Residential service
Whole-home surge protection in Houston
Storms and grid switching send voltage spikes through your wiring. A surge protector at the panel stops them before they reach your air conditioner, appliances and electronics.
What whole-home surge protection is
A whole-home surge protector is a device installed at your main panel. When voltage spikes above a safe level, it diverts the excess to ground in a fraction of a second, protecting every circuit in the house at once.
It does a different job from a power strip. A power strip protects only what is plugged into it, and only against small surges. The panel device handles the large ones that come in from outside, and the two work best together.
Signs your home needs it
- You have lost a TV, router, or appliance control board after a storm or an outage.
- Lights flicker or electronics reset when the power comes back on.
- Your home has a newer air conditioner, refrigerator or range with electronic controls.
- You have an EV charger, a home office or smart-home equipment.
- Your panel was replaced without a surge protector being added.
How the work goes
Panel check
We confirm the panel has the space and the grounding the device needs to work.
Estimate
You get a written price for the device and the installation.
Installation
With the power off, we mount the protector at the panel and connect it on its own breaker with short, direct leads.
Test
We restore power, confirm the indicator shows the device is active, and show you what to look for.
How long it takes
Typically one to two hours, with the power off for part of that time.
Permits and inspections
Requirements vary by jurisdiction and by what else is being done at the panel. We confirm whether your job needs a permit before starting.
What affects the price
The price is mostly the device and the condition of your panel:
- The surge rating and the type of device.
- Whether there is a free breaker space in the panel.
- The condition of your grounding system.
- Whether it is installed with other work, such as a panel upgrade.
Frequently asked questions
Will a surge protector stop a direct lightning strike?
No device can guarantee that. A whole-home protector handles the far more common surges from nearby strikes and from the grid, which cause most of the damage.
Do I still need power strips?
Yes, for sensitive electronics. The panel device stops large surges from outside; a good strip adds a second layer at the equipment.
How long does a surge protector last?
It wears a little with every surge it absorbs. Most have an indicator light that shows when the device needs to be replaced.
Is whole-home surge protection required by code?
Recent editions of the National Electrical Code require surge protection when a home's service equipment is installed or replaced. Local adoption varies, and we follow the code in force where you live.
