Lightning protection

[RItaly]

Good afternoon, we've been recently approached to add lightning rods to our new house, athough I've not seen many in the neighborhood. We've lived many years in the mid west and inspite of frequent and occasionally violent thunderstorms, we've never considered them necessary.

Is there a different storm enviornment in Central Florida which would suggest there is a need for lightning protection?

Thank you, Ron

[applesoffh]

Good afternoon, we've been recently approached to add lightning rods to our new house, athough I've not seen many in the neighborhood. We've lived many years in the mid west and inspite of frequent and occasionally violent thunderstorms, we've never considered them necessary.

Is there a different storm enviornment in Central Florida which would suggest there is a need for lightning protection?

Thank you, Ron

Ron, we were just approached about lightning rods about 15 minutes ago. We took the card, but are naturally skeptical, too. Is there anyone out there with experience regarding this? Is it a necessity here?

[KayakerNC]

Good afternoon, we've been recently approached to add lightning rods to our new house, athough I've not seen many in the neighborhood. We've lived many years in the mid west and inspite of frequent and occasionally violent thunderstorms, we've never considered them necessary.

Is there a different storm enviornment in Central Florida which would suggest there is a need for lightning protection?

Thank you, Ron

Lightning capital of the US, they say.
First place I'd check would be my Homeowners Insurance agent to see if the rods would reduce the premium. :undecided:

[memason]

Easiest answer is to drive around....how many lightening rods do you see on houses???

That will tell you how important it is to most homeowners...

If you aren't in TV, I can tell you; you will not see very many, if any.

[applesoffh]

Lightning capital of the US, they say.
First place I'd check would be my Homeowners Insurance agent to see if the rods would reduce the premium. :undecided:

Thank you, KayakerNC - we'll do that!

[billethkid]

why would one want to draw lightning to their house?

I would estimate that less than 5% of homes in our village have them.

We had the guy do an estimate. I looked at the odds, the estimate and what the majority of people who lived here long before us...I chose to pass on the $2500 lightning rods!!!

btk

[JoeC1947]

It's BS you don't need them.

[JohnN]

Yes, TV is the lightning capital of the country. The storms can run through here pretty rough - it's semi tropical. That said, how many homes are
actually hit by lightning? not many.

Lightning rods can and do attract the lightning, but disperse it into the ground.

I don't have 'em, don't plan to, I think it's mostly a lot of hype,
the cost compared to the benefit.

[applesoffh]

Yes, TV is the lightning capital of the country. The storms can run through here pretty rough - it's semi tropical. That said, how many homes are
actually hit by lightning? not many.

Lightning rods can and do attract the lightning, but disperse it into the ground.

I don't have 'em, don't plan to, I think it's mostly a lot of hype,
the cost compared to the benefit.

We spoke with our home insurance rep after being approached about lightning rods this afternoon. She said that she personally knows of 5 strikes hitting houses within the past 4 1/2 years, that all TV commercial buildings have rods, and that there is no reduction in premiums for having them installed.

[VillageSitter]

We are also pretty new to The Villages (St. James) and respect the lightning here in Florida since we only moved an hour north from Wesley Chapel. We were also approached by the lightning rod man and declined. Our neighbor took advantage of the $750.00 offer and had the rods installed. She later had an electrician come to do some work and he pointed out that since she was the only one in our neighborhood with the rods, it would most likely attract a strike, if one were close. She had the lightning rods removed and said it was an expensive lesson learned. Just food for thought...

[John_W]

I'm in a CYV and I've just had 5 neighbors install lightning rods on my street within 100' of my home since Saturday, even if I was considering it, I no longer need them with all that protection around me. I forget the name of the company, but he has a big red Ford P/U truck and has been on my block everyday. It's like all the other contractors, once they get their foot in the door all the other neighbors follow.

[KayakerNC]

We spoke with our home insurance rep after being approached about lightning rods this afternoon. She said that she personally knows of 5 strikes hitting houses within the past 4 1/2 years, that all TV commercial buildings have rods, and that there is no reduction in premiums for having them installed.

Personally, I'd rather go with a whole-house surge protector, with some plug in protectors for the TV, computers, etc.
Unless you are on the highest elevation in your neighborhood, with the tallest trees, I'm not sure about the value of lightning rods. It sure doesn't sound like the insurance companies think they are worthwhile.

[Skybo]

I think that there is a lot of misinformation about �lightning rods�, and folks should do some (non-TOTV opinion) research before making a decision.

[Skybo]

Personally, I'd rather go with a whole-house surge protector, with some plug in protectors for the TV, computers, etc.
Unless you are on the highest elevation in your neighborhood, with the tallest trees, I'm not sure about the value of lightning rods. It sure doesn't sound like the insurance companies think they are worthwhile.


Surge protectors for appliances and lightning rods provide two completely different types of protection. The fact that insurance companies don't give discounts for LPS doesn't mean that they aren't worthwhile. Elevation in TV and/or tree height is pretty much a moot point.

[BnCinME]

I'm in a CYV and I've just had 5 neighbors install lightning rods on my street within 100' of my home since Saturday, even if I was considering it, I no longer need them with all that protection around me. I forget the name of the company, but he has a big red Ford P/U truck and has been on my block everyday. It's like all the other contractors, once they get their foot in the door all the other neighbors follow.


Sounds like you're all set John!

[BnCinME]

Personally, I'd rather go with a whole-house surge protector, with some plug in protectors for the TV, computers, etc.Unless you are on the highest elevation in your neighborhood, with the tallest trees, I'm not sure about the value of lightning rods. It sure doesn't sound like the insurance companies think they are worthwhile.

----------------
:agree: That's what we did.

[Eve2278]

We thought about lightening rods too but after research decided against it. We are too close to our neighbors and altho the rods draw the lightening to the ground I found three houses in TV that were struck by lightening and their neighbors had the rods.

I'd rather take a chance of "maybe it could happen" than having something on my house that says" here I am." and perhaps having my neighbors house hit because of it...

[Fourpar]

Take a look at every commercial building around and you will see all are protected by lightning arresting systems. Then do some research on the internet. And if you have gas in your home, the lines are probably css. That being the case, there is good cause for having such a system.
I did my research and had UL approved and inspected system installed. Sleep better now.:smiley:

(Opinions about this vary widely, consider your sources!)

[angiefox10]

I think ALL my neighbors should get them. :girlneener:

[westom]

Surge protectors for appliances and lightning rods provide two completely different types of protection. Lightning is about a connection from that cloud to distant earthborne charges. What is a best connection? What is the geology beneath that house? Often lightning may strike a valley; ignoring adjacent mountains. Because that valley contains relevant geology. More often mountainsides rather than mountaintops are struck. Lightning rods are important for buildings more often struck due to geology and other external factors.

Does not matter if adjacent buildings have lightning rods. Its cone of protection is typically 60 degrees beneath that rod. Adjacent buildings (without earthed lightning rods) remain just as exposed.

Lightning rods do not attract lightning. That strike is going to happen no matter what. Homes with lightning rods mean no damage IF rods are properly installed (earthed).

[buggyone]

The home I purchased in The Villages had lightning rods (with thick braided copper going into the the ground) already installed - as well as the whole house surge protectors. The previous owner was an electrical engineer and respected electricity. The homes on both sides of us have the identical lightnng arresters, too. I feel safe in the Florida lightning capital.

[daca55]

It's BS you don't need them.

:agree:

[buggyone]

I am confused when the poster said it is BS you need them.

Does he mean it is BS that you DO need lightning arresters or does he mean it is BS that you do not need lightning arresters?

I have seen lightning arresters on the pavillion at Lake Sumter Landing as well as the commercial buildings there. If they were not a good idea, I doubt if the Developer would have had them installed.

I would think they are a wonderful asset to have on your house. I have them and have peace of mind.

[golfermike22]

Are we safe inside our birdcage during a lightning storm? I would not be in my pool at the time.
:shocked::shocked:

[Lightning]

First, FL. is the Lightning Capital of the US but not the world. According to the National Weather Service we get on average 80 thundserstorm days per year. Second, lightning rods do work if they are desinged and installed according to NFPA 780 the national standard on lightning. Seven homes have been destroyed by lightning in the last eight years - none since 2009 - so we are due. Only seek quotes from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) listed installers. Avoid door to door sales - they will not be UL or LPI listed. There are three UL/LPI installers known to be working The Villages. For more information see the Lightning Matters columns in the back issues of the POA newsletters that can be found on line. Also, check the Lifelong Learning catalog that offers a one hour primer, Lightning Tips for Villagers to help the homeowner make an informed decison on their lightning risk.

[Lightning]

Good advice. Take no comfort from the fact that your neighbors have lightning protection. In 2008 a house in Sunset Ridge was struck and destroyed by lightning. The house next door and across the street had lightning protection. Lightning is HIGHLY unpredictable!

For more info on direct lightning, indiect lightning, and CSST gas pipe see the back issues of the POA newsletters.

[graciegirl]

Good advice. Take no comfort from the fact that your neighbors have lightning protection. In 2008 a house in Sunset Ridge was struck and destroyed by lightning. The house next door and across the street had lightning protection. Lightning is HIGHLY unpredictable!

For more info on direct lightning, indiect lightning, and CSST gas pipe see the back issues of the POA newsletters.

Thank you for your recent posts. I was hoping you would come on the forum and tell us what you think.

I am thinking about going to that class at the LifelongLearning College. We are trying to decide what to do..yes, no, copper, not aluminum, etc. Our neighbors owned a large electrical business in a northern city and he had copper rods installed.

[getdul981]

While aluminum is a good conducgtor for electricity, it melts at amuch lower temp, therefore I would never have aluminum for the lightning arrestors. If you're going to do it, do it right and use copper. Actually, gold or silver would be better, but nobody is going to do that.

[Lightning]

The national standard on lightning, NFPA 780, permits either copper or aluminum conductors (cable) from the roof mounted lightning rods to the 8' copper-clad ground rods with the top driven 2' below grade. Personnaly I choose copper because it is a better conductor, will last longer, and oxidizes quickly so you don't see the cable on the roof. However, it costs more than aluminum.

[Lightning]

Comments on other posts:
Lightning rods do not attract lightning as they memerly give lightning a low- resistance safe path to ground. I agree that less than 5% of the homes have lightning protection systems (LPS) who have installed them for peace of mind. Please note that The Villages installs them on nearly all commerical property, places of assembly, pumping stations, and the old and new fire HQ.

To "BS you don't need them" - perhaps you don't because you have a high tolerance for risk. For those like me who have a low tolarance for risk I have shelled out $$ for peace of mind as I do not want to see my house destroyed along with all of my possessions and irrepalaceable memorabilia. I have watched two homes destroyed by lightning - not a pretty sight. Each homeowner needs to decide based on facts - not myths or hearsay - their own tolerance for risk.

I would be concerend for the quallity of a $750 LPS installation even for the smallest villa. The installer is most likely not UL or LPI listed - however they may tell that they are. Further, they may be cutting corners by not using UL listed componets. Remember, this is a buyer beware market place as there is no local, county, or state regulation of LPS installers for residential property.

[Fourpar]

Comments on other posts:
Lightning rods do not attract lightning as they merely give lightning a low- resistance safe path to ground. I agree that less than 5% of the homes have lightning protection systems (LPS) who have installed them for peace of mind. Please note that The Villages installs them on nearly all commerical property, places of assembly, pumping stations, and the old and new fire HQ.

To "BS you don't need them" - perhaps you don't because you have a high tolerance for risk. For those like me who have a low tolerance for risk I have shelled out $$ for peace of mind as I do not want to see my house destroyed along with all of my possessions and irreplaceable memorabilia. I have watched two homes destroyed by lightning - not a pretty sight. Each homeowner needs to decide based on facts - not myths or hearsay - their own tolerance for risk.

I would be concerned for the quality of a $750 LPS installation even for the smallest villa. The installer is most likely not UL or LPI listed - however they may tell that they are. Further, they may be cutting corners by not using UL listed components. Remember, this is a buyer beware market place as there is no local, county, or state regulation of LPS installers for residential property.

Well put! Particularly the part about "...based on facts - not myths or hearsay ...". :coolsmiley:

[mikewms1]

We thought about lightening rods too but after research decided against it. We are too close to our neighbors and altho the rods draw the lightening to the ground I found three houses in TV that were struck by lightening and their neighbors had the rods.

I'd rather take a chance of "maybe it could happen" than having something on my house that says" here I am." and perhaps having my neighbors house hit because of it...

I would just like people to know that lightning rods do not "attract" or "draw" lightning. They simply drain of charge that can build up over a house during a storm. If you do install them make sure hardware is UL approved or you are wasting your money.
(from a physicist)

[Lightning]

The myth that lightning rods attact lightning dates to the days of Ben Franklin. I strongly suggest that you go to The Villages Library and borrow Dr. Martin Umna's book, The Art and Science of Lightning Protection, and in particular page 17 that debunks this myth.