[Altavia]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I understand your point, but the air handler is just a fan. Wouldn't the same logic also apply to more expensive items, such as the water heater and the refrigerator?

Air handlers now days include electronics for speed controlled fans that requires replacing the entire fan assembly costing over $500.

So agree with you it would depend on the cost off adding a hard wired surge protector to that unit.

[ton80]

Originally Posted by jrref

Correct, so while the utility surge protector warranty clearly states it won't protect any devices with electronics the Eaton whole house surge protector and point of use surge protectors warranty does state it will cover these devices. Of course there are exclusions but there is some coverage.

Here are some of the conditions that limit the coverage. Read the whole Eaton warranty to see if you actually meet all of the conditions:

"6. This coverage is secondary to any applicable warranties,
service contracts and / or all other insurance. If the claim
is found to be valid, Eaton will pay up to the deductible
of the homeowners insurance or the cost of the damage,
whichever is less. This reimbursement is limited to the
Reimbursement Maximum Amounts stated below.
7. Electrical equipment, such as televisions with multiple
ports, must have surge protection on each conductor
(e.g. ac power, cable, etc.)."

#6 limits the amount of damage to the deductible from your homeowner insurance. Therefore your primary insurance is still your own insurance.

#7 requires a surge protection device on every connection to the equipment so there is another set of competing insurance coverages to contend with before you can collect anything.

IMHO, you may have some limited coverage from this Eaton surge protector warranty, but it is pretty limited.

[bsloan1960]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

If you need a surge protector on your air handler, why don't you need one on the water heater, washer, dryer, refrigerator, microwave, stove, dishwasher, garbage disposal, ceiling fans, and every other electrical device in your house? I think the company is trying to scam you. I don't even have a whole house surge protector because I think it is the power company's responsibility to deliver safe, surge-free power to the house without the need to buy an add-on device. Where is the evidence that these surge protectors provide any positive return on investment?

It is their responsibility to provide power that is generated and supplied using the available technology. It is up to us to protect against mother nature. If your house is hit with a surge and your possessions are damaged there will be no recourse against the utility.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

It is their responsibility to provide power that is generated and supplied using the available technology. It is up to us to protect against mother nature. If your house is hit with a surge and your possessions are damaged there will be no recourse against the utility.

You have homeowner's insurance to cover damage caused by mother nature. The surge protector warranty covers almost no damage in your house, especially by lightning. The lightning must actually travel through the nearest transformer to cover any damage, and even then, it still only covers a few appliance motors in your house. It doesn't cover any electronics or anything with a microchip. It doesn't even cover any wiring or outlets in your house. (See Post No. 36).

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

You have homeowner's insurance to cover damage caused by mother nature. The surge protector warranty covers almost no damage in your house, especially by lightning. The lightning must actually travel through the nearest transformer to cover any damage, and even then, it still only covers a few appliance motors in your house. It doesn't cover any electronics or anything with a microchip. It doesn't even cover any wiring or outlets in your house. (See Post No. 36).

The way I look at it, and simply my opinion, is that for the slightly less than $400 I paid to have the SECO unit installed, if it saves even one device from failure, I'm completely fine with it. When I decided to make the purchase, I had no expectations that it would provide 100% protection. Again, it's a personal decision one needs to make.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by photo1902

The way I look at it, and simply my opinion, is that for the slightly less than $400 I paid to have the SECO unit installed, if it saves even one device from failure, I'm completely fine with it. When I decided to make the purchase, I had no expectations that it would provide 100% protection. Again, it's a personal decision one needs to make.

I agree with your opinion. But, it is the principle that bothers me. The power company is using the sale of surge protectors as a gimmick to add to their profits. I have not seen any evidence to support the need for a surge protector on every house, and if they were really needed, the design engineers would have included the surge protection into the original system design.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I agree with your opinion. But, it is the principle that bothers me. The power company is using the sale of surge protectors as a gimmick to add to their profits. I have not seen any evidence to support the need for a surge protector on every house, and if they were really needed, the design engineers would have included the surge protection into the original system design.

I totally get that.

[jrref]

In my opinion, you don't buy surge protectors for the insurance they may provide. That's a side benefit. You invest in them to significantly lessen the risk of home device damage due to power surges.

One thing I forgot to mention is even without lightning striking near your home creating an induced power surge, you get small power surges in your home every time the A/C, washing machine, microwave, large appliance, etc turns on. These small power surges can and do damage your sensitive electronic equipment over time. Have you ever heard someone tell you their TV stopped coming on all of a sudden for no reason? For these surges the "whole house" surge protector along with the point of use surge protectors will stop the damage from these types of surges.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by jrref

In my opinion, you don't buy surge protectors for the insurance they may provide. That's a side benefit. You invest in them to significantly lessen the risk of home device damage due to power surges.

One thing I forgot to mention is even without lightning striking near your home creating an induced power surge, you get small power surges in your home every time the A/C, washing machine, microwave, large appliance, etc turns on. These small power surges can and do damage your sensitive electronic equipment over time. Have you ever heard someone tell you their TV stopped coming on all of a sudden for no reason? For these surges the "whole house" surge protector along with the point of use surge protectors will stop the damage from these types of surges.

I agree about the point-of-use surge protectors reducing damage to electronic equipment, but surges caused by appliances turning on are not reduced by a whole house surge protector because that device is located on the outside meter. But, I think the power company should incorporate all cost effective surge protection measures into their overall system design, and not try to "nickel and dime" customers by selling them non-cost effective surge protection that the design engineers did not believe was needed. Most customers do not purchase the optional whole house surge protectors. If the surge protectors are needed, they should not be optional.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I agree about the point-of-use surge protectors reducing damage to electronic equipment, but surges caused by appliances turning on are not reduced by a whole house surge protector because that device is located on the outside meter. But, I think the power company should incorporate all cost effective surge protection measures into their overall system design, and not try to "nickel and dime" customers by selling them non-cost effective surge protection that the design engineers did not believe was needed. Most customers do not purchase the optional whole house surge protectors. If the surge protectors are needed, they should not be optional.

I meant the whole house surge protector installed at the circuit breaker panel along with point of use protectors will manage surges caused by appliances turning on and off. The function of the surge protector at the circuit breaker panel is any surge from any branch circuit will be shunted at the panel so it doesn't "spread" to other branch circuits. You are correct, the surge protector at the meter is too far away and not designed to shunt these types of surges. This is why surge protection is a layered approach. But I agree, the utility should supply the meter surge protector free of charge to guard against surges from THEIR system entering your home.

[lawngilander]

I was a licensed electrician before I retired. Would I be covered if I installed a Surge Protector myself?

[midiwiz]

Originally Posted by dmwalsh33

I have a surge protector on my outside AC unit. The company now tells me I need a surge protector on the inside air handler. Is that necessary? Thank you for your assistance!

talk about getting scammed. there is no surge protector that will protect anything. the only way to protect electronics is to run off batteries and have the electric recharge the battery bank. It's called conditioned power.

The reason is because lightening is so fast electronics are too slow to catch the strike and prevent damage. Sorry to burst your bubble but those are the hard core facts.

[dhdallas]

Originally Posted by dmwalsh33

I have a surge protector on my outside AC unit. The company now tells me I need a surge protector on the inside air handler. Is that necessary? Thank you for your assistance!

Surge protectors are for suckers. I have never used a surge protector or UPS and have never had an electrical device damaged or have it's life expectancy shortened by fluctuations of power in the past 60 years.

[HiHoSteveO]

Have never heard of surge protection unit at the air handler.
These two videos help to explain some of this though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGpOwUAJ16c

Suppressing the Surge - This Old House

[Robnlaura]

Originally Posted by pikeselectric

Hi Asianthree, Our type 2 Eaton Ultra whole home surge protector is designed to protect your whole home's equipment and major appliances from surge damage. I'd love to tell you more about it if you are in the market for more extensive protection - Casandra with Pike's Electric (352)748-6251

$71 bucks on Amazon