[bobnyce]

I have Duke and the were charging almost $10/month. I hired just right electric to install one in the box for about $250. No more forever charges to Duke. I suggest you know what they charge per month before you get it!

[Lightning]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Why do you think they are a waste of money? Figure stopping the surge before it gets inside my house is a good thing.

For a complete write up on lightning living here in the Lightning Capital of the US see the April 17, 2020, presentation at this link:
07-VCC-2020-04-17+04-24-lightning.pdf - Google Drive

[Fisherman]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Why do you think they are a waste of money? Figure stopping the surge before it gets inside my house is a good thing.

I agree 100%. Waste of money. Paid my monthly fee for 8 years. Lightening struck. There went my counter depth Maytag Refrigerator $2999. Dishwasher and garbage disposal. Called and filed a claim. Claim denied. Items were not plugged in to the wall on surge protector strips or plugs. Like to know how to do that with a dishwasher and garbage disposal. Only way they pay is if the items are on the surge protectors AND, only if they determine, which she could not explain how, that the lightening strike was powerful enough to trigger that surge protector on the outside of the house. Now everything is on my own surge protectors. After living in Florida my whole life, I have never had a refrigerator on a surge protector tor strip. The motherboard for the fridge was $500. The dishwasher was replaced $1000. Garbage disposal $150.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Lightning

For a complete write up on lightning living here in the Lightning Capital of the US see the April 17, 2020, presentation at this link:
07-VCC-2020-04-17+04-24-lightning.pdf - Google Drive

Very interesting. Never thought to do a secondary one for our land line with answering machine.

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

A family down the block from us had a fire last week from a lightning strike.

Is there a way to protect your self from it?

If your house gets a direct lightning strike I don't think anything can stop it.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by New Englander

If your house gets a direct lightning strike I don't think anything can stop it.

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by jayerose

Before I call them, would there be a way to know if I already have it installed?

(a new resident)

I don’t think most builders install them! Beside Surge Protectors are pretty inexpensive! You might have one put in because there is a lot of power surges. At least in the area we live in they were!

[neelie]

You can call them. Not sure how much help they’ll be. I have SECO and my house was hit with lightening. I have now additional surge protectors installed by my electric company, In Charge. Their technician told me I cannot have too many surge protectors

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by Frogfolly

Check your bill. If you have a surge protector, you are paying for it.
In my case it is $5.95/month, billed as a separate item above the tax line.

Unless it was PURCHASED and not "leased." We have no charge because the previous owner paid for it in full. Not sure they still offer that.

[Lightning]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Lightning protection systems (lightning rods) have been around since Franklin invented them in 1752. They do work if they are designed, installed , and maintained to the national standard on lightning. They are used extensively in The Villages. All water & sewer pumping stations, fire headquarters on Morse Blvd, The Sharon, nearly all buildings at Sumter Landing, major churches, Savannah Center, many residences and other properties are protected from a direct lightning strike. One home was heavily damaged this year and two last year. We have had 20 homes struck and damaged since 2004. None had lightning rods. The cost depends on the size of the home to be protected; estimated cost $1,000 up to $3,500 for larger homes. Only use lightning protection system installers listed by UL who employ a Master Installer certified by the Lightning Protection Institute. Reference: "The Art & Science of Lightning Protection" by Dr. Martin Uman from the University of Florida, NFPA-780, Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems.