⚡ How Surge Protectors Can Save Your Expensive Appliances
By Mt. Vista Electric | Vancouver, WA
Your home is filled with valuable electronics—from smart TVs and gaming systems to washers, refrigerators, and laptops. One unexpected power surge could damage or destroy them in an instant.
Thankfully, there’s a simple way to safeguard your investments: surge protection.
Here’s how surge protectors work, and why every homeowner in Vancouver, WA should consider installing one.
💥 What Is a Power Surge?
A power surge is a sudden, brief spike in electrical voltage that travels through your home’s wiring. These surges can come from:
Lightning strikes
Utility grid switching
Downed power lines
High-powered appliances (like HVAC systems) cycling on and off
Even if a surge lasts just a fraction of a second, it can fry sensitive electronics or shorten the lifespan of your appliances.
🛡️ What Do Surge Protectors Actually Do?
Surge protectors detect excess voltage and divert it safely to the ground before it reaches your devices. There are two main types:
1. Outlet Strip Surge Protectors
These plug-in strips protect individual devices like computers, TVs, or gaming consoles. They’re affordable and easy to use, but they only guard what's directly plugged into them.
2. Whole-Home Surge Protectors
Installed at your electrical panel, these offer complete protection for your home—covering everything from appliances to HVAC systems. They're especially valuable in areas prone to storms or older utility infrastructure.
🔌 Why It’s Worth the Investment
Think about the cost of replacing a:
Refrigerator: $1,500+
Smart TV: $600+
Laptop: $1,000+
Washer/Dryer: $1,200+
Furnace or AC unit: $3,000–$8,000
A single surge could take out any of these in a blink. Surge protection is a small investment that can prevent thousands in damage.
🧰 Should You Install One Yourself?
While outlet strips are plug-and-play, whole-home surge protectors must be installed by a licensed electrician. They connect directly to your main panel and require knowledge of your system’s load and layout.
That’s where Mt. Vista Electric comes in.
✅ Protect Your Home with Mt. Vista Electric
We install high-quality, code-compliant surge protection systems that give homeowners peace of mind—no matter the weather or power grid conditions.
📍 Serving Vancouver, WA and surrounding communities
📅 Schedule your free estimate today to keep your home and appliances protected.
