Power & Panels
Surge Protection
One device at the panel that protects everything plugged into the house, from the furnace board to the TV, when the voltage spikes.
Today's homes are full of circuit boards: furnaces, air conditioners, fridges, washers, ranges, chargers, TVs and routers. A surge from lightning, a utility switching event or the power coming back after an outage can damage them all at once. Power bars protect the few things plugged into them. A whole-home surge protector at the panel protects every circuit in the house.
What's included
- Panel assessment — we check the panel, its grounding and whether there's a free space for the protector.
- Surge protector — a quality whole-home device rated for residential panels, mounted at or in the panel.
- Short, clean connections — a surge protector performs better with short leads, so we place it as close to the breaker as possible.
- Grounding check — the protector is only as good as the ground it drains to, so we confirm the grounding and bonding.
- Permit and inspection — the ESA permit is filed for the installation.
How it works with power bars
Think of it as two layers. The panel protector takes the big hits coming in from outside, and good power bars at the TV and computer handle the smaller spikes made inside the house by motors and appliances. Together they cover far more than either one alone.
When to add one
The easiest time is during other panel work, so it's often added with a panel upgrade, an EV charger or a generator hookup. It can also be installed on its own in an hour or two on most panels.
Not sure your panel has room? Send us a photo of it with the door open and we'll tell you.
What a surge looks like
Most surges are small and frequent: a motor starting, a compressor cycling, the power returning after a flicker. They don't trip a breaker, but over time they wear out the electronics in furnaces, fridges and chargers. A whole-home protector absorbs them at the panel before they reach those circuit boards, and it's especially worth it once you own an EV charger or a heat pump.
What affects the cost of surge protection
Whole-home surge protector prices depend on the device's rating, whether your panel has a free space or needs a breaker rearranged, and the condition of the grounding. Installing one during other panel work, such as an upgrade or an EV charger, usually costs less than a separate visit.
Surge Protection questions
Does a surge protector stop lightning?
No device stops a direct lightning strike. A whole-home protector greatly reduces the damage from surges, which are far more common than direct strikes.
How long does a surge protector last?
Surge protectors wear out as they absorb surges. Most have an indicator light that shows they're still protecting. When it goes out, the device is replaced.
Do I still need power bars?
Yes, for sensitive electronics. The panel protector handles surges from outside, and good power bars handle the smaller ones made inside the house.
Will it work with an older panel?
Usually. Some older panels have no free space or poor grounding, which we'd point out and fix as part of the job.
Where we offer surge protection
We provide surge protection for homeowners in Windsor, LaSalle and Tecumseh. See what to expect in your area:
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