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Prevent the Dangers of Power Surges This Holiday Season

How Whole House Surge Protectors Can Help

Holiday lights and electrical overloads can strain the home’s electrical system and are one possible cause of power surges. To prepare the house for the holiday season, electricians recommend doing some maintenance on the electrical system. This can include inspecting and replacing outdated wires and installing new safety features such as a whole-house surge protector.

A whole home surge protector is installed directly into the electrical box to prevent power surges from damaging electrical wiring and appliances, which could cause electrical fires. Here is some insight from professional electricians on installing a surge protector to protect against power surges during the holiday season.

Power Surges Are Dangerous

A power surge can be caused by many things, like overpowering the electrical system, lightning, power coming back on after a power outage, and faulty wiring. When an electrical surge occurs, it can suddenly shut down the electricity. Frequent power surges can also cause damage to the electrical wiring, requiring repairs and replacement, so it is best to protect against them.

Sometimes, power surges can cause permanent damage to devices that are plugged into the electrical system when the power surge occurs, especially sensitive electronics such as smartphones or laptops. One of the most dangerous things about power surges is that they can cause wiring and appliances to overheat and potentially catch fire. Protecting the home from power surges is necessary to prevent hazards and protect a homeowner’s investment in electric devices and appliances.

Benefits of Whole House Surge Protectors

Power strips do not always have built-in surge protection; when they do, they only protect the devices plugged into them. On the other hand, whole-house surge protectors are installed directly into the primary electrical box to prevent power surges from impacting appliances, electronics, and wiring throughout the home.

Surge protectors are handy during the holiday season when holiday lights and additional electronics and appliances get plugged in. Still, they protect the home the rest of the year by protecting against power surges and transient voltage from lightning and other causes.

Additionally, power surges can create energy waste and a spike in energy bills, so installing a surge protector with power-saving features may also help save money on energy usage. But perhaps the biggest benefit homeowners can expect from installing a whole-house surge protector is that their devices are protected from damage and that they won’t have to pay to replace them due to a surge.

When to Replace an Old Surge Protector

Surge protectors work hard to prevent power surges from damaging the home’s devices, appliances, and electrical systems, so they wear out relatively quickly. They each have a specific amount of voltage that they can absorb before needing to be replaced but typically need replacing after two years. An electrician should be called to install or replace a whole home surge protector. DIY installation is not recommended because of the hazards of improperly installed electrical equipment.

Homeowners should also pay attention to the warning signs that their surge protector needs to be replaced and keep in mind that they only last for a few years. Most modern surge protectors come with an indicator light that should signal when it is time to be replaced. When homeowners notice the indicator light has turned on, they should not delay calling the electrician for a replacement.

About Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air has been serving Port St. Lucie, FL, and the surrounding areas since 1988. They provide upfront pricing, personal attention, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for whole home surge protection in Port St. Lucie, FL.

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How Long Can Your Home Last Without Power?

Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, sunny weather, and delicious oranges, but it is also infamous for its hurricane season. Between June 1st and November 30th, Floridians and visitors alike must remain vigilant and prepared for potential storms. Hurricanes can be devastating, causing power outages, flooding, and the destruction of homes and businesses.

One of the most significant challenges during a hurricane is dealing with the loss of power. Many people may not realize how much they depend on electricity until it's gone. This blog will explore the most important things to consider when going into hurricane season without a whole-home generator.

Heat:

Air conditioning and fans are no longer an option without power, making the heat and humidity feel even more oppressive. During a hurricane, it's important to stay cool and hydrated to avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Staying in your home with temperatures above 78 F for long periods can lead to scary symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea, fever, and fatigue, usually resulting in heat exhaustion or heat stroke. These are serious signals that you are too hot and should seek medical treatment right away.

Beyond the risks to human health, high temperatures can also have an impact on the structural integrity of your home, causing materials to expand and potentially crack. Additionally, appliances and electronics can be affected, with some becoming damaged or malfunctioning when exposed to excessive heat. High temperatures can also increase the risk of mold and mildew growth, which can be harmful to your health.

Humidity:

Florida is known for its high humidity levels, even without a hurricane. When your air conditioning system goes down in a hurricane, you may experience discomfort and potentially dangerous conditions due to the sudden rise in humidity. While your air conditioning unit works to keep your indoor humidity between 30-50%, this line of defense is gone if you do not have a generator powering your home. High humidity has also been linked to heat exhaustion, respiratory distress, and heat stroke. It is extremely important to ensure that you can manage the humidity within your home during these emergencies.

In addition to these health hazards, prolonged exposure to high humidity can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause damage to walls, floors, and ceilings. It can also cause paint to peel, wallpaper to bubble, and wood to warp or rot. Humidity can also increase the levels of dust mites and other allergens in your home, leading to respiratory issues and aggravating allergies.

Food:

During a power outage, food spoilage can be a significant issue, particularly if the outage lasts for an extended period. Without power, refrigerators and freezers are unable to keep food at a safe temperature, leading to spoilage and potentially dangerous bacteria growth. According to the USDA, perishable foods such as meat, dairy, and eggs can only last up to four hours without refrigeration. This can result in the loss of a significant amount of food, which can be expensive and difficult to replace. Access to food can also be limited during natural disasters such as hurricanes, with grocery stores and restaurants often closed or inaccessible. In these situations, it is important to take steps to keep perishable food safe by ensuring that your generator is working properly before the storm.

We all know hurricanes in Florida can be dangerous and life-threatening events, and it's essential to be prepared. When the power goes out, it's important to consider food spoilage, humidity, and heat to stay safe and comfortable during the storm. By preparing ahead of the season and installing a whole-home generator, you can eliminate these risks when the power goes out. Give our team at Elite a call to learn more about how a whole-home generator can work for you.

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Keep the Home Safe From Power Surges

Why Every Home Needs a Whole Home Surge Protector

The electrical grid in the US is one of the most reliable in the world. Every day families and businesses take advantage of this utility since it powers pretty much everything around us. However, since the grid is as complex as it is, there are times when problems occur. One of the most common problems with the electrical grid is power surges.

Power surges can happen for various reasons, but one of the most common is the weather. Storms that cause power outages and lightning can cause huge voltage peaks to flood into a home’s wiring and damage critical electronics. The only way to protect from these events is with surge protectors.

Historically, surge protectors have been devices within power strips that protect sensitive devices like computers or televisions. However, with the proliferation of electronic devices, most homes would benefit from a surge protector that protects the whole house. Here is a quick guide to keeping the home safe from power surges by local electricians that know what their neighbors need.

The Problems with Power Surges

The term “power surge” is the perfect descriptor because it is exactly what happens during a power surge. Normally, a home receives voltage from the grid at 120 volts. That voltage can spike up to thousands of volts during a power surge. The resulting wave of voltage can burn out motors and sensitive electronics.

Power surges can be the result of:

Lighting strikes
Storms knocking out power
Problems at power plants
Appliances turning off and on
Large production facilities in the area shutting down or starting up for the day

Reasons to Install a Whole House Surge Protector

Power surges have been problems for as long as electricity has been available. However, the issue of power surges has only become more serious in recent years. In the decades leading up to the digital age, the only appliances susceptible to power surges were motored and weren’t often completely burned out by a power surge.

With the advent of sensitive electronic devices like phones and computers, the problem of power surges became more detrimental. Since everything in a home is digital and susceptible to power surges, it makes sense to protect these expensive devices with whole house surge protectors.

When to Replace an Old Surge Protector

Installing whole house surge protectors has become more and more common over the last few years. The problem is that most homeowners don’t know how to recognize the signs that their need to be replaced. Whole house surge protectors are constantly in service monitoring voltage, so they tend to wear out faster than people would expect.

To tell if a whole home surge protector is wearing out, pay attention to signs like:

Frequent tripping of the device
Dimming lights
Age of 3 to 5 years
Inconsistent power supply
Damaged electronics

When these problems start to manifest, it is best to replace the surge protector. Contact a reliable electrician for whole house surge protector replacement before the home loses protection.

About Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air has provided its neighbors in Port St. Lucie, FL, and the surrounding areas with trustworthy electrical and home service solutions since 1988. They offer personal attention, 24/7 emergency service, and upfront pricing. Call them today for surge protection in Port St. Lucie, FL.