For most homes, yes. A whole-home surge protector is installed at your electrical panel and helps limit surges that come in on the utility service before they reach your appliances, furnace controls, EV charger and electronics. A surge protector is now required when a home’s service equipment is replaced, which covers most panel upgrades. It works best together with good plug-in surge strips at your TV and computers, because it doesn’t stop every surge.
What it protects against
Surges come from outside (utility switching and nearby lightning) and from inside the home (motors in air conditioners, furnaces and appliances starting and stopping). Modern furnaces, washers, refrigerators, heat pumps and EV chargers all contain circuit boards that can be damaged by repeated surges. A panel-mounted surge protective device (SPD) diverts much of that excess voltage to ground.
What it doesn’t do
- It can’t protect against a direct lightning strike.
- It doesn’t replace plug-in surge strips for sensitive electronics; a “layered” approach is best.
- It depends on good grounding and bonding, which we check when we install it.
When it makes the most sense
- You are upgrading your panel or service, since new service equipment now has to include one.
- You are adding an EV charger, heat pump or other expensive equipment.
- You’ve had a board fail in an appliance or furnace before.
How installation works
A licensed electrician installs the SPD at your main panel on its own breaker, keeps the leads short, and checks grounding and bonding. It is panel work on live equipment, so it isn’t a DIY job. Most devices have an indicator light that shows they are still protecting; check it once in a while and after big storms. See surge protection and grounding and panel upgrades.
Get it checked in Loveland and Northern Colorado
Eggers Electric is a locally owned Loveland electrician, here since 1973, with a Google 4.9 rating from 400+ Google reviews. Every visit includes the repair, installation or service you called us for, plus the $89 Eggers Safety Inspection: a licensed electrician finds the cause and gives you a written price before work starts, and the $89 is credited toward the job when you go ahead. Call 970-669-1883 (7 days, 7am–8pm) or Schedule Service.
Frequently asked questions
Does a whole-home surge protector replace power strips?
No. Use both: the panel device handles surges from the service, and good plug-in surge strips add protection at sensitive electronics.
Will a surge protector stop lightning damage?
It helps with surges from nearby strikes on the lines, but nothing in the panel can stop a direct strike.
Do surge protectors wear out?
Yes. They can be used up by large or repeated surges. Most have an indicator light; if it shows a fault, have it replaced.
Can I install a whole-home surge protector myself?
No. It goes in your electrical panel, which should only be opened by a licensed electrician.