Being an Orlando homeowner means being prepared for everything except maybe heat and humidity. Thunderstorms and lightning occur frequently and are expected throughout the entire summer months. In fact, Orlando is one of the many “lightning capitals” of the U.S. and therefore, your home’s electrical system is exposed to potential danger from lightning, utility grid fluctuations, and sudden loss of power.
Any surge (whether it’s caused by lightning, a utility grid fluctuation, or a sudden loss of power) can cause serious damage to your expensive electronics. The list of things that are at risk includes: air conditioning units, smart TV’s, home automation equipment, computers, appliances, etc.
As a licensed residential electrician serving Orlando, I can tell you with confidence that whole-home surge protector is no longer optional, it has become mandatory.
Why Do Orlando Homes Have a Greater Risk of Electrical Surges?
Orlando has more lightning activity than most other cities in the country. Every summer there will be numerous thunderstorms bringing heavy rain and power disruptions. Lightning may not have struck your home but surrounding strikes could still send massive voltage spikes through your home’s power lines.
Although some surges may not cause an electronic device to fail immediately, they will eventually degrade internal components over time shortening the life of your electronics. These issues will lead to premature failures, unexpected malfunctions, and expensive repairs.
That is why so many homeowners in central Florida are choosing to take a pro-active approach to their protection and are having whole house surge protectors installed in their homes.
What is a Whole Home Surge Protector and How Does it Work?
A whole home surge protector is installed on your home’s main electrical service panel and serves as a first line of defense against excessive voltage caused by lightning or utility company surges. Unlike power strips that only protect the one outlet that they are plugged into, a whole house surge protector protects every circuit in your home.
How does a Whole House Surge Protector Work?
- Identifies when excessive voltage is present due to lightning or utility company surges
- Redirects harmful electricity to the grounding system for safe dissipation
- Blocks surges from entering your sensitive electronics
- Operates automatically, 24 hours a day
With today’s modern electronic requirements of Orlando area homes including multiple tv’s, smart devices, ev charging stations, and high efficiency hvac systems, this type of protection is essential.
Protecting Your Home’s Electrical System During A Storm Requires Proper Grounding Of Your Electrical Panel
Your electrical panel plays a huge roll in providing lightning protection to your home. If your home has an older electrical panel, outdated circuit breakers, or inadequate grounding, then the likelihood of electrical surges damaging your home increases exponentially during a storm.
We see evidence of electrical stress in homes that lack surge protection such as:
- After a storm tripping circuit breakers
- Lights flickering during a rainstorm
- Electronic equipment failing early
- Air conditioning units being damaged after power loss
By installing a whole house surge protector in Orlando you will greatly improve your panel’s ability to handle sudden voltage spikes during a storm.
Protection for Your Most Valuable Electronics from Storm Related Surges
Orlando residents spend a significant amount of money on comfort and electronics. Unfortunately, these are also the most susceptible electronics in your home to electrical surges related to storms.
Some examples of commonly affected electronics include:
- Central air conditioning units
- Smart televisions and home entertainment systems
- Computers, routers, and modems
- Smart thermostats and security systems
- Appliances with digital control panels
One electrical surge related to a lightning strike could cost you thousands of dollars in damages. Installing a whole house surge protector in Orlando will significantly reduce that risk and provide you with peace of mind during each and every storm.
Power Strips Are Not Enough — Why a Whole Home Surge Protector Is Needed
While power strips can provide some level of surge protection, they do nothing to stop a surge at its source.
Indicators That Your Home Needs Surge Protection
Do any of the following apply to your home? If so, then you need to seriously consider surge protection:
- You experience frequent power outages in the summer
- You’ve purchased new or upgraded electronics
- You have recently installed a new air conditioning unit
- Your home was built prior to surge protection becoming standard practice
- There is no visible surge protection on your home’s electrical panel
As an electrician in Orlando, we highly recommend surge protection prior to experiencing any damage — not after.
Important Considerations When Selecting a Licensed Electrician to Install a Whole Home Surge Protector
Installing a whole home surge protector is not a DIY job. This requires:
- Local knowledge of electrical codes
- Verification of proper grounding
- Accurate sizing for your electrical panel
- Safe integration with existing circuit breakers
A licensed electrical contractor in Orlando will ensure that the surge protector is properly installed and functions as intended during extreme weather conditions. An improperly installed surge protector can leave your home un-protected or even create electrical hazards.
Get Professional Help for Whole House Surge Protection in Orlando
If you’re unsure of whether your home’s electrical panel is ready for the next storm, contact a professional for an assessment. As a local Orlando electrician, I’ve seen first-hand the quickness with which electrical damage can occur, and the ease in which it can be prevented.
Don’t wait for the next storm to find out that your home was not protected. Invest in whole house surge protection now and save yourself the thousands of dollars it will cost you down the road.
