Why Whole Home Surge Protection TN Homes Need Is Worth It

Power surges in your home can damage expensive electronics and even put your home at risk of a fire. Whole home surge protection helps mitigate these risks and protect your entire home. In this guide, we will cover why whole home surge protection in TN is worth it, what causes electrical surges, and what you need to know about whole home surge protection.

 

What Is Whole Home Surge Protection?

A whole home surge protection system is a type of device installed near the electricity meter or in the main electrical panel in your home. Basic power strips and surge protectors are designed to protect individual devices through single outlets. By comparison, a whole home surge protection system safeguards not only the entire electrical system in your home, but also all of your appliances, such as refrigerators, televisions, and even your HVAC units.

What Does a Whole Home Surge Protection System Protect Against?

 

Whole home surge protection provides critical protection against sudden voltage spikes and power surges from external and internal sources. These spikes and surges may occur due to a variety of reasons. For instance, an internal voltage surge may occur when an appliance cycles on and off. External power surges often result from power grid fluctuations or lightning strikes. Power outages, fluctuations from the power company, and even transformer malfunctions can cause power surges once power is restored.

Faulty wiring can also present risks in your home. Improperly installed or aging electrical wiring can increase the risk of power fluctuations, putting your home at risk.

In the event of a direct or even a nearby lightning strike, massive surges can be sent through power lines. In such cases, anything that is connected to the electrical system in your home is at risk of damage.

While some surges only last for a very short time, the impact they have on your home can last for a long time. Such threats can be easily mitigated with the presence of a whole house surge protection system.

Common Household Appliances and Devices at Risk

Multiple devices in your home may be at risk to dangers posed by power surges, including:



·         Computers and networking equipment, such as laptops and modems

·         Smart home devices, including smart thermostats, security systems, and home automation hubs

·         HVAC systems, including furnaces and air conditioners

·         Home entertainment systems, including sound systems, televisions, and gaming consoles.

·         Appliances, including refrigerators, air conditioners, stoves, and more

How Do Whole Home Surge Protection Systems Work?

A whole home surge protection system works by monitoring voltage levels and safely diverting excessive energy to ground. This prevents excessive energy from ever reaching your devices and home’s electrical wiring system.

Benefits of Whole Home Surge Protection in TN

Whole home surge protection in TN homes is worth the investment to protect your home’s electrical system, appliances, and electronics from damaging power surges and voltage spikes. With a whole-home system, all the circuits hardwired to your appliances, such as stoves, water heaters, and HVAC systems, are protected, along with electronic devices like gaming consoles, computers, and televisions. Such a comprehensive first-line-of-defense protection helps protect your home against costly damage that might otherwise occur due to utility grid fluctuations, lightning strikes, or even internal appliance cycling.

Appliance Shielding and Protection

A small surge will usually damage only inexpensive items, but a larger surge can completely destroy more expensive items, requiring costly replacements. Furthermore, most homeowners will find that their insurance policies do not cover damage caused by power surges. This makes investing in whole home surge protection even more important for TN homeowners.

Safeguarding Your Home’s Electrical System

While protecting your home’s appliances is enough of a benefit to warrant investing in whole home surge protection, there is also the matter of your home’s electrical system. With a properly installed whole home surge protection system, your entire electrical system, including switches, outlets, and built-in systems, will be protected from the risks associated with voltage spikes and power surges. Without adequate protection, your home is at risk for sparks, short circuits, and possibly even fires. Investing in a whole home surge protection system protects your home and loved ones from the dangers of unexpected power surges.

Do I Need an Electrician to Install Whole Home Surge Protection?

A whole home surge protection system is different from a power strip. It must be wired directly into your home’s electrical panel, which means that a licensed electrician is required for installation. This will ensure that your surge protection system is properly installed and works as intended.

Installation of a Whole Home Surge Protection System

Your home must have proper electrical grounding for a whole home surge protection system to work properly. Since surge protectors work by diverting excessive amounts of energy into the ground, the system will not be able to function if the grounding system in your home is faulty or not stable. This could still leave your home vulnerable to voltage spikes and power surges. At Quality Plumbing Heating, Cooling, and Electrical, we recommend having one of our licensed electricians inspect your home's grounding system before a whole home surge protection system is installed. This will ensure there is a solid foundation for your surge protection system to work effectively.

How Many Whole Home Surge Protectors Do I Need?

At Quality Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical, we recommend assessing your home to determine whether multiple surge protectors may need to be installed in your home’s electrical system at different points. This type of layered system may be recommended if you live in an area that is prone to voltage fluctuations or frequent storms.

Final Thoughts

Whole home surge protectors provide the best level of first line defense against voltage spikes and power surges, safeguarding your home’s electrical system and appliances. The investment you make in a whole home surge protection system provides long-term peace of mind and protection. If you are interested in investing in whole home surge protection in TN, contact us at Quality Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical to learn more about installation and schedule a consultation.