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Surge or Safe? The Homeowner’s Guide to Whole-House Surge Protection in Riverside

  • Writer: John Deluna
    John Deluna
  • May 2
  • 3 min read

Updated: May 13

"A $30 surge protector couldn’t save our $3,000 fridge."

—Actual homeowner, Orangecrest, Riverside



Why This Article Matters

Power surges aren’t just lightning strikes. They happen every day—from the grid, appliances, and even your neighbor’s solar system. This guide breaks down how surge protection works, what it costs, and why that $10 power strip isn’t enough to protect your electronics, HVAC, or solar investment.

If your home runs on tech (and whose doesn’t?), read this before the next surge hits.



1 | What Surge Protection Actually Does


Surge protectors don’t stop surges—they redirect them safely into your home’s grounding system before they fry your gear.


Here’s what a whole-house surge protector can defend:

  • Smart TVs, computers, and routers

  • HVAC systems and thermostats

  • Refrigerators, washers, and microwaves

  • Solar inverters and battery systems

  • EV chargers and garage openers

What it doesn’t protect: Bad wiring, overloaded circuits, or direct lightning strikes. But it handles 95% of what most homes face.


2 | What Causes Power Surges (It’s Not Just Storms)

Surge Source

How It Hits

Utility switching or grid spikes

Sends a brief surge through service lines

Nearby lightning strikes

Indirect surge through shared lines or grounding

Appliance cycling (HVAC, fridges)

Motors turning on/off create mini-surges inside

Solar systems (badly wired)

Can backfeed and cause internal spikes

Neighbor’s high-load usage

Shared transformers = shared risks

Note: Many of these are everyday occurrences, not one-in-a-decade storms.



3 | Case Study — One Protected Home, One Pricey Repair


Julian: Surge ReadyMission Grove

  • Installed a whole-house surge protector with panel upgrade

  • Utility pole surge during a heatwave—protector kicked in

  • Result: No damage, just a flipped breaker

  • Total cost saved: $4,000 in appliances and HVAC electronics

Heather: Not So LuckyArlanza

  • Had multiple smart devices and a ductless HVAC system

  • Utility did an unannounced voltage switch

  • Surge blew out mini-split system and fried her modem

  • Insurance covered some—but she paid $1,100 out-of-pocket

Lesson? One $400 device could have protected both her gear and her wallet.



4 | What Electricians Look for in Surge Protection Installs

Must-Haves

Common Mistakes

UL-listed, panel-mounted surge device

Plug-in strips used as whole-home protection

Proper breaker sizing and install location

Installed too far from main lugs

Grounding system in good condition

Old, corroded ground = ineffective redirection

Surge capacity rated for your service size

Undersized units = false sense of security

Manufacturer warranty and indicator light

No visual status = you won’t know it’s failed

A surge protector can fail quietly. Ask for one with a service alert LED.



5 | Plug-In vs Whole-House Surge Protection

Feature

Plug-In Strip

Whole-House Unit

Protection zone

One outlet only

Entire panel + branch circuits

Surge capacity

300–600 joules

20,000–80,000 joules

Lifespan

1–3 years

10+ years

Visible damage warning

Usually none

LED indicator on panel

Protects HVAC/large gear

❌ No

✅ Yes

Avg. Cost Installed

$20 – $60

$350 – $700

TL;DR: Use both. Whole-house first, strips as backups for sensitive gear.



6 | Cost Breakdown: Surge Protection in Riverside

Item

Riverside Range

Notes

Whole-house surge protector

$350 – $700 installed

Includes parts, labor, and panel integration

GFCI upgrade (optional pairing)

$150 – $300 per area

Adds safety in wet zones

Panel upgrade (if required)

$2,500 – $4,500

Needed if your panel is outdated or full

Annual inspection

$200 – $350

Optional, but smart if you’ve had surge damage

Pro tip: Ask your electrician if your surge unit includes a warranty—some offer $25,000+ in connected equipment coverage.



7 | How to Choose the Right Protection (and the Right Installer)


What to ask before you buy:

  • Is the device UL 1449 3rd Edition listed?

  • Does it protect all legs of the service? (240V systems need dual protection)

  • Is it backed by a manufacturer warranty?

  • Does my panel have space, or do I need a subpanel?

  • Who’s installing it—licensed electrician or subcontractor?

Franco Brothers Electric installs panel-mounted, utility-grade surge protectors that meet NEC code and come with warranty-backed performance. No guesswork. No gimmicks.



8 | FAQ


Q: Can I just use a surge strip instead of a whole-house unit?

A: Surge strips are great for electronics—but they can’t protect appliances or anything wired directly to your panel.


Q: Do I need surge protection if I have solar?

A: Absolutely. Solar systems can create internal surges or backfeed during faults—surge protection is key to safeguarding inverters and batteries.


Q: Does my insurance cover surge damage?

A: Sometimes, but coverage is often partial and doesn’t include preventable damage. Prevent first—then insure.



9 | Want Surge Protection Done Right?


Franco Brothers Electric

Phone/Text: (951) 842‑0356


Don’t wait for the next spike.

Protect your power, appliances, and peace of mind—with real surge defense.

 
 
 

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