[BarryB]

This has most likely been covered before but since I'm new I'll ask.
Is it recomended to get a surge protector installed from the electric company for protection against a lighting hit?

[cologal]

Originally Posted by BarryB

This has most likely been covered before but since I'm new I'll ask.
Is it recommended to get a surge protector installed from the electric company for protection against a lighting hit?

It has been discussed but you do have options.. You can rent or buy from the electric company or you can buy from an electrical contractor like Munn's.

It has been said that the contractors are a better deal. With all the lighting it is highly recommended. They also recommend smaller protectors on the garage door opener, TV, Microwave, lawn sprinklers and any computers.

[GMONEY]

Yes it is a good idea. i just checked in the home system thru Galaxy Home Solutions in Wildwood. The only hit I see is you cant protect from a direct strike. The odds are high you will not get a direct hit, but if you did it could knock out everything. I have a friend in Leesburg, it seems everybad storm they get hit hard, already knocked out 2 new television set ups.
As Cologal quoted, check the SECO and other places. It is good to have.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by BarryB

This has most likely been covered before but since I'm new I'll ask. Is it recomended to get a surge protector installed from the electric company for protection against a lighting hit?

Yes.

Two worthwhile purchases we made in the Spring before we left for six month .... humidistat and surge protector.

You can get SECO to install one on your electrical panel. Or you can buy individual surge protectors for your outlets and install them yourself (less effective but also a lot less expensive and better than nothing).

[The Great Fumar]

Barryb

i personally have the seco protector collar on my elec. Panel and several little protectors on tv's , phones. Etc etc...

Having said that, i also must tell you that we went to a meeting with the fire people and the lighting question was asked of the chief.......
He stated that collar's and lightning rods have very little effect if any in preventing strikes..........also said that some believe that they actually attract lighting.........

I personally think its a crap shoot...... Its the luck of the draw but you' ll sleep better then its probably worth the money....

Nervous fumar

[downeaster]

A friend who is an electrical engineer and specializes in lightning protection says the best protection is a tall tree nearby, preferably pine.
Of course it is only good for one hit as pine trees tend to die after a direct hit.
He also said lightning rods may be of benefit if installed correctly. He added, most are not installed correctly.

[Barefoot]

My husband, Fireboy, isn't retired yet. In real life he is a Fire Captain. He set up the surge protectors on the individual plugs in our Villa.

[rsetterlund]

How do I contact Munn's. I checked superpages.com and can only find air conditioning dealers. If you have their phone number would you please post it. I would like to contact and get an estimate for having a whole house surge protector installed. Thanks.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by rsetterlund

How do I contact Munn's. I checked superpages.com and can only find air conditioning dealers. If you have their phone number would you please post it. I would like to contact and get an estimate for having a whole house surge protector installed. Thanks.

TV phone book. Munn's Heating and Air Conditioning, lake cty 352-787-7741, Marion 821-0284, Sumter 689-0164. Did not see where Munn's does electrical contracting.

[Barefoot]

Munns does both air conditioners and dehumidistats. SECO (your electric company) installs surge protectors.

We had our dehumidistat installed when Munns did our yearly air conditioner service.

[jojo]

I do not know how a humidistat works. Does it simply signal the air conditioning on when the humidity reaches a certain level? My problem is that I don't like the air conditioning on cool enough to reduce the humidity in my house in the summer.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by jojo

I do not know how a humidistat works. Does it simply signal the air conditioning on when the humidity reaches a certain level? .

Jojo, that is exactly the way a humidistat works. It reacts to humidity, not heat. We used one for the summer months (we're snowbirds) with incredibly low electric bills. No mould, perfect results.

[MMC24]

Between the two, a humidistat is more important to install in your home. The humidistate is used everyday during the summer and will help prevent mold build up. There is a lot of lighting in our area and should we sustain a direct hit on our house, the surge protector will not help.

[Pocadot55]

We had SECO install their protectors four years ago. This year lightning hit one of our palm trees and knocked out all our electronics on one side of our house. SECO does not handle the claims. They give you a number to call in Utah. You must send the surge protector that your electronics were plugged into to Utah where they will examine it and let you know if you have a claim. In our case they said the lightning strike came through the ground and they were not liable. Even though the surge protector was damaged, it was not damaged enough for a claim. Our homeowners policy picked up the tab. I also learned that the surge protector on the meter is only for appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, etc. So-called "white appliances". We still have the surge protector on the meter even though they are difficult to deal with in placing a claim.

[GMONEY]

check with Galaxy Home Solutions in Wildwood.