Five Signs You Might Need to Upgrade Your Home’s Surge Protection

As a local electrician, I know that when the clouds roll in and the thunder starts, most people worry about a power outage. But what you should really be thinking about is the silent threat a storm poses to your home’s electrical system: the power surge. With storm season basically here, your home is at a higher risk than ever before. While you may have a few power strips, those offer limited protection. True safety comes from a whole-house surge protection system (link to service page), but how do you know if your current setup is up to the task? I’m here to share five key signs that tell you it’s time to upgrade your home’s surge protection before it’s too late.

Understanding the Threat: What Are Power Surges?

Before we dive into the signs, let’s quickly break down what a power surge actually is. Think of the electricity flowing into your home like water in a pipe. It’s designed to flow at a consistent pressure—in this case, around 120 volts. A power surge is like a sudden, unexpected spike in that water pressure. It’s a brief burst of high voltage, far beyond the safe operating limits for your appliances and electronics.

The big, dramatic surges from lightning strikes are a problem—but they’re only part of the story.

The Silent Killer of Electronics

Most surges are small, everyday spikes that you barely notice. Common causes include:

• Large appliances cycling on and off — air conditioners, refrigerators, or washers starting up.

• Power grid fluctuations — brief instability in your utility’s supply.

• Internal wiring issues — aging or overloaded circuits inside the home.

Each of these small surges is like a tiny hammer tapping away at the sensitive components inside your electronics. Over time, that repeated stress leads to:

• Shortened lifespan of devices

• Strange or erratic performance

• Eventual failure of expensive appliances and electronics

That’s why a whole-home surge protection system is so important. Power strips may help in isolated cases, but they can’t keep up with the constant barrage your home’s electrical system faces.

The Five Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Home’s Surge Protection

Sign #1: Your Home is Older than 10–15 Years

Is your home showing its age when it comes to electrical protection? One of the biggest indicators that you need whole-house surge protection is simply how long you’ve been living there.

• Older homes weren’t built for today’s tech. A decade or two ago, houses had a few TVs or radios—now we rely on smart TVs, gaming consoles, computers, thermostats, and security systems.

• Outdated electrical panels often can’t handle modern demand or integrate surge protection properly.

• Wiring in older homes may be less efficient and more prone to fluctuations, increasing surge risk.

• If your home was built before the mid-2000s, chances are your system isn’t equipped for whole-home protection.

• Upgrading to a whole-house surge protector at the electrical panel shields every circuit and safeguards your entire home.

Sign #2: You Experience Frequent Power Blinks or Outages

Power outages might seem like just a minor inconvenience, but they’re actually one of the most dangerous threats to your home’s electronics and appliances.

• Power flickers and brief outages are warning signs. That split-second interruption while you’re working or watching TV isn’t just annoying—it’s a red flag that your electrical system is vulnerable.
• Power restoration creates dangerous surges. When electricity comes back on after an outage, it’s like a water faucet suddenly turning from a trickle to a powerful gush, hitting your appliances with a massive jolt.
• Appliances suffer cumulative damage over time. These “minor” power events slowly degrade the internal components of expensive items like your HVAC system, refrigerator, and microwave.
• Storm-related outages are especially risky. When power kicks back on after weather events, the electrical spike can be even more severe and widespread throughout your home.
• Whole-house protection handles restoration surges. A surge protector at your electrical panel absorbs that initial spike when power returns, ensuring safe, consistent electricity flows to all your circuits.
• Peace of mind from every power blink. With proper protection, you won’t worry about a simple outage costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars in ruined electronics.

Sign #3: Your Power Strips Are Getting Old and Overworked

Are you relying on a collection of aging power strips scattered throughout your home? This patchwork approach to surge protection is actually putting your electronics at serious risk.

• Power strips aren’t created equal. That daisy chain of old strips with cracked casings and loose plugs isn’t providing the protection you think it is—even if they’re labeled as “surge protectors.”
• Surge protectors have a limited lifespan. The key component (Metal Oxide Varistor or MOV) absorbs energy with every surge until it’s completely “used up” and offers zero protection.
• Your old power strips are likely dead. That ten-year-old surge protector on your desk? It’s probably just an expensive extension cord now, providing no actual surge protection.
• Every surge depletes your protection. Small surges, lightning strikes, and daily electrical fluctuations gradually wear down your power strips until they fail silently.
• Patchwork protection leaves gaps. Individual power strips only protect what’s plugged directly into them, leaving the rest of your home’s electronics completely vulnerable.
• Whole-house systems work at the source. A surge protector installed at your electrical panel has much higher capacity, lasts for years, and often comes with warranties.
• Comprehensive coverage beats scattered strips. Instead of protecting individual devices, whole-home systems safeguard everything connected to your electrical system simultaneously.

Sign #4: You’re Installing More Smart Home Technology

Adding smart home technology to your house? These connected devices are creating new electrical vulnerabilities that demand serious surge protection.

• Smart devices are surge magnets. Your smart thermostat, speakers, security cameras, and connected devices are packed with delicate electronic components that are highly susceptible to power surges.
• 24/7 operation increases risk. Unlike traditional electronics that get turned off, smart home devices run constantly, making them prime targets for cumulative damage from daily surges.
• One surge can destroy your entire ecosystem. A single lightning strike could travel through your wiring and fry every connected device in your home—from expensive hubs to smart bulbs.
• Replacement costs add up fast. Without proper protection, you could face thousands of dollars in smart technology replacement after just one major surge event.
• Security systems need reliable protection. A non-functioning security system due to surge damage creates both financial loss and safety risks for your family.
• Whole-house protection covers everything. A surge protector at your electrical panel serves as the first line of defense for your entire smart home ecosystem.
• Foundation-level protection is essential. When building a smart home, whole-house surge protection should be considered as critical infrastructure, not an optional add-on.

Sign #5: Your Electrical Appliances and Lights are Acting Strangely

Is your home’s electrical system sending you warning signals? Strange behavior from your appliances and lights often indicates that surges are slowly damaging your equipment.

• Flickering lights aren’t just annoying. That unsteady lighting is often a sign that your electrical system is under stress from constant low-level surges.
• Appliances shouldn’t reset themselves. Electronics that randomly restart or need frequent unplugging and plugging back in are showing signs of surge damage.
• Strange noises indicate internal damage. A refrigerator making weird sounds or a microwave that needs resetting after every use suggests voltage spikes are harming internal components.
• Erratic behavior has a cause. These aren’t just quirks—they’re warning signs that your current surge protection system isn’t doing its job.
• Damage accumulates over time. Small voltage spikes gradually degrade your devices until they exhibit strange behavior and eventually fail completely.
• Most people ignore the signs. Because surge damage is hard to trace, many homeowners just live with the odd behavior until appliances give up entirely.
• Professional inspection reveals the truth. A licensed electrician can evaluate your electrical panel and surge protection system to determine if an upgrade is needed.
• Your home is asking for help. These warning signs are your electrical system’s way of telling you it needs better whole-home surge protection.

 Don’t Wait for the Next Storm

If any of these signs sound familiar, it’s time to act. A whole-house surge protection system provides the comprehensive protection your home and all its contents need. It’s a single, powerful device installed at your electrical panel by a licensed professional. Protect your investment, protect your family, and secure your peace of mind.

Call Mr. Value Electricians today 470-777-5886   or contact us online for a consultation on upgrading your home’s surge protection. We’re here to help you get prepared and stay safe.