Your home is filled with significant investments, from smart home devices to essential kitchen appliances. And yes, that includes your tablets and other devices. A single, unexpected power surge can instantly render them useless, leading to costly replacements and frustrating downtime.
Whole-home surge protection is your solution. It’s easy to install, practically maintenance-free, and it provides you with peace of mind. From sensitive medical equipment to home computers, you’ll feel better knowing your home is protected from a power surge.
Our licensed electricians at Ongaro & Sons provide whole-home surge protection installation throughout Northern California. Contact us today for a consultation about protecting your home.
What Exactly Is a Power Surge?
A power surge is a sudden, rapid spike in voltage, far beyond what your electrical system is designed to handle. These surges can happen for a variety of reasons, both from outside your home and within:
- External Sources: This includes things like lightning strikes or downed power lines during storms, as well as shifts in voltage from the electricity coming into your home from the utility grid.
- Internal Culprits: Surprisingly, many surges originate right inside your house! These often come from large appliances like your heating and cooling system, washer and dryer, or electric stove when they cycle on and off. Poor or outdated wiring can also be a significant factor.
Without the right protection, these sudden spikes in voltage can severely damage your electronic appliances and even your electrical outlets.
How Whole-Home Surge Protections Work
Unlike small power strips, a whole-home surge protector is professionally wired directly into your home's main electrical panel, where all the electricity enters your house.
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Ongaro & Sons is your trusted heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, and solar expert—specializing in reliable maintenance and repair services that keep your home running efficiently year-round.
Our certified technicians deliver unmatched expertise with fast, friendly service across Northern California. From HVAC tune-ups to plumbing repairs and electrical upgrades or solar solutions, we focus on energy-efficient performance and long-term comfort. Count on us to maintain the systems that power your home and keep your environment just the way you like it.
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How Outdated Wiring Can Create Power Surges
Before the 1960s, copper was the most common material for household wiring. Aluminum wiring was widely used between the '60s and mid-1970s when the price of copper increased, but copper became the preferred material again by the late 1970s.
If you have an older home with aluminum wiring, you may want to consider rewiring. Outdated wiring can become damaged and lead to power surges. Temperature changes cause aluminum wiring to easily lose its shape and structure. Aluminum wiring puts your home at greater risk of electrical fires and may even void your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Does your home have outdated wiring? Contact Ongaro & Sons to schedule an electrical inspection or replacement.
How Can I Protect My Home From Power Surges?
Fortunately, there are several ways you can prevent power surges from impacting your home. These three safety measures will protect your electronics and equipment:
Whole-House Surge Protectors
Whole-house surge protectors mount onto your circuit breaker. They are designed to protect your home from electrical voltage spikes and surges. If your whole-house surge protector detects an abnormality, it will divert the extra voltage safely into the ground. This protects your entire home, including your electronics, appliances, and wiring.
Surge-Protecting Outlets
Surge-protecting outlets redirect energy into the ground via a designated circuit. This ensures the surges won’t harm your electronic devices. However, they only offer protection to devices plugged into them.
If there are specific devices you’d like to protect, such as your television, these are the perfect solution. Additionally, they are relatively simple to install.
Plug-In Surge Protectors
This type of surge protector is portable and perfect for home offices and media consoles. It is essentially a power strip with surge protection (but remember, not all power strips are surge protectors). Simply plug it into an outlet and then plug your devices into the surge protector.
Choose Ongaro & Sons for Your Home Surge Protection and Electrical Needs
Our team has been serving our community since 1932. Here’s why our customers choose Ongaro & Sons for all home surge protection and electrical services:
The first rule is safety—your home electrical system must operate safely at all times. That's why we strictly adhere to all National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines and ensure your home meets those standards. Additionally, our business is fully licensed, insured, and bonded.
Need Electrical Assistance? Call Us Today
Ongaro & Sons is a full-service electrical company in Northern California, including Greenbrae, Rohnert Park, Sausalito, and other communities throughout Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties. Call us today at 415-741-2820 or request services online.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes—the cost of replacing damaged electronics often far exceeds the one-time cost of installing a surge protector.