Whole-Home Surge Protection
A whole-home surge protective device (SPD) at your service panel stops grid-side surges before they reach your TVs, computers, EV chargers, and HVAC controls. Lightning strikes, utility switching transients, and downed line events are all sources. A $300 install regularly prevents thousands in damage.
Type 1 vs Type 2 SPD
Type 2 mounts at the panel and is sized for typical residential service — what most homes need. Type 1 mounts on the line side and is used on commercial sites and homes with elevated lightning exposure.
What it protects
Anything plugged into your panel-fed circuits: EV chargers, mini-splits, induction ranges, AV gear, computers, smart-home equipment. Not a substitute for surge strips on sensitive electronics, but the first line of defense.
Install during related work
Cheapest to add during a panel upgrade. Stand-alone install is straightforward too — usually a 60-90 minute job.