What does going without surge protection cost?
Updated August 2026
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A single utility surge or a nearby lightning strike can fry HVAC control boards, appliances, and electronics all at once, easily $2,000–10,000 in one event, against a $150–350 whole-house surge protector at the panel that clamps the spike before it spreads. Modern homes are full of circuit boards, in the furnace, the range, the washer, the garage door, and every screen, and a big transient does not politely pick one victim. The panel-level device is the first line, and $20–50 point-of-use strips behind it are the second, catching the smaller everyday surges on your most sensitive gear. Skipping both saves a couple hundred dollars and leaves five figures of electronics exposed.
The escalation ladder
Every row below is the same leak, left a little longer. The top is a cheap warning; the bottom is a claim.
| What happens | Typical bill | How fast |
|---|---|---|
| You add a whole-house surge protector at the panel | $150–350 installed | One visit |
| You back it up with point-of-use strips on sensitive gear | $20–50 each | As needed |
| A spent protector is replaced when its indicator light goes dark | $150–350 | Every few years or after a big hit |
| A surge with no protection takes out a TV or computer | $500–2,500 in electronics | One strike |
| The same surge kills an HVAC or appliance control board | $300–1,500 per board | One strike |
| A major strike fries multiple systems across the house | $2,000–10,000 all at once | Seconds |
Warning signs
Surge damage is usually invisible until something dies, but a few things flag exposure. An indicator light that has gone dark on a whole-house protector or a power strip means the unit is spent and no longer protecting anything, even though outlets still deliver power. Lights that flicker or dim during storms or when a big motor kicks on, and a pattern of small electronics failing in the days after a storm or utility work, both point to unclamped surges reaching your gear. And the simplest sign of all is a bare service panel with no surge device installed. Storms, grid switching, and nearby lightning are the triggers to plan around.
The prevention math
Layered protection is cheap next to what it guards. Have an electrician install a whole-house surge protector at the panel for $150–350, add $20–50 point-of-use strips on the TV, computer, and other sensitive electronics, and glance at the indicator light now and then. Surge protectors are sacrificial: they wear down absorbing hits, and once the indicator light is out the device is spent and passing surges straight through, so a $150–350 replacement after a major strike is part of the deal. Homes with well pumps, solar, or a lot of electronics gain the most. Timing is in how often to replace a surge protector, how often to replace the whole-house unit, how long one lasts, and what a surge protector is.
Every line in that table starts with a skipped 10-minute task. OnOtto keeps the 10-minute version on your calendar so the $2,000 version never happens.
Get the nudge before the billFrequently asked questions
Does a whole-house surge protector replace power strips?
No, they work as a team. The whole-house unit at the panel stops the large surges from the utility and lightning before they enter the home, but it does not catch everything, and small surges are also generated inside the house by motors and compressors. Point-of-use strips at $20–50 sit right at your sensitive electronics and clamp the leftovers. The recommended setup is both layers: panel protection first, quality strips behind it on the gear you most want to keep.
How long does a surge protector last?
There is no fixed lifespan, because a surge protector wears out by absorbing energy, not by aging on a calendar. A unit in an area with frequent storms or dirty utility power can be spent in a few years, while one in a quiet grid lasts much longer. That is why the indicator light matters: when it goes dark, the protective components are used up and the device is passing surges through. Replace it then, or after any major strike. See how long a surge protector lasts.
What can a power surge actually damage?
Anything with electronics inside, which today is most of the house: TVs, computers, and gaming consoles, but also the control boards in furnaces, air conditioners, ranges, refrigerators, washers, and garage door openers, plus LED lighting and smart-home devices. A single large surge can take out several at once, which is how a $150 protector missing turns into a $2,000–10,000 replacement bill. HVAC and appliance boards are especially costly, $300–1,500 each, and often not worth repairing on an older unit.
Is whole-house surge protection worth it?
For most homes, yes. The math is simple: $150–350 installed against the $2,000–10,000 a serious surge can do to electronics, HVAC boards, and appliances in one event. The value climbs if you have a well pump, a solar system, an EV charger, or a house full of smart devices, and in regions with frequent lightning or unstable utility power. It is one of the higher-return safety upgrades an electrician can do in a single visit. Pair it with point-of-use strips for full coverage.