Pros & Cons of Whole-Home Surge Protection

When determining the right type of surge protection for your home, comparing whole-home surge protection to traditional surge protectors is key. While big power outages that are caused by things like thunderstorms or nearby electrical work are huge causes of outages, they aren’t the only issue you may face. Smaller surges can occur often, and they can still be strong enough to damage your appliances. Fortunately, there are ways to combat this with surge protection seen in two different forms: power strip surge protectors and whole-home surge protection.

As the name suggests, power strip surge protectors resemble a power strip and protect all of the appliances plugged into it. They’re often found in rooms like home offices full of important electronics. On the other hand, whole-home surge protection is installed directly in an electrical panel. It’s ideal for protecting the entirety of your home’s electrical appliances.

So, is whole-home surge protection the better option? Below, we weigh out the pros and cons of a whole-home surge protection system.

Pro: More Reliable Surge Protection

A benefit of whole-home surge protection over power strip surge protection is its level of protection. Whole-home surge protectors efficiently sense when electrical irregularities are occurring, such as during a harsh storm. When this happens, the device will kick on and redirect the excess voltage away from your home’s appliances to avoid damage and lack of power.

They even work well against smaller surges which make up roughly 80% of all occurrences. These mini-surges are often seen in the form of loose wires, static electricity, load switching, and more. Power strip surge protectors only offer low-level protection, so a whole-home protector is your best bet against all types of surges.

Con: The Initial Cost

When your budget comes into play, it’s crucial to first determine the level of protection you’re looking for. If you’re only worried about the protection of specific devices, such as your computer, a standard power strip protector may seem more cost-effective as you will only be paying a small price for the protector itself with no cost of installation. Whole-home surge protectors require the expertise of a professional electrician to ensure it’s installed efficiently and safely.

However, with today’s reliance on electricity, you may find yourself purchasing numerous power strip protectors for a range of appliances. The more appliances you power up, the higher the risk of surges occurring. Also, without the level of protection of whole-home surge protection, you may have to shell out to repair or replace costly appliances, so you’re likely better off investing in a whole-home surge protector from the get-go.

Pro: Greater Peace of Mind

After all else is considered, another important factor to acknowledge is your peace of mind. If you don’t want to constantly worry about the protection of your electrical appliances, a whole-home surge protector is for you. It will also add resale value to your home, making it a great investment for future purposes.

Is Whole-Home Surge Protection Worth It?

The short answer: Yes! As mentioned, outages can occur, big or small, from a number of causes. These surges can result in the damage or destruction of your appliances which can lead to repair or replacement expenses far higher than the investment into whole-home surge protection. The needs and desires for electrical appliances are ever-increasing, so backing up your home with whole-home surge protection is a surefire way to keep said appliances protected.

Choose Hutton for Surge Protection Services

If you want to protect your appliances and enjoy greater peace of mind, whole-home surge protection is the way to go. For homeowners in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and surrounding areas, Hutton Electric, Heating & Air offers exceptional whole-home surge protection services. Our family-owned and -operated company provides top-quality electrical solutions and friendly customer service from highly trained technicians.

To get started with whole-home surge protection in the Norfolk area, call Hutton today at (757) 785-4085 or contact us online.