[dmwalsh33]

I have a surge protector on my outside AC unit. The company now tells me I need a surge protector on the inside air handler. Is that necessary? Thank you for your assistance!

[retiredguy123]

Personally, I don't think you need a surge protector anywhere, except the $15 multi-outlet surge protectors on your television, computer, and other electronic equipment.

[metoo21]

Originally Posted by dmwalsh33

I have a surge protector on my outside AC unit. The company now tells me I need a surge protector on the inside air handler. Is that necessary? Thank you for your assistance!

My inside air handler is hardwired - not plugged in. I had an electrician install a whole house surge protector.

Siemens FS-140

I use UPS's for desktop computers, routers, TV & streaming boxes. They have surge protectors built in.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by dmwalsh33

I have a surge protector on my outside AC unit. The company now tells me I need a surge protector on the inside air handler. Is that necessary? Thank you for your assistance!

If you need a surge protector on your air handler, why don't you need one on the water heater, washer, dryer, refrigerator, microwave, stove, dishwasher, garbage disposal, ceiling fans, and every other electrical device in your house? I think the company is trying to scam you. I don't even have a whole house surge protector because I think it is the power company's responsibility to deliver safe, surge-free power to the house without the need to buy an add-on device. Where is the evidence that these surge protectors provide any positive return on investment?

[asianthree]

Will say a surge protector didn’t stop the frying of irrigation box, and small appliances when lightening hit four houses down, and traveled to our house. Read the fine print, many issues will not be covered.

[ThirdOfFive]

About a month after we moved here lightning struck in the back yard across the street. It blew out several garage door openers on our block, ours included. The guy who installed a new opener for us strongly advised us to get a one-unit surge protector (about $35 from Amazon) which we did. Pretty cheap insurance against it happening again.

[JGibson]

The inside air handler should be hard-wired to the circuit breaker on a dedicated breaker. Usually a 40 amp.

[pikeselectric]

Hi there. Casandra with Pike's Electric here. My suggestion/advice would be a whole home surge protector on your home's electrical panel/service. We install and highly recommend the Type 2 Eaton Ultra whole home unit, which is designed to protect all of your home's major appliances and equipment. This includes your AC, air handler, kitchen appliances, washer/dryer, etc. This unit is backed with a limited lifetime warranty. I'd love to help you find out if we can install this in your Villages home and offer you a Talk of the Villages discount. Give me a call if you are interested (352)748-6251

[pikeselectric]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

About a month after we moved here lightning struck in the back yard across the street. It blew out several garage door openers on our block, ours included. The guy who installed a new opener for us strongly advised us to get a one-unit surge protector (about $35 from Amazon) which we did. Pretty cheap insurance against it happening again.

Hi ThirdOfFive. We hear this a lot in the Villages that nearby strikes can cause damages as such from streets away. Small point of use surge protectors do help suppress such surges if they travel in. We highly recommend a whole home surge protector (which we offer at Pike's Electric) to protect all of your home's major appliances and equipment. If you have interest in more extensive protection, I'd love to help you! - Casandra with Pike's Electric (352)748-6251

[pikeselectric]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Will say a surge protector didn’t stop the frying of irrigation box, and small appliances when lightening hit four houses down, and traveled to our house. Read the fine print, many issues will not be covered.

Hi Asianthree, Our type 2 Eaton Ultra whole home surge protector is designed to protect your whole home's equipment and major appliances from surge damage. I'd love to tell you more about it if you are in the market for more extensive protection - Casandra with Pike's Electric (352)748-6251

[pikeselectric]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

If you need a surge protector on your air handler, why don't you need one on the water heater, washer, dryer, refrigerator, microwave, stove, dishwasher, garbage disposal, ceiling fans, and every other electrical device in your house? I think the company is trying to scam you. I don't even have a whole house surge protector because I think it is the power company's responsibility to deliver safe, surge-free power to the house without the need to buy an add-on device. Where is the evidence that these surge protectors provide any positive return on investment?

Hello Retiredguy. I would like to share with you information on the Eaton Ultra Type 2 Whole Home Surge device. This unit, which we have installed with Pike's Electric for over 10 years, has provided whole home protection to many Villages residents. The unit is backed with lifetime warranty coverage and reimbursement for any damages if surges occur.
Unfortunately there is no protection from a direct strike, as mother nature makes the rules. However, this unit will protect surges from traveling into your home, from the power company in times of bad weather or power line issues, which we have found can occur on even the most sunny of days. SECO does offer a surge suppression device for their meters, which they charge for. My advice, to anyone interested in protecting their home, look into a device such as the Eaton Ultra to be installed. Spending hundreds on an installation of this caliber will save you thousands in replacing appliances.
Link to unit: https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/skuPage.CHSPT2ULTRA.html

[petsetc]

Originally Posted by pikeselectric

Hi Asianthree, Our type 2 Eaton Ultra whole home surge protector is designed to protect your whole home's equipment and major appliances from surge damage. I'd love to tell you more about it if you are in the market for more extensive protection - Casandra with Pike's Electric (352)748-6251

So since virtually all the houses in The Villages are about the same, what is Pike Electric total charge for the Eaton Ultra installed?

[pikeselectric]

Originally Posted by petsetc

So since virtually all the houses in The Villages are about the same, what is Pike Electric total charge for the Eaton Ultra installed?

Installed price is $545.00 (some restrictions apply, such as panel space/availability for the circuit to be added). Also, mention you found us on Talk of the Villages and you get 5% off. We keep the installation kits in stock and we have a few spots left before the end of the month to schedule.

[Trayderjoe]

I would look at the issue of surge protection as an insurance policy, and the level of protection would be commensurate with your risk tolerance level.

Let me preface this was a little story. I was a member of the Health, Safety, and Environmental Affairs division of a major chemical company, and electrical safety was part of our training program. I did some research after hearing the local power company advertise whole house surge protection on the radio, of which I was unaware at the time, talking with several of our electrical engineers. The short (pun intended) of it is I developed a safety presentation for my client base in which we recommended that people consider adding it to their homes.

Remember, as was stated in an earlier post, NO electrical surge protection will protect you from a direct strike on your home. Also keep in mind that the whole home surge protection system on your electrical panel potentially has a gap, in that ground strikes near your home can enter your home through your utility lines, such as cable service lines.

I have subsequently had installed whole home surge protection on each home I have owned. You can choose to buy or rent the unit, but whichever way you go, be sure to get a surge indicator on the unit so that you can see if a surge occurred. You may need a qualified electrician to subsequently check your system to ensure that you are still protected. I supplemented the panel surge suppressor with heavy duty surge protector power strips on each equipment with connectivity to cable service. These power strips have input/output coaxial cable connectors. The coaxial cable from the wall connects on the input side, then a separate coaxial cable runs from the output side to the electronic equipment I am seeking to protect. Lastly, I had surge suppression electrical outlets installed for my two garage door opener motors.

I am not suggesting anyone do what I did for my home. The level of, or lack thereof, surge suppression is again a personal risk assessment you need to make.

Consider the replacement costs should your electronic devices get versus the costs for protection. I would not however, dismiss electrical surge out of hand.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Will say a surge protector didn’t stop the frying of irrigation box, and small appliances when lightening hit four houses down, and traveled to our house. Read the fine print, many issues will not be covered.

A whole house protects at the point of power entry into your house.

The wiring in your house can act as an antenna for the electromagnetic pulse from a nearby lightening strike. Essentially bypassing a whole house protector.

That's why for maximum risk reduction, they also recommend local surge protection for critical/expensive items.