Investment Protection at Its Best: The Power of Whole-House Surge Protectors

2 May, 2019
Investment Protection at Its Best: The Power of Whole-House Surge Protectors

Power outages are one of the largest inconveniences that anyone can experience; unfortunately, these are becoming more common as grid disruptions and power surges plague big cities like Toronto.

Conditions such as ageing infrastructure, severe weather, and the growing dependence on technology both in residential and commercial and industrial settings don’t exactly ease the burden on power grids and electrical sources. Altogether, these issues can expensive electronics out of commission, which necessitate safety measures such as a licensed electrician-installed whole-house surge protector.

What is surge protection?

To the less than electronically savvy, surge protection can sound highly technical and above their reach. But for savvy homeowners, it’s becoming a necessary investment that everyone must familiarize themselves with to protect their property and loved ones, as well as avoid disruptions to your daily routine.

Surge protection limits the consumption of electricity in a given space according to power requirements of appliances and equipment. Whole-house surge protection devices prevent electrical devices in your home from malfunctioning due to sudden surges in electricity. These devices are wired to the electric service box and in effect, protect all appliances and electrical systems in your home.

Whole-house surge protection has become necessary as the abundance of power-dependent technology has accounted for up to 80% of power surges in homes these days — meaning, we actually cause these electrical problems ourselves due to the use of multiple devices plugged in the same time, 24/7.

Surge Protection Devices vs. Suppression Strips

When it comes to electrical usage at home, a lot of people use surge suppression strips. These strips are built of metal oxide varistors, but in some cases, it can only take one surge to end their usefulness. Unlike strips, however, whole-house surge protectors are designed to shunt large surges, making them a durable investment that lasts years.

How a Home Surge Protector Works

A surge protector works to regulate the voltage in your home appliances and ensure safe and efficient electrical consumption for long-lasting function. For all of this to make sense, it also helps to first understand how electricity works.

Electricity follows the path of least resistance to ground. Safety protocols implemented by licensed electricians, such as surge protectors, redirect excess current safely back to the ground and block them before they have the chance to enter the circuitry of your house. According to licensed electricians, this excess current can come from the following:

1. Major appliances

Major appliances cycle between on and off throughout the day, which can cause 60 to 80% of power surges in the home. This percentage sounds a lot at first, but since these are residential surges, these are low-level. Over time, however, these power surges are very likely to degrade the circuitry of valuable electronics.

2. Faulty wiring

Old, faulty wiring is susceptible to power surges, so it’s essential to have a licensed electrician inspect and upgrade your home’s electrical system periodically.

3. Downed lines

Wind, accidents, falling tree branches, animal activity, and other natural phenomena can cause downed lines, which can then lead to power surges in appliances at home.

4. Malfunctioning electrical equipment

Broken-down electrical equipment that has undergone less than optimal repairs can cause extreme spikes and drops in electrical consumption, resulting in power surges.

5. High electricity demand

The ever-growing need to support increased demand for power, there is a propensity for rolling blackouts, especially in extreme weather.

6. Lightning

Lightning during storms can cause extreme damage to various appliances in an instant.

Should I invest in a surge protector?

These days, licensed electricians are no longer installing whole-house surge protectors as an additional appliance; rather, these have become integral to the homebuilding process. This is because a growing number of homeowners are looking to protect their real estate and electronic investments.

Surge protectors installed by licensed electricians can easily save you thousands of dollars in investment protection, which offsets the initial installation cost. With a whole-house surge protector, you can ensure that you get the best use out of your home entertainment system, kitchen appliances, mobile technology, and home office equipment and avoid untimely and expensive replacement costs upon breakdown.

Homeowners can best benefit from whole-house surge protectors that cover the area spanning outside power lines and your home’s electric meter through the breaker box. Surge protectors should also be installed at wall outlets where appliances themselves are plugged into and receive electric current from.

It’s also important to note that whole-house surge protectors are only as effective as your grounding system. Proper grounding is essential as surge protection is dependent upon the grounding system that it is connected to. Prior to installing a whole-house surge protector, make sure to have a licensed electrician inspect the grounding system of your house.

Why You Need a Whole-House Surge Protector

In the past, a whole-house surge protector may not have been as necessary and only seemed like an additional fixture that you may have been able to do without. But that isn’t the case anymore.

Today, homeowners depend on a growing number of electronics. From LED lighting to washers, dryers, home entertainment systems, kitchen appliances, heating and cooling systems, and mobile technology, the number of circuit boards at use have more than multiplied — and so have the likelihood of power surges occurring.

All the technology we plug into our houses present a real risk, but simply investing in a whole-house surge protector could pay off in the long run as you avoid major damage to appliances you depend on every day and live as safely and comfortably as possible for years to come.

To learn more about how you can protect your home with whole-house surge protectors, call Hi-Lite Electric today at 416-800-5523 or contact us here.



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Riaz Jilani
Riaz Jilani
2024-06-05
I had another electrician which not giving me time and then I search on google and found Hi Lite with good reviews so I decided to try them. I send massage on their website and after 30 minutes I got call from them they booked me different time which was not suitable for me. I requested them and they change according to my convenient.electrician came on time complete the job also advised me some unseen problems also fixed perfectly and my satisfaction . First time I really impressed I recommend them they are trouble free and with good reputation
Michael Butler
Michael Butler
2024-05-10
Stove wasn't working. Stove people said it was an electrical issue. Steven came over, showed me what was wrong. Now I know more about electricity. 5/5 would electricity again.
Heather D
Heather D
2024-05-10
Excellent service. Matt came out after hours to resolve an emergency situation where an outlet in our garage caught on fire. He was here within the hour and completed the work efficiently. In addition he communicated clearly all the necessary steps needed. We will definitely be calling him back for additional assistance in the future if the need arises.
Amrik Bhogal
Amrik Bhogal
2024-04-29
Excellent service! We had a problem with some receptacles in a couple of rooms in our house. Tried the usual resetting the breakers and GFI plugs, but to no avail. Called Hi-Lite Electric based on a recommendation from a friend. Matthew from Hi-Lite come over, diagnosed and fixed the problem quickly and efficiently. He was very knowledgeable and kept me in the loop as what he was doing. His estimate was very accurate. I would highly recommend HiLite
Roy Thompson
Roy Thompson
2024-04-29
Matthew and Steven did a fantastic job added two lights in my bedroom, prior to that their was no lights in my bedrooms. i would highly recommend them.
Izabella Hansen
Izabella Hansen
2024-04-23
Had a great experience with Matthew, a licensed electrician. He explained everything I needed thoroughly. Worked efficiently, was professional and curteous. I highly recommend this family run company.
Jo Persad
Jo Persad
2024-04-19
Excellent service. We had a problem with our house wiring and Matthew diagnosed and fixed the problem quickly and efficiently. He was very polite and pleasant and informative. We would highly recommend HiLite.
James Danakas
James Danakas
2024-03-27
The service we received from Matthew and Luciano was excellent and our problem was solved in a timely matter. Great customer service! Highly recommend!
Corrado Di Rosa
Corrado Di Rosa
2024-03-26
Excellent customer experience! Matthew is always on point with his recommendations and makes sure the issue is solved. Highly recommend Hi-Lite.
Funk Roberts
Funk Roberts
2024-03-18
I recently had the pleasure of having Matt from HiLite Electrical come over to replace my smoke alarm, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the service provided. From the moment Matt arrived, it was clear he was not only highly skilled but also incredibly personable and professional. His attention to detail was impeccable, ensuring that the job was done efficiently and effectively. What truly set Matt apart was his commitment to going above and beyond. He was punctual, arriving right on time, which is a rarity these days. But more importantly, he took the time to explain the process, what the problem was, and why we couldn't get the unit from the foundation in the first place. He was also amazing to talk about in general (especially fitness, training and combat sports, relationships, and other things), and ensured everything was working perfectly before he considered his job done. I highly recommend Hi-Lite Electrical to anyone in need of electrical services. Their team, from speaking with Ang on the phone to set up the appointment (Happy Angela Day..that's an inside joke) to Matt getting it done, Hi-Lite exemplifies the kind of professionalism and expertise that is all too rare. Trust me, if you want a hassle-free, high-quality service, look no further than Hi-Lite Electrical. A big thank you to Ang and Matt for not just meeting, but exceeding my expectations! Super Happy Customer! Funk Roberts

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