be damaged by voltage spikes. At risk:
High-value targets: - Smart TVs ($500-2,000) - Computers and home office equipment - Gaming consoles - Smart home devices
Often overlooked: - HVAC control boards ($500+ to replace) - Refrigerator electronics - Washer/dryer control panels - Garage door openers - LED light drivers
A single lightning strike within a mile of your home can send a surge through power lines that damages multiple appliances simultaneously. We've seen homeowners face $5,000+ in damage from a single storm.
Power Strips Aren't Enough
Point-of-use surge protectors (power strips) have limitations:
- Only protect what's plugged in - Your HVAC, water heater, and hardwired appliances have zero protection
- Degrade over time - Most don't indicate when protection is exhausted
- Limited capacity - Can't handle large surges from lightning
- Response time - May not react fast enough for very fast spikes
Power strips are fine as a second layer of defense, but they shouldn't be your only protection.
How Whole House Surge Protection Works
A whole house surge protector installs at your main electrical panel. When it detects excess voltage:
- Detects the surge in nanoseconds
- Diverts excess voltage to ground
- Allows normal power to continue to your home
- Resets automatically for the next event
Think of it as a pressure release valve for your electrical system.
Types of Whole House Surge Protectors
Type 1 (Service Entrance) - Installs between the meter and main panel - Handles the largest surges (lightning) - Requires utility company coordination
Type 2 (Panel-Mount) - Installs inside or beside your main panel - Handles external and internal surges - Most common residential choice - Easier installation
Type 3 (Point-of-Use) - Your power strips and plug-in devices - Last line of defense for sensitive equipment
Best practice: Type 2 at the panel PLUS Type 3 at sensitive electronics provides layered protection.
What to Look For
When choosing a surge protector:
Surge rating (kA): Higher is better. Look for 50kA minimum, 80kA+ preferred.
Clamping voltage: Lower is better. Indicates what voltage triggers protection. 400V or less.
Response time: Faster is better. Should be under 1 nanosecond.
UL 1449 Listed: Required for code compliance.
LED indicators: Shows protection status.
Warranty: Many include connected equipment coverage.
We typically install Eaton or Siemens whole house surge protectors, which provide excellent protection and warranties.
Installation Process
Installing a whole house surge protector typically takes about 1 hour:
- Turn off main breaker
- Mount surge protector - Inside panel or on nearby wall
- Connect to dedicated breaker - Usually 2-pole 15A or 20A
- Bond to ground bar
- Test and verify operation
- Register warranty
Common Questions
Q: I have a newer home. Don't I already have surge protection? A: Most homes don't include whole house surge protection standard. Even new construction typically needs it added.
Q: Will this protect against a direct lightning strike? A: No surge protector can guarantee protection from a direct strike (millions of volts). But whole house protection handles indirect strikes and utility surges that cause the vast majority of damage.
Q: How long do they last? A: Quality units last 10-20 years under normal conditions. Most have indicator lights that show when replacement is needed.
Q: Is it worth it if I already use power strips? A: Yes. Power strips can't protect hardwired appliances, and they miss internal surges. Whole house protection works with power strips for complete coverage.
Service Areas
We install whole house surge protection throughout the St. Louis metro including Chesterfield, Ballwin, Wildwood, Creve Coeur, Town and Country, Manchester, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, O'Fallon, St. Peters, St. Charles, Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, and Cottleville.
Protect Your Investment
Your home is full of expensive electronics. For a relatively small investment, whole house surge protection safeguards thousands of dollars in equipment.