[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Isn’t furnace vent sticking up above roof line lightning attraction? And how about those plumbing vent pipes?

We don't have a furnace. Our plumbing pipes are underneath the house in the crawlspace. Our hot water heater is in a nook accessed through the exterior of the house, not the interior or in a garage. We have a metal roof, which might or might not reduce risk, depending on whose website you read.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

We don't have a furnace. Our plumbing pipes are underneath the house in the crawlspace. Our hot water heater is in a nook accessed through the exterior of the house, not the interior or in a garage. We have a metal roof, which might or might not reduce risk, depending on whose website you read.

Honestly, I don't think I would worry about that coverage if I were you but only you can make that determination.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by jrref

The Villages Lightning Study Group has 17 documented cases of homes struck with a Lightning Protection System and there was no damage.

You are correct in that the probability of getting struck by lightning is very low here in the Villages even though central Florida is the lightning capital of the USA, but if it does happen, it will be a life changing experience for you and your family.

For less than the cost of one criuse, you can have a system installed and lower the probability of you home burning down or getting damaged from a lightning strike to near zero since nothing man made is 100%.

17 documented cases in what period of time? Ever, since The Villages was first created? In the past year? Five years? Decade?

And how many documented cases during the same period of time, have there been lightning strikes on homes without LPS? Of those documented cases, how many have had minor damage, and how many have had significant damage requiring the homeowner to vacate until the home was repaired/replaced?

[jrref]

Originally Posted by HappyTraveler

The bolded is very much the point. As you articulated in a prior comment, the biggest damage from strikes comes from gas lines being ignited.

If an owner has no gas lines, one rationally assumes that the damage is likely to be much more minimal. Will the Lightening Study Group discuss those kinds of particulars at the meeting on 8/19?

Yes we will and I will have a sample of a gas line that actually took a hit and you will be able to see the hole it made.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Velvet

I think the problem might be that residential LPS is expensive and the probability of being hit is low, so each person tries to figure out if it is worth it to them.

Correct until a home near where they live is hit and there is a spectactular fire, then it becomes real and they are faced with making a decision. I can tell you as we get more strikes, more people decide to get a system and the two certified installers that work in the Villages are backed up for months.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

17 documented cases in what period of time? Ever, since The Villages was first created? In the past year? Five years? Decade?

And how many documented cases during the same period of time, have there been lightning strikes on homes without LPS? Of those documented cases, how many have had minor damage, and how many have had significant damage requiring the homeowner to vacate until the home was repaired/replaced?

The Villages Lightning Study group has been documenting cases since 2004. Usually, we see one or two homes destroyed by lightning per year. But, in the past four years the number of homes destroyed by lightning has increased. Last year alone we had 7 homes destroyed and this year so far another 5 homes destroyed and several damaged. Some of these homes were in Ocala. Why this is happening is anyones guess but the rate of severe storms and lightning strikes and lightning related deaths has increased.

While this is a relatively small number in the big scheme of things, the point is since lightning is unpredictible you just don't know if or when you will be hit. So, as mentioned, you can do nothing and take your chances and if you are hit have that life changing experience or take one less cruise and get a system to greatly reduce your risk to the point where you won't have to worry about this risk.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Aces4

Honestly, I don't think I would worry about that coverage if I were you but only you can make that determination.

I'm not worried about it at all, not even a tiny smidge. We won't be getting a LPS. Our home is grounded. Metal roof, metal frame, low risk of damage from a strike (potentially increased risk of a strike, but damage would be minimal).

[sounding]

Originally Posted by Velvet

I think the problem might be that residential LPS is expensive and the probability of being hit is low, so each person tries to figure out if it is worth it to them.

As a meteorologist, who's home was affected when a nearby tree was hit by lightning back up north, and since Florida is the lightning capital of the U.S. ... this first thing I did upon moving to TV was to have LPS installed. I now sleep soundly - when at home or away.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

We don't have a furnace. Our plumbing pipes are underneath the house in the crawlspace. Our hot water heater is in a nook accessed through the exterior of the house, not the interior or in a garage. We have a metal roof, which might or might not reduce risk, depending on whose website you read.

So got electric furnace?

[Topspinmo]

I see LPS all over villages. You would think some could post ball park cost when had it installed recently. What I found online about costs was $1500 to $2600 for average to small size house? Which reasonable for small house IMO. I’ve made request for estimate on. 2 bedroom CYV. I’ll post if and when I get some figure’s ?

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Aces4

Just like insurance claims in The Villages. It's obvious you aren't interested or by the status of your home don't want LPS. No one is forcing anyone, this is advice for the proactive people who, year after year, don't have claims on their insurance policies but have policies nonetheless. They want the LPS protection at a one time cost and that's their choice which includes extra selling points for their home. Something for everyone in this world.

What is obvious to you is not true at all. I am actively considering a system as soon as we have our roof replaced. The difference is, aI will make my decision based on facts and statistics and not because someone can recommend an installer.

Want to throw out as a fact that 17 homes with LPS have been hit by lightning with little damage? Okay, then explain to me why, with an observed ratio of 1:20 LPS to unprotected, there haven’t been over 300 homes burned to the ground in the same period. Either LPS homes are being hit disproportionately or non-LPS homes are being hit with no damage. Either way the statistics give me something to consider before giving up the next cruise (are they really that inexpensive?).

[mtdjed]

[QUOTE=Bill14564;2452322]Every Villages home that I have parked my car in front of has not been hit by lightning. Every Villages home that has burnt from lightning has never had my car parked in front of it. Coincidence??

The above is not relevant.

What would be relevant if the Sample size was large enough, is the relationship between strikes on homes with no LPS verse houses with LPS.

I do have LPS and have for 18 years. No strikes that I am aware of, but then again, if the LPS is effective, how would I know?

What I do know is that I had a lightning event in my yard. My Metal Flagpole which is less high than my Lightning Rods on the house was involved. My observations were a flash and instant thunder meaning close. Immediate loss of cable TV. Outside I noted side of house splattered with mud, several muddy holes in sod about 4 feet from house in a line. Also, a muddy jagged line from the previous line out to my flagpole. Round decorative cap on the top of flag pole blown off of pole and distorted. Also, a pole distortion, between two of the segments. Outside TV cable line was found to be destroyed and needed to be replaced. Surge in house damaged one cable box.

Why the Flagpole and not the lightning rods?? Also note that this was 2nd time cable line had to be replaced after a lightning storm. Makes me wonder whether the Cable line is my real LPS.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

What is obvious to you is not true at all. I am actively considering a system as soon as we have our roof replaced. The difference is, aI will make my decision based on facts and statistics and not because someone can recommend an installer.

Want to throw out as a fact that 17 homes with LPS have been hit by lightning with little damage? Okay, then explain to me why, with an observed ratio of 1:20 LPS to unprotected, there haven’t been over 300 homes burned to the ground in the same period. Either LPS homes are being hit disproportionately or non-LPS homes are being hit with no damage. Either way the statistics give me something to consider before giving up the next cruise (are they really that inexpensive?).

Yes, there are some very reasonable cruises and you can make your own decision as I said earlier in "you do you". When others elect this system, they deserve the same option without derision. The odds may be against a direct strike but the odds are there that it can happen too.

[Altavia]

[QUOTE=mtdjed;2452469]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Every Villages home that I have parked my car in front of has not been hit by lightning. Every Villages home that has burnt from lightning has never had my car parked in front of it. Coincidence??

The above is not relevant.

What would be relevant if the Sample size was large enough, is the relationship between strikes on homes with no LPS verse houses with LPS.

I do have LPS and have for 18 years. No strikes that I am aware of, but then again, if the LPS is effective, how would I know?

What I do know is that I had a lightning event in my yard. My Metal Flagpole which is less high than my Lightning Rods on the house was involved. My observations were a flash and instant thunder meaning close. Immediate loss of cable TV. Outside I noted side of house splattered with mud, several muddy holes in sod about 4 feet from house in a line. Also, a muddy jagged line from the previous line out to my flagpole. Round decorative cap on the top of flag pole blown off of pole and distorted. Also, a pole distortion, between two of the segments. Outside TV cable line was found to be destroyed and needed to be replaced. Surge in house damaged one cable box.

Why the Flagpole and not the lightning rods?? Also note that this was 2nd time cable line had to be replaced after a lightning storm. Makes me wonder whether the Cable line is my real LPS.

Possibly because the flag pole is not grounded and flashed over to surface ground. The energy jumped from the flag pole to earth and/or your cable


Your LPS has multiple ground rods deep into the earth safely dissipating the charge.

So your experience is evidence the LPS protected the home. Similar to an umbrella protecting you from the rain.

[lildfromnyc]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I see LPS all over villages. You would think some could post ball park cost when had it installed recently. What I found online about costs was $1500 to $2600 for average to small size house? Which reasonable for small house IMO. I’ve made request for estimate on. 2 bedroom CYV. I’ll post if and when I get some figure’s ?

That would be great..... Thank you