Florida gets more lightning strikes than almost any other state, and South Florida's summer afternoons are a big part of that. A strike doesn't have to hit your house to cause damage. A nearby hit, or the utility switching lines back on after a storm, can send a surge through your wiring.
Plug-in surge strips protect whatever is plugged into them, but most of the expensive equipment in a Florida home isn't plugged into one. The AC condenser and air handler, the pool pump and heater, the refrigerator, and the water heater are all hardwired or on dedicated outlets.
A whole-home surge protective device mounts at the panel and clamps surges before they reach any circuit. It works best together with a solid grounding system, so we check the ground rods and bonding when we install one.
For sensitive electronics like TVs and computers, a good point-of-use protector adds a second layer. Together, the two cover most of the risk.
Most installs take about an hour. If you've already lost an AC control board or a pool pump to a storm, it's worth doing before the next one. Call (305) 462-5852 for a free estimate.