Surge Protection

Cost depends mainly on whether you're installing a whole-house unit at the main panel or point-of-use protection for specific devices, plus how much panel space and wiring work is involved. Pairing surge protection with a panel upgrade or generator transfer switch or interlock install can also change the scope. We look at your panel and goals before giving a price.

Whole-house surge protectors installed at the panel typically fall under electrical code requirements, since they tie into your main service. We handle the code compliance side so you don't have to figure out what's required on your own.

Frequent power blinks, electronics that fail after storms, or buzzing and flickering at outlets are common warning signs. Older homes near overhead power lines or in areas with frequent lightning are also more exposed to utility-side spikes. If you've replaced the same appliance or device more than once without an obvious cause, surge damage is worth ruling out.

Plug-in strips only protect what's plugged into them and can't stop a surge from reaching your panel and wiring in the first place. A whole-house surge protector installed at the panel catches spikes before they travel through your home's circuits, which point-of-use strips can't do on their own. Many homeowners use both: a whole-house unit for broad protection and strips for extra-sensitive electronics like computers or AV equipment.

Most whole-house surge protectors are sealed units, so once one has absorbed a significant surge or its indicator light shows it's no longer active, replacement is the practical option rather than repair. Devices that are several years old or have been through multiple storm seasons are also good candidates for replacement even if they still show as functioning, since their capacity to absorb future surges diminishes over time. We can check the condition of your current unit and let you know if it still has useful life left.

Whole-house surge protector installation at the panel is electrical work and typically falls under local code requirements, which can mean a permit depending on your municipality and the scope of the job. We handle this as part of the installation so you don't have to track down the requirements yourself. Point-of-use plug-in protection doesn't involve any wiring changes and doesn't require a permit.