Mesh
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Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
I live in Florida where we get a lot of lightning storms throughout the year and once in awhile, our power has gone down (the last one was a month ago, but only the garage freezer got tripped and was a easy fix). Imagining the worst case scenario:: no AC during the summer or worse AC gets completely zapped and needs replacing (I'm thinking mostly of my 4 little ones in the house going without AC). Is it worth getting a service like this from our power company? Protect your major appliances from dangerous power surgesOur Surge Protection Service works at the meter to block surges before they reach your home's interior wiring, providing enhanced protection for your major appliances. Easy installation - appointments typically not necessaryFree grounding inspection and repairsHelps provide excellent protection for major appliances including your refrigerator, HVAC, washer and dryer.Additional protection available for computers, TV and other electronicsJust $6.99/month* - conveniently added to your bill with a one-time installation fee of $44.95*
https://www.progress-energy.com/florida/home/products-services/surge-protection/index.page
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bapu
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Re: Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
2015/07/17 15:19:33
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I could be wrong but it seems that what you need for full home surge protection would be better spent on auxilary power (IIRC includes surge, not Serge, protection).
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Mesh
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Re: Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
2015/07/17 15:26:55
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bapu
I could be wrong but it seems that what you need for full home surge protection would be better spent on auxilary power (IIRC includes surge, not Serge, protection).
Do you mean like a generator (auxiliary power)?
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slartabartfast
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Re: Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
2015/07/17 15:28:57
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☄ Helpfulby Mesh 2015/07/17 15:44:05
It sounds inexpensive, but 6.99 x 12 x 10 = 838.80 over ten years for a "service" that is really just the installation of a device to break the circuit. Units that do this sell in the range of $200.00, and even if you pay an electrician to install it you should be able to save money doing that. It will not provide continuous power, just possibly protection of attached equipment. Check your homeowner's insurance policy. Often these cover damage of this type due to lightning. Some may exclude other sources of surges exterior to your home. The most common cause of external surges is actually downed power lines, and your utility will generally deny recompense for these unless it is clearly their negligence. And 80% if surges originate inside your home and are not effectively blocked by a service entrance protector.
post edited by slartabartfast - 2015/07/17 15:59:17
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Beepster
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Re: Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
2015/07/17 15:42:07
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☄ Helpfulby Mesh 2015/07/17 16:03:55
I'd call them and say... "Aren't I supposed to be getting an even, steady voltage from the pole anyway.. you DICKS?!"... then maybe fart in the phone if they get persnickety.
They've been deregulating power service up here slowly but surely but it's still mostly Gov controlled. Not sure about FL but it almost sounds like the furnace clowns (which is a free for all and they constantly try to sell my mum on stupid "services" at her place she doesn't need) who just want to get their foot in the door to make a bunch of "recommendations" and sign you up for various "premium service plans".
If you know a trustworthy electrician in the area (like a buddy who doesn't want to see you get screwed) I'd ask them first what it's all about. If they are licensed they'll know the code and what the providers are up to. They might point you in a better direction like doing stuff on your own that isn't going to sap money from you every month and may even add to the value of your home.
Sorry... just sounds skeevy but I don't trust any of these utility services anymore. Especially independent providers. They're only a slight step up from door to door vacuum salesmen but shroud themselves in the "legitimacy" of being a power company.
You know who might know, kind of, is Herb. He seems honest and has likely encountered this type of scheme.
Cheers.
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Mesh
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Re: Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
2015/07/17 15:45:22
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slartabartfast
It sounds inexpensive, but 6.99 x 12 x 10 = 838.80 over ten years for a "service" that is really just the installation of a device to break the circuit. Units that do this sell in the range of $200.00, and even if you pay an electrician to install it you should be able to save money doing that. It will not provide continuous power, just possibly protection of attached equipment.
That's probably my biggest dilemma.....the protection for my large appliances....namely the HVAC. Just curious....shouldn't these units that breaks the circuit, cut off any surges to the major appliances? Therefore, the appliances shouldn't get affected by the lightning?
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Mesh
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Re: Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
2015/07/17 15:50:04
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Beepster
I'd call them and say... "Aren't I supposed to be getting an even, steady voltage from the pole anyway.. you DICKS?!"... then maybe fart in the phone if they get persnickety.
They've been deregulating power service up here slowly but surely but it's still mostly Gov controlled. Not sure about FL but it almost sounds like the furnace clowns (which is a free for all and they constantly try to sell my mum on stupid "services" at her place she doesn't need) who just want to get their foot in the door to make a bunch of "recommendations" and sign you up for various "premium service plans".
If you know a trustworthy electrician in the area (like a buddy who doesn't want to see you get screwed) I'd ask them first what it's all about. If they are licensed they'll know the code and what the providers are up to. They might point you in a better direction like doing stuff on your own that isn't going to sap money from you every month and may even add to the value of your home.
Sorry... just sounds skeevy but I don't trust any of these utility services anymore. Especially independent providers. They're only a slight step up from door to door vacuum salesmen but shroud themselves in the "legitimacy" of being a power company.
You know who might know, kind of, is Herb. He seems honest and has likely encountered this type of scheme.
Cheers.
+1 Beeps I agree on all parts (except for the farting and name calling part) 
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Beepster
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Re: Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
2015/07/17 15:54:55
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☄ Helpfulby Mesh 2015/07/17 16:03:50
Heheh. Wise. I may be feeling a little saucy today thus the dicks and phone farting.
;-)
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drewfx1
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Re: Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
2015/07/17 15:58:04
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☄ Helpfulby Mesh 2015/07/17 16:16:53
When I had my panel replaced, I sort of researched it and decided the $100-$200 for a protector at the panel was worthwhile, though like any surge protection it only protects what it protects.
But I don't see what the $6.99/month is for.
 In order, then, to discover the limit of deepest tones, it is necessary not only to produce very violent agitations in the air but to give these the form of simple pendular vibrations. - Hermann von Helmholtz, predicting the role of the electric bassist in 1877.
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Mesh
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Re: Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
2015/07/17 16:10:22
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drewfx1
When I had my panel replaced, I sort of researched it and decided the $100-$200 for a protector at the panel was worthwhile, though like any surge protection it only protects what it protects.
But I don't see what the $6.99/month is for.
I'm also inclined to get one of these $100 - $200 units......still don't know much about it. I'm guessing the $6.99 they collect from all us victims covers this: "If our device fails as the result of a surge, you will be reimbursed for the costs to repair or replace your damaged appliance at fair market value."
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bapu
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Re: Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
2015/07/17 16:18:51
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drewfx1
But I don't see what the $6.99/month is for.
The coffers?
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drewfx1
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Re: Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
2015/07/17 16:26:15
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Then the question is exactly what is being guaranteed?
It was a few years ago when I got a new panel and I spent ages parsing the differing technical opinions of electricians vs. the obvious electro-sales-weasels ("You need this protection!"). The problem is the question of whether any surge protector will do diddly depends on where the lightning hits. My recollection is that these panel thingies only really help if like the power lines that feed your house get hit somewhere nearby you (but not too near).
In order, then, to discover the limit of deepest tones, it is necessary not only to produce very violent agitations in the air but to give these the form of simple pendular vibrations. - Hermann von Helmholtz, predicting the role of the electric bassist in 1877.
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Beepster
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Re: Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
2015/07/17 17:23:02
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bapu
drewfx1
But I don't see what the $6.99/month is for.
The coffers?
Sucker tax.
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slartabartfast
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Re: Home Surge Protection Service....worth it?
2015/07/17 17:40:51
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Mesh
I'm guessing the $6.99 they collect from all us victims covers this:
"If our device fails as the result of a surge, you will be reimbursed for the costs to repair or replace your damaged appliance at fair market value."
If your air conditioning is part of the house heating and cooling system, as opposed to something you hook up to the window and move around, it is more likely covered in a standard homeowners policy. Check with your insurance agent (or better still the claims people at the home office) to see if you are duplicating this coverage. Lots of times when there are insurance exclusions they apply to electronics, but not to the furnace or built in range etc. Electronics are actually better protected by local surge protectors, they are much more sensitive to surges of the type that come from things happening inside your own home circuits. Some of the relatively inexpensive plug in surge protectors come with ridiculously high "insurance" guarantees for damage of affected electronics. Those big guarantees reflect, not so much the manufacture's confidence in his product, so more the fact that this kind of damage is not as common as most people think. And of course getting paid for a claim under one of these guarantees is an act of faith.
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