[daca55]

The other day I found a card hanging from my door knob from Florida Energy Conservation Advisors, Inc. It was advertising a free energy audit. Because my house is 6 years old I thought it may be a good idea to hear what they had to say. A representative showed up and did my energy audit. He told me my house should have a radiant barrier in the attic, my windows should have a film on them that stops the heat from coming in and I should definitely have a whole house power controlled surge protector. After hearing how much this was going to cost I was not interested in the radiant barrier or the window film at this time as I am only here 6 months of the year, When I am year round then maybe. However I am leaning towards the whole house surge protector to help protect against lightning strikes. They will install it for $469 and if the protector takes a lightning strike they will replace it for free.

Has anyone ever done business with Florida Energy Conservation Advisors, Inc. or knows anything about them? The representative was very professional and I did learn a lot. I would feel comfortable hearing that someone has used them and what their experience was.

What is the consensus on whole house power controlled surge protectors? Are they necessary? I know we are in an area where there is lots of lightning in the summer months so maybe it is a good idea.Thanks for all info/replies

[EdFNJ]

Call your electric company. They will probably do it a lot cheaper. We have SECO and it is currently $350 or $6/month on bill. Also guaranteed for life. These door to door folks aside from usually being “illegal” around here should usually be avoided.




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My user name should be EdF(formerly from)NJ and glad to be gone. [emoji3]

[Toymeister]

SECO surge protectors are installed at the meter, whole house surge protectors are installed at your breaker mains. Probably about the same protection. Village Tinker has some experience with this, I am sure he can chime in

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by daca55

He told me my... windows should have a film on them that stops the heat from coming

Its very likely that you already have low E glass and the film will have minimal impact. My 2013 home has low E glass, for example. Film is less effective than low E glass. Its better than not having it, don't get me wrong,

[Bryan]

Their 'home energy inspection' is nothing more that a foot-in-the-door tactic for their radiant barrier sales pitch. If you want a real good home energy inspection, schedule it with SECO. It will cost you nothing but a little time and there will be no sales pitch. SECO can also offer you a surge protector - ask them about the options.

[jimbo2012]

I hung up on them, they called back 3 more times.

Dirt bags

[villagetinker]

OP, I have the SECO surge protector, and the 5 or 6 supplemental protectors for TVs, and other electronics. This protection is good for a close in lightning strike (like with in a few hundred feet), but IMHO, would not be good for a direct strike. There are several threads about whole house lightning protection (the wires and spikes on the roofs), and if installed correctly by a LICENSED installed with UL rated equipment will provide some additional protection, but IMHO, this is mainly FIRE protection. A direct strike to your house will most likely destroy all of your electronics, so I have opted to protect for the near miss protection. Also, there are several local electricians that will install protection similar to the SECO protection inside your breaker panel for under $300.

[Rango]

I never do business with anyone or company that comes to my door.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

OP, I have the SECO surge protector, and the 5 or 6 supplemental protectors for TVs, and other electronics. This protection is good for a close in lightning strike (like with in a few hundred feet), but IMHO, would not be good for a direct strike. There are several threads about whole house lightning protection (the wires and spikes on the roofs), and if installed correctly by a LICENSED installed with UL rated equipment will provide some additional protection, but IMHO, this is mainly FIRE protection. A direct strike to your house will most likely destroy all of your electronics, so I have opted to protect for the near miss protection. Also, there are several local electricians that will install protection similar to the SECO protection inside your breaker panel for under $300.

Do the electricians guarantee it for life as SECO does if it takes a "hit" or is it re-settable like a breaker?

When we moved into our home a year ago (we have SECO) it was already installed on our meter but I noticed one of the lights were out meaning it took a "hit/near miss" and they were out the next day and replaced it.

As "backup" I installed HUBBELL Surge Suppression Receptacles on TV & refrigerator outlets. They weren't cheap but seemed to be highly rated for this purpose.

[mulligan]

Surge protectors DO NOT protect against lightning strikes.

[jimbo2012]

Ever notice lightning rods on all the buildings around the Squares.

They cost a few bucks butter offer good protection, in addition to a surge protector on your circuit panel.

I always felt the Seco outdoor protectors do more to protect their meters, not sure but looks that way.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by mulligan

Surge protectors DO NOT protect against lightning strikes.

NOTHING will protect you from a DIRECT strike but the other types of devices can (and have for me) save you from damage caused by the transients that come down the line from the folks who unfortunately did get hit. I doubt even a lightning rod will however that should PREVENT strikes and whether it does or doesn’t if a neighbor gets hit a lightening rod won’t stop what comes in down the power lines which is where a good quality surge suppressor will help ( not the ones that look like outlet strips but commercial grade devices).

[Tom C]

You may want to check to see if your homeowners insurance covers damage from lightning. ... Just a thought...