Power strips, depending on the type, can provide some protection against surges for what’s plugged into them. However, even those that are designed for this purpose have two important limitations that whole-home surge protection addresses. One is that the latter protects against much larger surges. The other is that it also protects most of the home to that higher degree, not just whatever is plugged into a surge-protective power strip.
How this process works is through those whole-home surge protectors diverting excess voltage into a grounding system. Although they don’t prevent all surge-related damage, they do significantly reduce that risk. As a result, major systems and appliances are protected to a degree that they wouldn’t otherwise be.
Note that most power surges originate from inside the home. These can be associated with washing machines, air conditioners and vacuum cleaners switching on and off. Although smaller, these surges tend to have a cumulative effect in degrading electronic components.
Quick Takeaways
- Whole-home surge protectors reduce the damage that electrical surges cause.
- Most power surges are caused by everyday electrical activity, not by lightning.
- HVAC systems, refrigerators, washers, dryers and electronics are vulnerable to surges.
- Using both whole-home and point-of-use surge protection provides the best results.
- Taking advantage of licensed electricians helps ensure that you’re properly protected.
How Do Power Surges Damage Appliances?
Power surges can cause a tremendous amount of damage to appliances, whether from sudden voltage spikes or repeated small surges. In either case, their components, such as electronic control boards and motors, receive bursts of electrical energy beyond what they were designed to withstand.
Which Appliances Benefit Most From Whole-Home Surge Protection?
Although all appliances stand to benefit from whole-home surge protection, a few tend to benefit the most, and most of the ones listed below are not typically plugged into surge-protective power strips and don’t receive that protection at all. Some are even hard-wired into a home’s electrical system, especially HVAC systems.
HVAC Systems
Power surges can adversely affect an HVAC system’s circuit board, compressor and blower motor.
Refrigerators
A refrigerator has an electronic control board and a compressor that can both be harmed by surges. Also, this appliance is one of the few that is almost always active; it’s rarely turned off.
Dishwashers
Dishwashers, like refrigerators, have electronic control boards and motors that can be affected by surges.
Washing Machines and Dryers
Not only do washing machines and dryers have sensitive electronic control boards and motors, but modern models usually also have digital controls and sensors that surges can damage.
Ovens and Microwaves
Both ovens and microwaves usually have an electronic control board, display and keypad or touchpad, all of which can be harmed by a surge.
Smart Home Devices and Televisions
Smart home devices and televisions are appliances that are often plugged into surge-protective power strips, but, in many cases, those are not enough to provide comprehensive protection; electronic circuits and other elements are still at serious risk of being damaged.
Where Do Most Power Surges Come From?
Most power surges come from inside the home, such as by large appliances cycling on and off. In fact, this happens much more often than many realize since their impact at any given time is relatively small. The way that they cause significant damage is through a cumulative effect.
As for surges that originate outside of your house, most are caused by lightning, utility grid fluctuations, power outages and restorations following outages.
Is Whole-Home Surge Protection Enough?
There’s no such thing as guaranteed complete protection. A common example of when protection may not be possible occurs when a powerful, well-placed lightning strike overwhelms even the best-designed surge-protection system.
However, a whole-home surge protector greatly increases how much your appliances are protected from those rare lightning impacts as well as from the smaller surges that occur much more frequently.
Also note that there are significant benefits to using plug-in surge protectors on top of a whole-home surge protector. The most notable one is that if there’s a surge that’s too powerful for the latter, the former will step up as best as it can to handle the rest of that surge.
Is Whole-Home Surge Protection Worth the Investment?
For several reasons, whole-home surge protection is worth the investment.
One of the main reasons why is because the cost of replacing appliances, especially modern ones, is high. There’s also the peace of mind that accompanies receiving this type of long-term protection.
And keep in mind that lightning-strike rates are much higher in Tampa and throughout Florida than is the case in most of the rest of the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a whole-home surge protector protect my HVAC system?
A whole-home surge protector provides a significant level of protection for an HVAC system. This is important since HVAC systems typically consist of sensors, compressors and circuit boards, all of which can be greatly impacted by a power surge.
Do refrigerators and dishwashers need surge protection?
Refrigerators and dishwashers, like every appliance in your home, should receive surge protection. That said, these appliances in particular have sensitive electronic control boards and motors that should be carefully protected. Also keep in mind that refrigerators are almost always turned on.
Can small power surges damage appliances over time?
Although it may not seem like it, small power surges can damage appliances over time. These are the surges that occur when, for example, an HVAC system or dishwasher switches on and off.
Do I still need power strip surge protectors?
The best way to protect your home is to use a whole-home surge protector and combine that with plug-in surge protectors. This layered defense system will protect your home from a wide range of power surges.
Protect the Appliances You Rely On Every Day
There are so many appliances that you depend on every day, from your HVAC system that keeps you cool in the summer to the refrigerator that ensures that your food and drinks are kept at a safe temperature. Whole-home surge protection will protect them to a degree that’s not possible from surge-protective power strips alone.
If you’d like to learn more about how whole-home surge protection can protect your home’s appliances, reach out to Mister Sparky. Tampa’s on-time electrician will help you not put up with any malarky, not from Mother Nature and not from appliances in your home creating smaller-but-still-significant surges.