We inspect before we quote
No phone-estimate guessing – we look at the actual panel and wiring first.
A power strip surge protector isn't the same thing
A plug-in power strip with surge protection covers whatever's plugged into it – and only that. A whole-home surge protective device (SPD) installs at the panel and protects everything downstream: appliances, HVAC equipment, and anything hardwired that a power strip can't reach. The two aren't a substitute for each other; a whole-home SPD handles the big utility-side surges, and point-of-use strips still make sense for sensitive electronics.
Why surge protection matters in Ottawa specifically
Storm-related grid damage isn't rare here – the May 2022 derecho damaged more than 400 Hydro Ottawa poles and knocked out power to roughly 180,000 customers. Power surges often happen exactly when the grid is under this kind of stress: during storm damage, during restoration switching, and when service is reconnected after an outage. A whole-home SPD is specifically built to absorb that kind of event before it reaches your appliances and wiring.
What gets protected
Modern homes have a lot riding on clean power: furnaces and HVAC control boards, appliances with electronic controls, home electronics, and increasingly EV chargers and generator transfer switches. A single bad surge can take out several of these at once – a whole-home SPD is a relatively small cost against that risk.
Why choose us for surge protection installation
Inspection first, then a written quote
We look at the actual panel and wiring before quoting, not a phone-estimate guess – and every price is written down before work starts, no surprise line items.
ESA-notified work
We handle Electrical Safety Authority notification as part of the job when it's required.
Residential & commercial
Homes, offices, retail, and light-industrial space across Ottawa.
What to expect
Written quote, no surprises
The price is confirmed before work starts.
ESA-notified work
Handled as part of the job when it's required.
Cleaned up when we're done
We leave the site the way we found it.
Surge Protection FAQs
Do I still need power strips if I have whole-home protection?
Many people keep them for extra-sensitive electronics, but the whole-home unit handles the larger utility-side surges a power strip can't.
How long does a surge protector installation take?
A whole-home SPD install at an existing panel is usually a short job, often done in an hour or two.
Does surge protection prevent outages?
No – it protects your equipment from surges, not from the outage itself. A generator addresses the outage; surge protection addresses what a surge can damage.
Does a surge protector need ESA notification like other panel work?
Yes, work at the panel generally requires ESA notification – we handle that as part of the install.