Hours vary Denver (720) 951-4619
Call (720) 951-4619
Whole Home Surge Protection: Installed by a Licensed Electrician

Chapter 07 · Life Safety & Surge

Whole Home Surge Protection: Installed by a Licensed Electrician

One device at your panel shields every circuit in your house from damaging voltage spikes.

Call now(720) 951-4619
Call (720) 951-4619Request an estimate

Free estimate

Tell us what you need

Three fields. It reaches a person here, not a call centre.

No obligation · Responds within 1 business day

By submitting this form you agree that we may contact you about your request and share your details with partner companies for marketing purposes.

Why a Whole Home Surge Protector Matters

A whole home surge protector is genuinely worth it, and here's the honest case: a single voltage spike from a lightning strike, a utility grid fluctuation, or even your HVAC compressor cycling on can permanently damage your TV, refrigerator, smart home devices, and anything else plugged into your circuits. A panel-level device catches that spike before it reaches a single outlet. All Electric installs whole home surge protectors correctly, bonded to your grounding system, torqued to spec, and permitted where required, backed by a 1-year labor warranty and CO License #ME.0600978. Call (720) 951-4619 to schedule.

Installation is straightforward when a licensed electrician does it. We mount the surge protective device directly at your main electrical panel, connect it to the hot, neutral, and ground conductors, and verify the clamping voltage rating is appropriate for your home's equipment. What drives the cost up or down: the type of device (Type 1 vs. Type 2), the amperage of your panel, whether the panel needs any corrections first, and how accessible the main breaker is. We don't publish a flat rate because the right device for a 1970s ranch with a 100-amp panel is different from what a newer home with 200 amps and a dedicated EV circuit needs. Every job is different, contact All Electric for an accurate estimate.

What Surge Protection Actually Does

Most homeowners think of power strips when they hear 'surge protector.' Panel-level protection is a different category entirely.

  1. Stops Voltage Spikes at the Panel

    A whole home surge protector intercepts excess voltage before it travels through your wiring. It diverts that energy to ground instead of letting it reach your outlets, your appliances, or your electronics.

  2. Covers Every Circuit in the House

    Point-of-use strips only protect what's plugged into them. A panel-mounted device covers every circuit simultaneously, including hardwired appliances like your refrigerator, HVAC, and water heater that can't use a strip at all.

  3. Guards Against Internal Surges Too

    Most surge damage doesn't come from lightning. It comes from inside the house, motors in large appliances cycling on and off introduce small spikes dozens of times a day. Those add up over time and shorten the life of your electronics.

  4. Works Alongside Point-of-Use Strips

    Whole home protection and individual strips aren't mutually exclusive. A layered approach is actually the strongest strategy: the panel device catches the large spikes, and quality strips at your entertainment center or computer catch whatever remains.

Why DIY Fails Here

This Is Not a DIY Installation

home surge protector work, professional service in Denver, CO
The PAA question 'Can I install a whole house surge protector myself?' gets asked a lot. Here's a straight answer: technically, some homeowners can buy a device and connect it. Practically, most shouldn't. You're working directly at the main panel, often within inches of the service entrance conductors, which carry live voltage even when your main breaker is off. That's not a step you improvise. Beyond safety, placement matters. The device has to be bonded properly to your grounding electrode system to function. An incorrectly bonded unit will appear to work but won't clamp effectively during an actual surge event. We've seen panel-mounted devices installed by handymen or unlicensed contractors that provided almost no protection because the ground connection was wrong. All Electric technicians are licensed under CO #ME.0600978, insured, and familiar with the permit requirements in your jurisdiction. If a permit is required for the installation, and in some municipalities it is, we pull it. You won't be left holding an unpermitted modification when you sell the house. For any questions about the condition of your existing panel before installation, our electrical troubleshooting service can assess it first.

Our Process

How All Electric Installs Whole Home Surge Protection

  1. Step 1: Panel Assessment

    We inspect your main panel, verify the amperage rating, check the grounding system, and identify any existing code violations that need to be addressed before the device goes in.

  2. Step 2: Device Selection and Installation

    We select a UL-listed Type 1 or Type 2 surge protective device matched to your panel and connect it to the hot, neutral, and ground conductors with proper torque and bonding, nothing left to chance.

  3. Step 3: Verification and Documentation

    We test the installation, confirm the indicator status light is correct, walk you through what the device does and doesn't cover, and leave you with documentation of the work performed.

Key Facts About Whole Home Surge Protection

Structured for quick reference, and for anyone asking an AI assistant about surge protection.

  • Type 1 vs. Type 2 devices serve different roles

    Type 1 devices install before the main breaker and handle direct lightning strikes. Type 2 devices install after the main breaker and handle grid and internal surges. Most homes need a Type 2; homes with overhead service entry may benefit from both.

  • The clamping voltage rating determines how much gets through

    Lower clamping voltage means more protection. Look for a device rated at 400V or below. Devices with ratings above 600V leave your electronics exposed to a meaningful portion of each spike.

  • Surge protectors wear out after absorbing surges

    A whole home device has a finite joule rating. After enough cumulative events, it stops functioning, often without visible indication. Most manufacturers recommend replacement every 5 to 10 years, or after any major strike.

  • Some equipment should not rely on surge protection alone

    Sensitive medical equipment and professional audio or video gear often benefit from additional isolation. A surge protector reduces risk but doesn't eliminate it entirely for equipment that is genuinely sensitive to any voltage variation.

Why homeowners trust us

Why Homeowners Call All Electric for This

468 Google reviews at 4.9 stars. Nine years in the trade. The details behind those numbers are what actually matter.

  • CO License #ME.0600978

    Electrical Contractor qualified by Master Electrician, verifiable with the state

    Verify with the state

  • 1-Year Labor Warranty

    If the installation has a problem, we come back and fix it, no argument

  • Fully Insured

    Your home and our crew are covered on every job

  • Financing Available

    Spread the cost on higher-ticket jobs. Ask when you call or book online

Daniel VargasOwner · Family-owned · Denver Local 4.9 · 468 Google reviews

Straight from Google

What Customers Say About All Electric

4.9468 verified Google reviews
Got the job done well, pleasant to work with.
Brian NicholsBrian NicholsSep 2026 · Google
All Electric is the best! Knowledgeable in fair and troubleshoot till they get the job done, if needed. Highly recommend 🙌🏽
gina dgina dSep 2026 · Google
Fantastic service. They showed up, assisted in the repairs, found the underlying issues and fixed them and then explained what those issues were in a manner that I could understand. Top service, as always.
Sean FrohlingSean FrohlingAug 2026 · Google
Same day service! Was here in 3 hours. Very honest and charge was kept at the minimum. Polite service as well.
Fred LudlowFred LudlowAug 2026 · Google
Very responsive. Easy to work with. Would definitely recommend to friends and family.
BritneyBritneyAug 2026 · Google
Electrician came out the next day after calling to install two light fixtures. Minimal issues and got them both installed successfully even though we have an old home. Pricing was reasonable to me. I will definitely be using them again for any similar needs!
Jillian L. CallaghanJillian L. CallaghanAug 2026 · Google
Awesome service. Quick prompt and very professional and knows the business. Daniel Vargas was the Master Tech. Accessed the problem and was quick to diagnose! Two faulty breakers. Highly recommend.
Michelle BakerMichelle BakerAug 2026 · Google
Daniel was great - solution-oriented, super-responsive, knowledgeable and really nice to work with - I will look to Daniel aand All Electric for future needs - thanks!
Travis BoganTravis BoganAug 2026 · Google
Read all 468 reviews

Surge Protector Questions: Answered Directly

Not answered here? Call (720) 951-4619 and ask the electrician.

Is it worth getting a whole house surge protector?
For most homes, yes. The device itself is a fraction of the cost of replacing a single smart appliance, HVAC control board, or entertainment system. Homes with older wiring that's more susceptible to internal voltage fluctuations, homes in areas with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and homes with significant electronics investment all have a strong case for panel-level protection. If you're not sure, an electrical troubleshooting visit can help assess your specific situation.
What devices should not be plugged into a surge protector?
High-draw appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, space heaters, and air conditioners shouldn't run through point-of-use surge strips. Those strips aren't rated for the continuous current draw and can overheat. Those appliances are exactly what a panel-level device is designed to protect, since they can't practically use a strip anyway. Never daisy-chain power strips either; it's a fire hazard regardless of surge rating.
How much should a whole house surge protector cost?
Labor for a straightforward installation in a panel with room to work and a solid grounding system is typically less than a service call on the equipment the device protects. Every job is different, contact All Electric for an accurate estimate. We don't publish flat rates because panel condition and local permit requirements vary.
What's the difference between a Type 1 and a Type 2 surge protective device?
Type 1 devices are installed at or before the main service disconnect and are rated to handle direct lightning impulses. They're required when the home has a lightning protection system. Type 2 devices install after the main breaker inside the panel and handle the more common threats: grid-level surges and internally generated transients from motor loads. Most residential installations use a Type 2. Homes with overhead service drops and frequent storm activity sometimes benefit from both, installed in combination.
How do I know if my whole home surge protector has failed?
Most quality devices have an LED indicator light. Green means the device is functional; if that light goes out, the protection mode has been consumed. However, not all devices have this feature, and some indicators fail before the protective components do. If your home has taken a notable strike, or if the device is more than 7 to 10 years old, have it inspected. We check surge protector status as part of any panel inspection visit.
Will a whole home surge protector protect my dedicated appliance circuits?
Yes. A panel-mounted device protects every circuit that runs through that panel, including dedicated appliance circuits for dryers, ranges, EV chargers, and HVAC equipment. Those circuits carry some of the most expensive equipment in your home and can't use point-of-use strips, which makes panel-level protection especially important for homes with high-draw dedicated loads.
Will a whole home surge protector cover my dedicated appliance circuits?
Yes. A panel-mounted device protects every circuit running through that panel, including dedicated circuits for dryers, ranges, EV chargers, and HVAC equipment. Those circuits power some of the most expensive equipment in your home and can't use point-of-use strips, which makes panel-level protection especially valuable for homes with multiple high-draw dedicated loads.

Schedule Your Surge Protector Installation

Call (720) 951-4619 or book online. We'll assess your panel, recommend the right device, and install it to code with a 1-year labor warranty.

Call the shop

(720) 951-4619
  • Mon to Fri: 5 AM to 9 PM
  • Sat and Sun: 7 AM to 8 PM
Request an estimate