Shield Your Entire Home from Electrical Surges—Because One Spike Can Cost Thousands
Why Whole-Home Surge Protection Is Essential
Imagine this: lightning strikes your neighborhood transformer, and a sudden jolt of electricity travels through your home’s wiring. Your TV, fridge, HVAC system, and laptop are fried in a split second. Unfortunately, this isn’t just a worst-case scenario—it happens more often than most homeowners realize.
Power surges are short bursts of electricity that can wreak havoc on your electrical system. They’re caused by external factors like utility grid issues or lightning, and internal events like motorized appliances switching on and off. Without protection, these spikes can shorten the life of your devices—or eradicate them.
A professionally installed whole-home surge protector from McCarthy Electric adds a critical layer of defense, giving you peace of mind whenever you flip a switch or plug in your phone.
What Causes Power Surges?
Knowing the sources of surges helps you understand the value of proactive protection:
- Utility Grid Problems: Your home can experience a significant voltage spike when power is restored after an outage.
- Lightning Strikes: Even if it doesn’t hit your home directly, lightning can cause surges through nearby power lines.
- High-Voltage Appliances: Refrigerators, HVAC units, washers, and dryers create mini-surges each time they cycle on.
- Faulty Wiring or Breakers: Aging or unprotected panels may not handle fluctuations effectively.
These aren’t rare occurrences—most homes experience dozens to hundreds of small surges yearly, silently degrading the performance of electronics and appliances.
What Is Whole-Home Surge Protection?
Unlike a plug-in surge strip, a whole-home surge protector is a professional-grade device installed directly at your main electrical panel. It monitors and deflects dangerous voltage spikes away from your circuits before they can damage anything downstream.
Think of it as a security system—not for intruders, but for dangerous electricity.
Key benefits include:
- Protection for all outlets, appliances, and devices
- Increased lifespan for electronics and smart home tech
- Defense against both external and internal power surges
- Code-compliant installation with peace of mind for insurance and inspections
Who Should Get Surge Protection?
Whole-home surge protection is especially valuable for:
- Homeowners with Smart Devices: Think thermostats, video doorbells, smart lights, and home security systems.
- Those with Expensive Appliances: Modern washers, dryers, refrigerators, and ranges use sensitive electronics.
- Remote Workers or Home Office Setups: A surge can erase data and damage computers and routers instantly.
- Anyone in an Older Home: Homes built before the 2000s often lack modern surge protection standards.
- Residents of Snohomish County: Storms, winter outages, and local utility maintenance create frequent surge risk in our region.
Even if you’ve “never had a problem,” it’s not a matter of if, but when a surge occurs.
Our Installation Process
At McCarthy Electric, we make it simple, affordable, and code-compliant.
Step 1: Free Home Evaluation
We inspect your existing electrical panel and grounding system, then recommend the right surge protector based on your home’s size and power usage.
Step 2: Panel-Mounted SPD Installation
We install a UL-listed Surge Protection Device (SPD) directly onto your main service panel, where surges enter your system.
Step 3: Testing & Safety Check
We verify that the surge protector is installed correctly, your panel is properly grounded, and no other electrical issues are present.
Step 4: Customer Walkthrough
We explain how the device works, what to expect, and review warranty coverage.
Most installs take 1 to 2 hours, and we can typically schedule within 48 hours of your call.
Real-World Risks: Client Scenarios
Everett Homeowner: After replacing two appliances in six months due to flickering lights and strange resets, this client added surge protection and hasn’t had a single issue.
Lake Stevens Resident: A nearby lightning strike fried their furnace motherboard. The cost of repairs ($1,200) far exceeded the price of a whole-home surge system
Bothell Couple: Working from home, they lost data and equipment when a transformer blew down the street. We installed surge protection and upgraded their panel for safe, reliable power.
These are tangible outcomes—each preventable with a professionally installed SPD from McCarthy Electric.
Why Homeowners Choose McCarthy Electric
When it comes to electrical safety, your contractor matters. Here’s why homeowners from Lynnwood to Lake Stevens trust us:
✔️ Licensed, Bonded, and Insured
✔️ Hundreds of 5-Star Reviews from Local Clients
✔️ Upfront Pricing—No Surprise Charges
✔️ Fast Scheduling with Clear Communication
✔️ Snohomish County Experts—We better understand local power conditions and surge risks than out-of-area contractors.
We believe in doing things right the first time—with craftsmanship, integrity, and clear communication.
Common Questions About Surge Protection
Can I just use surge strips?
Surge strips only protect what’s plugged into them—and many fail after the first significant hit. Whole-home systems offer complete coverage.
What devices are covered?
Everything connected to your electrical system: TVs, computers, kitchen appliances, HVAC units, Wi-Fi routers, lighting systems, etc.
How long do surge protectors last?
Depending on surge frequency, many are rated for 10–15 years. During your walkthrough, we’ll show you how to monitor your unit’s health.
What’s the cost of installation?
We offer free quotes. Most installations are affordable and cost significantly less than replacing even one major appliance.
Will it help with flickering lights or tripping breakers?
Not directly—those are likely signs of panel or wiring issues. But we can assess that during your inspection and offer solutions.
Bonus Protection: Ask About Add-Ons
- Secondary Surge Protection: Additional SPDs can be installed on sub-panels or near sensitive devices like solar inverters or mini-split HVAC systems.
- Load Calculations: Planning to install a hot tub or EV charger? We’ll evaluate your capacity and ensure your panel is surge-ready and code-compliant.
- Home Energy Monitoring: Get real-time insights into energy usage and performance through SPAN or other smart panel solutions we offer.
Maintenance & Monitoring Tips
- Visual Indicators: Most units have LED lights that show whether they’re active and functioning.
- Check After Major Storms: While many SPDs are self-resetting, some may need to be manually checked or replaced after major surge events.
- Schedule Annual Inspections: Make them part of your spring or fall home maintenance plan. McCarthy Electric can include surge checkups with other services like panel inspections.
Schedule Your Free Surge Protection Assessment
Don’t wait for lightning or a blown transformer to destroy your electronics. Take the proactive step today.
Call McCarthy Electric for your FREE whole-home surge protection estimate.
Let’s ensure your home is protected from what you can’t see.
Fast Scheduling | Expert Local Installers | Transparent Pricing
Serving Lynnwood, Everett, Lake Stevens, Bothell & Nearby Cities
www.mccarthyelectricandtechnologies.com | 425-541-7112