Power surges can happen in any home, frequently without warning, and even minor surges can gradually damage your gadgets and appliances over time. Protecting your investment begins with understanding the root cause of power surges, as well as how a whole-home surge protector can help.
What Causes Power Surges?
The most well-known cause is lightning. A nearby strike can send a massive spike of electricity through power lines and into your home. While direct lightning strikes are rare, even indirect strikes can create dangerous voltage spikes.
However, lightning isn’t the only cause. In fact, most power surges occur within the home. Large appliances, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines, cycle on and off continuously throughout the day. These appliances require a significant amount of electricity to start, and the sudden demand can cause minor, recurring surges. Over time, these mini surges can damage televisions, laptops, gaming systems, and smart home devices.
Utility company grid switching, downed power lines, defective wiring, and power outages followed by a quick restoration can all cause surges. As households rely more on technology, the risk and cost of surge damage rise.
Why a Whole-Home Surge Protector Is a Good Investment
A whole-home surge protector is installed at your electrical panel and serves as a gatekeeper for incoming voltage. When excessive voltage enters your system, the device securely directs it to the ground before it can damage your equipment.
Unlike standard power strips, whole-home surge protectors cover every circuit in your home, including systems such as HVAC units, ovens, and water heaters. They provide comprehensive protection, decrease the need for costly repairs, and extend the life of your equipment.