8 Ways To Protect Your Home Appliances From a Power Surge

The appliances in your home are essential for day-to-day living and represent a significant financial investment. Power surges from electrical storms or utility service issues can cause significant damage to electrical appliances. These are eight ways you can protect your appliances from a power surge.

1. Install a Whole House Surge Protector

Surge protectors can prevent damage to your appliances caused by temporary voltage spikes. A whole house surge protector is installed at the load center of your home, so that it protects all of the electrical devices in your home, unlike power strips and other surge protectors that can only protect the specific devices that are plugged into them. In addition to protecting your devices against major surges that may occur during a lightning strike or electrical malfunction, surge protectors protect against more common surges that can cause damage to your appliances over time.

2. Add Additional Protection for Sensitive Appliances

Some appliances, such as refrigerators, are particularly sensitive to damage from electrical surges. For these appliances, it is a good idea to add additional protection, such as an individual surge protector or power strip.

3. Unplug Appliances During Electrical Storms

Lightning strikes are one of the top causes of electrical surges. While your surge protectors can provide some protection from damage due to lightning strikes, the safest thing to do is to unplug all appliances that don't need to be powered on during an electrical storm.

4. Upgrade to an Energy Efficient Air Conditioner 

Every time your air conditioner starts up it increases the electrical current in your home. Because air conditioners start and stop several times a day, they can increase the chances of an electrical surge occurring in your home. Energy-efficient models require less power to operate, which results in less of an increase in current in your home's electrical systems when they power on. This reduces the chance of your air conditioning unit contributing to a power surge.

5. Inspect and Repair Wiring

Exposed wires disrupt the flow of current, which can increase the chance of a surge occurring. Inspect your wiring regularly. If you hear a buzzing sound or vibrating coming from outlets, your circuit breakers trip frequently, you see burn marks or there are burning smells coming from your outlets you may have an electrical issue that needs repair. Additionally, you should inspect the cords on all of your appliances for exposed wires or other damage.

6. Don't Use the Same Outlet or Power Strip for Appliances

Because appliances that draw large amounts of power can create mini-surges it is a bad idea to plug more than one into the same outlet or power strip. You should also avoid plugging anything sensitive to power surges into the same outlet or power strip as another device, such as an air conditioner, with a high electrical load.

7. Consider Prepaid Electricity

If you live in an area that experiences frequent power surges, it may be worthwhile to consider using a company that provides a prepaid electricity option. Because the electricity that is provided to your home is limited by what you have already paid for, the chance of a power surge occurring is reduced.

8. Install a Home Lightning Protection System

Home lightning protection systems include devices such as lightning rods, grounds, bonds and main conductors that can help divert electrical surges from lightning strikes away from your home. Research has shown these systems are 99% effective at preventing lightning damage to homes. In addition to protecting your appliances and other electrical devices from damage caused by surges, these systems may make you eligible for a credit on your homeowner's insurance.

An out-of-commission appliance can be a major hassle and cost you a lot of money to repair or replace. Protecting your appliances against potential electrical damage can save you money and frustration. These eight tips will help you keep your electrical devices safe from power surges.