Surge Protection
Your trusted partner for professional home services. Quality workmanship, guaranteed satisfaction.
Surge Protection | Electric Panel Upgrades | Electrical
Safeguard your home’s most valuable assets with HEP’s advanced surge protection solutions. Our licensed electricians evaluate your existing setup, install cutting-edge whole-home surge devices, and fortify every circuit against damaging voltage spikes. From sensitive electronics to major appliances, we make sure everything you plug in stays protected, saving you from costly repairs and unexpected downtime.
If your breaker box is outdated, under-sized, or showing signs of wear, our electric panel upgrades deliver the power, capacity, and peace of mind today’s technology-packed households demand. Enjoy a seamless install, transparent pricing, and a workmanship guarantee backed by East Tennessee’s trusted home-service team—so you can focus on what matters most, worry-free.
FAQs
What is a whole-home surge protector and why do I need one?
A whole-home surge protector is a device installed inside or next to your main electrical panel that diverts sudden voltage spikes—caused by lightning, utility grid switching, or large appliances cycling—safely to ground before they reach your outlets. Without this protection, excess voltage can fry sensitive electronics, shorten the life of appliances, and even start electrical fires. A professionally installed surge protector offers layered protection for every circuit in the house, far exceeding the limited defense offered by plug-in power strips.
How do I know if my existing electrical panel needs an upgrade?
Warning signs include frequent breaker trips, flickering lights, warm breaker handles, visible rust or corrosion, a panel rated under 100 amps, or the use of outdated equipment such as Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels. If you’re adding high-demand devices—EV chargers, hot tubs, HVAC upgrades—or your home still uses fuses, an upgrade is almost certainly required. A licensed electrician can perform a load calculation and safety inspection to confirm whether your panel has the capacity and safety features your household now needs.
What are the benefits of upgrading my electric panel during a surge-protection installation?
Combining the two projects saves labor costs and minimizes downtime, because the service disconnect and utility coordination only happen once. A modern panel provides higher amperage capacity (typically 200 amps or more), copper bus bars for better conductivity, and built-in spaces for surge protective devices (SPDs). You gain room for future circuits, stronger fault protection through contemporary AFCI/GFCI breakers, and compliance with the current National Electrical Code, reducing fire risk and making insurance underwriting easier.
Will installing a new panel and surge protector increase my home’s resale value or help with insurance?
Yes. Real-estate inspectors routinely flag outdated panels and the absence of surge protection as safety concerns. Upgrading demonstrates proactive maintenance, which can be a selling point and speed up closings. Many insurers offer small premium reductions—typically 3-5 %—for documented electrical modernizations and whole-home surge protection because they lower the likelihood of fire and equipment-damage claims. Always request a completion certificate from your electrician to supply to your agent or prospective buyers.
How long does a typical panel upgrade and surge-protector installation take, and will I be without power?
Most single-family residences can be completed in one working day (6–8 hours). Power will be off for about 4–6 hours while the old panel is removed, conductors are landed in the new panel, and inspection or utility re-energizing occurs. Critical loads such as medical equipment can be temporarily powered by a generator if arranged in advance. Your electrician will schedule all required inspections and coordinate with the utility to minimize outage time.
What maintenance or inspections are required after surge protection and panel upgrades?
Modern panels and Type 2 SPDs are largely maintenance-free, but a quick annual visual check is wise. Confirm that SPD status lights are green (or "protected") and that no breakers show signs of overheating or corrosion. After major lightning events, re-check the SPD’s indicator; if it shows "replace," contact your electrician. It’s also recommended to have a full electrical safety inspection every 3–5 years, during which torque settings on breakers and lugs can be re-verified and grounding/bonding connections tested.