What Causes Power Surges
Most people think of lightning, but it’s not the only cause. Surges come from:
- Lightning and storms, which are common in Connecticut summers
- Utility switching and grid problems
- Downed or damaged power lines
- Large appliances cycling on and off, like your AC, furnace, or well pump
- Loose or damaged wiring inside the house
A lot of surges start inside your own house, which is why a plug-in power strip alone isn’t enough.
Signs You May Need Surge Protection
Call me if:
- You’ve lost a TV, computer, appliance, or HVAC control board to a surge or storm
- Your lights flicker or dim, or your electronics reset on their own
- You have expensive electronics, a home office, or smart home equipment
- You work from home and can’t afford downtime
- You’re getting a new panel, generator, heat pump, or EV charger
- You don’t have any surge protection at the panel now
What to Do Before We Arrive
After a storm or a surge:
- Unplug sensitive electronics and appliances you can reach, if it’s safe.
- Don’t reset a breaker over and over if it keeps tripping.
- Check whether anything in the house is hot, buzzing, or smells like burning. If so, turn off the main breaker only if you can reach it safely and the floor is dry, and call me right away.
- If you see sparks, smoke, or flames, get out and call 911.
If you just want protection: no prep needed. I’ll tell you what I need access to when you book.
What’s Included in Whole-Home Surge Protection Installation
- Looking at your panel to confirm it can take a surge protector
- Choosing the right protector for your house
- Installing the protector at the panel, with the proper breaker and wiring
- Testing it and showing you the status indicator, so you can tell it’s working
- Permit and inspection where required
It’s a fairly quick job, and it’s easiest to do when I’m already at the panel for other work. If you’re planning a panel upgrade, I’ll add it at the same time.
Whole-Home vs. Plug-In Surge Protectors
They do different jobs, and they work best together.
- Whole-home protector (at the panel): protects every circuit in the house, including appliances you can’t plug into a strip, like your HVAC system, refrigerator, and water heater.
- Plug-in surge strips: a second layer for your most sensitive electronics, like computers and TVs, and a good one catches what gets past the panel.
I’ll be honest about the limit: no protector can stop a direct lightning strike on your house. What it does is make the damage from everything short of that much less likely.
What We Install and Service
- Whole-home surge protectors installed at the main panel
- Surge protection added during a panel upgrade
- Surge protection added with a generator or transfer switch
- Replacement of worn-out or failed surge protectors
- Dedicated circuits for sensitive equipment
I’ll tell you which protector I recommend for your house and why.
Whole-Home Surge Protection FAQs
If you have expensive electronics, a home office, or HVAC equipment with circuit boards, usually yes. It protects the whole house for a fraction of what replacing a few items would cost.
It’s installed at your panel and diverts excess voltage away from your wiring before it reaches your devices.
It depends on the protector, your panel, and the wiring involved. I’ll give you a price after I look at the job. Financing options are available.
It’s a fairly quick job. I’ll give you a time estimate when I see your panel.
No. Nothing can. It protects against most surges, including the ones from storms and the grid, and cuts the odds of damage.
Yes, for your most sensitive electronics. The two layers work together.
Yes. A protector absorbs surges over time, and its protection can wear down. Most have an indicator light, and I’ll show you how to read it. If the light shows a problem, call me and I’ll replace it.
Yes, and it’s the best time to do it. I’m already at the panel, so it adds very little to the job.
Yes. A whole-home protector is wired into your panel, and that’s a job for a licensed electrician.
Related Services and Where We Work
Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield, Newtown, New Fairfield, New Milford, Redding, Ridgefield, and Wilton.
Want to protect your house before the next storm? Call (203) 894-2533 or send the form below. You’ll reach my local office, not a call center.
