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A whole-house surge protector blocks voltage spikes from lightning, grid issues, or even large appliances before they can fry your wiring or electronics. By diverting excess current at the main panel, it shields everything from your HVAC to your phone chargers and can extend the life of pricey appliances. Homeowners in storm-prone regions or with older panels see the biggest payoff, but any home that relies on sensitive electronics benefits.

Most whole-house surge protectors work for two to three years. Low-level spikes—too small to notice—hit your panel every day and slowly wear down the internal components. Once the unit’s capacity is depleted, it can’t prevent a larger surge, so plan to replace it on schedule (or sooner if a major lightning strike occurs) to keep your electronics and HVAC equipment safe.

A surge protector begins guarding your circuits the moment an electrician snaps it into place. Whether the spike originates from a nearby lightning strike or your fridge kicking on, the protector shunts the extra current to ground before it can reach outlets or hard-wired systems, such as your AC. That instant response is why a small upfront cost can save thousands in appliance repairs.

The unit mounts on or next to your main electrical panel. Type 1 models sit on the supply side, catching outside spikes before they hit the breaker. Type 2 devices snap inside the panel and tame surges that start within the house. Either way, placement at the panel lets the protector guard every circuit at once.

Plan to swap the device every three to five years—or sooner if you upgrade your panel, add high-demand appliances, or notice flickering lights and tripped breakers. Relying on a maze of power strips is another red flag that your current setup isn’t keeping up. Replacing the surge protector at these milestones keeps your electrical system on safe footing.