Whole-Home Surge Protection vs. Power Strip Protectors

We live in a world full of electronics—TVs, computers, smart appliances, and HVAC systems all rely on sensitive circuit boards. A single power surge can damage or even destroy them. Many homeowners plug devices into a power strip with “surge protection,” but is that really enough? Let’s compare whole-home surge protection with plug-in power strips so you can decide which offers the best protection for your home.

Whole-Home Surge Protection

Installed directly at your main electrical panel, a whole-home surge protector shields every circuit in the house from power surges.

Advantages

• Protects the Entire Home → From outlets to appliances to hardwired systems like HVAC, well pumps, and refrigerators.
• Stops Surges at the Source → Before they travel through your wiring and damage equipment.
• Long-Term Investment → Helps avoid costly replacement of appliances and electronics.
• Peace of Mind → Covers surges from lightning, utility issues, and large appliances cycling on and off.

Things to Consider

• Requires installation by a licensed electrician.
• Higher upfront cost than a plug-in strip.
• Works best when combined with point-of-use protectors for sensitive electronics.

Power Strip Surge Protectors

These are plug-in strips with built-in surge protection, often used for TVs, computers, or entertainment systems.

Advantages

• Low Cost & Easy to Use → Just plug them in.
• Portable → Can be moved around as needed.
• Extra Outlets → Useful for powering multiple devices in one spot.

Things to Consider

• Limited Protection → Only safeguards what’s plugged into it.
• Wears Out Over Time → Most strips don’t have indicators showing when protection has failed.
• Not for Major Appliances → Can’t protect your furnace, fridge, or washer/dryer.

Which Is Right for Your Home?

• If you want basic, inexpensive protection for small electronics, a power strip works.
• If you want comprehensive, whole-home protection, especially for major appliances and HVAC systems, a whole-home surge protector is the smarter choice.
• For the best results, many homeowners use both: a whole-home system at the panel + power strips for sensitive electronics.

Summers & Zims: Protecting More Than Just Comfort

At Summers & Zims, our electricians install whole-home surge protection systems designed to keep your appliances, electronics, and HVAC systems safe from sudden surges.

Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and find out how whole-home protection can give you peace of mind.