Whole House Surge Protector Installation
A whole house surge protector sits at the electrical panel and takes the hit before a surge reaches everything plugged in. It is one of the smallest jobs we do and one of the easiest to justify.
Protection at the panel, not the power strip
Plug-in surge strips protect whatever is plugged into them. Nothing protects the furnace control board, the refrigerator, the washer, the garage door opener or the hardwired smoke detectors. A whole house protector at the panel covers every circuit at once.
Most surges do not come from lightning. They come from inside the house and from the utility grid: large motors switching on and off, and switching on the lines. Small surges repeated for years are what wear out the electronics in modern appliances.
What moves the price of a surge protector
We do not publish a dollar figure we cannot stand behind. What we can tell you is which parts of the job move the number.
| Job | Relative cost | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Adding one to a sound panel | Lowest | A breaker space and a short connection. Usually done in well under a day. |
| During a panel replacement | Lowest added cost | The panel is open and the space is planned for it. The cheapest time to add one. |
| No free breaker space | Higher | Tandem breakers or reorganizing circuits to make room. |
| Old or obsolete panel | Ask first | Protecting a failing panel is the wrong order. We will tell you if the panel should come first. |
Flat price once we have seen the panel.
What to Expect
Look at the panel
Brand, condition, free spaces, and whether it is worth protecting as it is.
Flat price
For the protector installed, and nothing else unless you ask.
Install and test
Connected at the panel, the indicator checked, and the circuit labelled.
Show you the light
What the indicator should look like, and what it means if it changes.
Questions We Get
Is a whole house surge protector worth it?
For most homes, yes. It is a small job compared with replacing a furnace board, a refrigerator or a garage door opener, and it protects the hardwired equipment no power strip can reach.
Does the code require a surge protector?
The 2020 National Electrical Code added the requirement (section 230.67) for home services, including replaced services. Independence enforces the 2023 NEC, so a new or replaced service there needs one. Kansas City enforces the 2017 NEC, which does not require it, but it is still worth doing during a panel replacement.
Do I still need surge strips?
For computers and TVs, yes. A whole house protector takes the big surge at the panel; a good strip at sensitive electronics adds a second layer. The two work together.
Does it protect against lightning?
It helps with surges that come in on the power lines, which is how most lightning damage arrives. Nothing fully protects against a direct strike to the house.
How long does a surge protector last?
It wears as it absorbs surges. Most have an indicator light that shows it is still protecting; when that light changes, the unit needs replacing.
Can you install one when you replace my panel?
Yes, and it is the cheapest time to do it. We plan space for it in the new panel.
Ready to Get Started?
Call, text, or request a free quote online — we typically respond within one business day.