Whole-Home Surge Protection in Seattle-Tacoma
A surge protector at your electrical panel helps guard appliances, heat pumps, EV chargers and electronics. Installed by licensed Washington electricians.
Locally-owned since 1977 • Licensed, bonded and insured in Washington (WA Contractor Reg. #HOMECCA785BD) • WA Electrical Contractor Lic. #HOMECCA782DC • BBB Accredited Business since 2002
Whole-home surge protection, at a glance
A whole-home surge protector is a device our electricians install at or right next to your electrical panel. When voltage spikes, it sends the extra energy to ground before it reaches the circuits in your home. It helps protect appliances, heat pumps, furnaces, EV chargers and electronics. It does not stop a direct lightning strike, so keep plug-in protectors on sensitive electronics too.
An electrical visit is $179, which includes a 30-minute diagnostic, and you get the price for the installation before any work begins. You can book 24/7 by phone or online. Our electricians work Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with same-day service when possible.
WA Electrical Contractor Lic. #HOMECCA782DC. Call (425) 645-0404 or book online.
Is whole-home surge protection right for your home?
It is a good time to add one when:
- You are replacing or upgrading your panel or electrical service (code requires it then)
- You have a heat pump, mini-split, EV charger, smart panel, solar or a standby generator
- Your area loses power in winter storms
- You have appliances with circuit boards, like induction ranges, front-load washers and smart refrigerators
A surge protector is not a fix for flickering lights or breakers that trip. Those need an electrical repair visit.
Is surge protection required by code in Washington?
Yes, when a home's electrical service is new or replaced. Since the 2020 National Electrical Code, section 230.67 requires a Type 1 or Type 2 surge protective device in or right next to the service equipment of every home, including when the service equipment is replaced. The 2023 code adds a 10kA minimum rating. Washington has enforced the 2023 code since April 1, 2024 (L&I), and Seattle's 2023 electrical code took effect November 15, 2024. Adding a surge protector to a panel you are keeping is optional.
Type 1, Type 2 and plug-in surge protectors
| Type | Where it goes | Who installs it | What it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Between the utility and your main breaker, or at the main panel | A licensed electrician | Surges from outside, at the service entrance |
| Type 2 | In or next to the panel, after the main breaker | A licensed electrician | The usual whole-home choice for an existing panel |
| Type 3 (plug-in strips and outlet units) | At the device | You | A second layer for TVs, computers and networking gear |
Code accepts Type 1 or Type 2 for the whole-home device. A basic power strip is not always a surge protector, so check the label for a surge rating. Your electrician recommends a type after looking at your panel.
What a surge protector protects, and what it does not
It helps protect
- The circuits fed by your panel
- Control boards in appliances and heating and cooling equipment
- Hardwired equipment such as heat pumps, EV chargers and well pumps on the panel
It does not stop
- A direct lightning strike
- Every surge made inside the home when motors and appliances switch on and off, which is why plug-in protectors still matter
- Surges on phone, cable and internet lines, which need their own protection
- Long periods of high or low voltage from the utility, which is a call to your utility
Protecting heat pumps, EV chargers, generators and smart panels
Heat pumps, mini-splits, EV chargers and smart panels all run on circuit boards. A variable-speed heat pump uses an inverter board to set its compressor speed, and those boards are sensitive to voltage spikes. Adding a heat pump, an EV charger or a standby generator, or upgrading your panel? Ask us to add surge protection on the same visit, since the electrician is already at your panel.
Storms, outages and surges in Puget Sound
Seattle City Light advises disconnecting computers, sensitive appliances and electronics during an outage to avoid damage from surges, then waiting 15 minutes after power returns and reconnecting them gradually. Tacoma Power also says to turn off and unplug electronics such as computers, TVs and security systems, then turn things back on one at a time. A whole-home surge protector does not replace those steps. See our storm season surge checklist and power outage prep.
What does whole-home surge protection cost?
An electrical visit is $179, which includes a 30-minute diagnostic. Your electrician gives you the price for the installation before any work begins. What changes the price: the device type and rating, space in your panel, any panel or grounding work needed first, and the permit fee.
Right now you get 10% off electrical service or repair. See current offers. Home Comfort Club members pay less; see Comfort Club plans. Payment plans are available through Salal Credit Union and Synchrony, starting at $179/month*. See financing.
*Subject to credit approval.
How surge protector installation works with us
- Book by phone or online, 24/7.
- An electrician looks at your panel, your service and any protection you already have.
- You get the price before any work begins.
- We pull the required permit from your city or L&I.
- We install the device at or next to the panel, label it and check its status light.
- The inspector signs off, and we show you how to read the status light.
Never remove a panel cover yourself.
How long does a surge protector last?
It depends on how many surges it absorbs. Manufacturer guidance puts typical life at about five to ten years. Many devices have a status light that goes out when the protection is used up.
A recent surge protection job in Kenmore
In April 2026 a Kenmore homeowner asked us about protecting their furnace and air conditioner from power surges, and whether one protector at the panel or separate protectors on each system made more sense. While our electrician was on site, the homeowner chose a whole-house surge protector at the panel, which covers both systems and the rest of the circuits in the home.
It is the question we hear most: one device at the panel protects everything the panel feeds, while plug-in protectors still help at TVs and computers.
Where we install whole-home surge protection
Our electricians work from our Redmond, Everett and Bremerton branches and our Sumner headquarters. Local electrician pages: Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Redmond, Everett, Kirkland, Bremerton, Renton, Issaquah, Kenmore, Lynnwood, Monroe, Duvall, Olympia, Gig Harbor, Federal Way, Des Moines, Port Orchard, Silverdale. In most of Washington the permit comes from L&I. Seattle and some other cities issue their own, and so does Tacoma Power in its service area.
Whole-home surge protection FAQ
What does a whole-house surge protector do?
It sits at or right next to your electrical panel and watches the voltage coming into your home. When a spike hits, it sends the extra energy to ground before it reaches your circuits. That helps protect appliances, heating and cooling equipment, EV chargers and electronics.
Does a whole-house surge protector protect against lightning?
Not from a direct strike. No device can stop a lightning bolt that hits your home or service line. It helps with the smaller surges that come in on the power lines, which are far more common. Keep plug-in protectors on sensitive electronics as a second layer.
Is surge protection required by code in Washington?
Yes, when a home's electrical service is new or replaced. Section 230.67 of the National Electrical Code requires a Type 1 or Type 2 surge protective device at the service equipment. Washington has enforced the 2023 code since April 1, 2024, and Seattle's 2023 electrical code took effect November 15, 2024. Adding one to a panel you are keeping is optional.
What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 surge protectors?
A Type 1 device goes between the utility and your main breaker, or at the main panel. A Type 2 device goes in or next to the panel after the main breaker, and it is the usual choice for an existing home. Code accepts either for whole-home protection. Your electrician recommends one after looking at your panel.
Do I still need plug-in surge protectors?
Yes, for TVs, computers and networking gear. Many surges start inside the home when motors and appliances switch on and off, and a plug-in protector catches those at the device. Phone, cable and internet lines also need their own protection. A plain power strip is not always a surge protector, so check the label.
Will a surge protector protect my heat pump?
It helps. Heat pumps and mini-splits use circuit boards that are sensitive to voltage spikes, and a whole-home surge protector stops spikes coming in from the power lines. It cannot stop every surge made inside the home. If you are installing a heat pump, ask us to add surge protection at the same time.
How much does a whole-home surge protector cost?
An electrical visit with us is $179, which includes a 30-minute diagnostic, and you get the price for the installation before any work begins. Your price depends on the device, your panel and the permit.
Do I need a permit to install a whole-house surge protector?
Yes. In Washington, electrical work needs a permit and inspection, with only a few listed exceptions, and a surge protector at the panel is not one of them. We pull the required permit for you. Seattle and some other cities issue their own permits; most other areas go through L&I.
How long does a whole-house surge protector last?
It depends on how many surges it absorbs. Manufacturer guidance puts typical life at about five to ten years. Many devices have a status light that goes out when the protection is used up. Our electrical inspection includes a check of your surge protection.
Can I install a whole-house surge protector myself?
We do not recommend it. The device connects inside your electrical panel, where the main wires stay live even with the main breaker off. Washington lets a homeowner buy a permit for work they do on their own home, but the work still has to pass inspection. A licensed electrician is the safer choice.
When is the best time to add surge protection?
When an electrician is already working at your panel. That includes a panel replacement or service upgrade, where code requires it, and adding an EV charger, heat pump or standby generator. Before winter storm season is also a good time.
Can you install a surge protector the same day?
Often. You can book 24/7 by phone or online. Our electricians work Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with same-day service when possible.
Why Choose Home Comfort Alliance for Surge Protection?
Your Comfort is Our Promise
Reliable heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical service, all from one trusted company.
To educate and guide you through your options so you’ll find the right solution at the right price.
Knowledgeable and respectful workers who ensure both your own comfort during every visit, and lasting comfort from your home systems.
Outstanding service, communication, and follow-up, so your home is comfortable now and for years to come.
Protect your home from surges
Tell us about your panel and the equipment you want protected, and our team will set up a visit with an electrician.
Get an estimate
We will call you to set up the visit.