[jrref]

There have been numerous post concerning surge protection given the number of storms and lightning strikes here in the Villages over the past couple of months. Just to reinforce the facts, Surge Protection is something you need to seriously consider if you live here in the Villages due to our location and weather patterns that cause servere storms and lightning. The first step I would take is to get a Type-2 Primary Surge protector installed at your circuit breaker panel. This will protect your appliances, HVAC, pool equipment and electronic devices. Lenhart Electric, (352) 748-5818, will install the Eaton Ultra for $450. This is a special deal that will expire shortly so if you are thinking about "Whole House" surge protection, I would make a decision ASAP. These Type-2 protectors will manage power surges coming from all sources and prevent them from spreading to your entire home. If you live in a new area of the Villages, this type of surge protection is installed as part of the latest version of the electrical code. They typically install something equivalent to the Eaton BRNSURGE Type BR Whole-Panel Circuit Breaker Surge Protective Device Amazon.com Since surge protection is a layered system, I would then make sure you have Type-3 or point of use surge protectors at your TVs, Computers, and other sensitive electronics. Amazon.com You can additionally install plug in cube surge protectors at your micowave and other devices. If you can afford more protection you can have an electrician install surge protection at your HVAC, pool and spa equipment. Devices such as the Intermatic AG3000 120/240 VAC Universal HVAC Surge Protective Device Amazon.com can be installed. Fortunately, new installs typically have this type of surge protection included. Finally, I would get the Type-1 Surge Protector from Seco. This device is primarily designed to manage power surges from the Power Utility. Statistically, these surges occur 20% of the time whereas the rest of the power surges, 80%, come from everywhere else. Surge protection is not something to take lightly. Destructive power surges happen way more than you would expect.

For lightning protection, there have been numerous posts and the Villages Lightning Study Group here in the Villages gives non-commercialized presentations to various groups and the POA so that everyone has the facts and can make an informed decision based on their specific needs and tolerance for risk. If you are interested in getting a lightning protection system, in order to make sure it's installed and will function properly, I would suggest getting a company that is UL Certified and Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) trained. The ones that meet these qualifications and are doing work here in the Villages are
A-1 Lightning Protection
352-465-0620
Triangle Lightning Protection
352-483-7020

There are other installers who use UL certified equipment but doing the correct installation is most important in this case.

Finally, If you were not able to attend one of the Study Group presentations, here is a link to the last POA presentation that was recorded. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJMLyywdB0A&t=2041s

I hope this post can be a source of information for those trying to make sure their home and family are safe from the issues we typically have here from severe weather in the Villages.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

To add to this post, a non lightning surge, coming from the power company, can start a house fire. There are documented cases outside of FL, locally one in Waltham , MA, for the New Englanders.

So the cheapest insurance is to start with the complete home surge protection unit, installed at your circuit panel, for a minimal one time cost.

jrref recommendations are detailed and spot on.