Whole-House Surge Suppressor Is a Bright Idea

Question: I plan to install a whole-house voltage surge suppressor in addition to the plug-in ones. My VCR, microwave, computers, etc., seem to fail too often. Will a whole-house model help? Which are best?

Answer: Installing a whole-house surge suppressor is extremely important in today’s homes. In addition to the items you mentioned, dishwashers, clothes washers, kitchen ranges--practically every electrical device in your home--has delicate electronic components that can be damaged by voltage surges.

These surges are of short duration but can peak to 5,000 volts or higher. Hundreds of these surges enter your home every day through the wiring. They can either burn out an electronic component instantly or, more likely, gradually degrade its performance.

Small plug-in surge suppressors, commonly used on computers, block many small surges, but other appliances in your home are totally unprotected. Adding a whole-house surge suppressor will protect every appliance in your home. You should still use the plug-in type on computers, VCRs, DVD players, TVs, etc.

Voltage surges are often created when motors start and stop. This could be from a freezer motor in a convenience store down the street or any nearby business. Even your own vacuum cleaner and dishwasher motors create surges.

The best whole-house surge suppressors protect your electric items from almost all surges other than a direct lightning strike. Many include a free $10,000 to $25,000 warranty to replace items a voltage surge has damaged. The appliance will be replaced with a new one, not just prorated for its age.

A surge suppressor works by absorbing a voltage spike above a certain level (clamping voltage). The absorbed energy is dissipated safely through a ground wire. If there is an exceptionally powerful voltage surge, the components inside the surge suppressor will burn out to protect your equipment.

There are several whole-house surge suppressor designs: circuit breaker box mounting, beneath the electric meter or built into a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker design has only one ground wire, while the others attach with three wires. Your utility company will often install the beneath-the-electric-meter design.

The performance specifications are more important to a surge suppressor’s effectiveness than its mounting method. The features to compare are clamping voltage (lower is better), maximum surge current (higher is better), total energy dissipated (higher is better) and reaction time (lower is better).

Some whole-house models also include connectors to provide surge protection for TV/modem cable lines. Using a plug-in model with telephone line protection is wise for computer modems.

Visit www.dulley.com to download Update Bulletin No. 760, a buyer’s guide to the 13 best whole-house and plug-in surge suppressor manufacturers listing reaction times, maximum surge, clamping voltage, prices and features.

Operable Fireplace Doors Send Heat Up Chimney

Q: We are remodeling our living room, and I thought of installing a two-sided fireplace with glass doors that open. It will be between the living room and the dining room. Is this an efficient way to heat both rooms?

A: Many of the major fireplace manufacturers offer two-sided fireplaces in gas and wood-burning designs. A model with gas logs and sealed glass covers will probably be your best choice for efficiency.

The efficiency problem with a design with doors that open is that too much indoor air may be lost up the chimney. Even with the doors closed, it is difficult to have them all seal well enough to prevent excess room air loss.

Comparing the Quality of Various Mini-Blinds

Q: I am planning to buy some mini-blinds for privacy and to block heat loss through my windows.

There is a huge price range from name-brand styles to home center lines.

What should I look for when comparing them?

A: Although mini-blinds do not provide much insulation value to block heat loss through a window, they can create an effective dead-air space near the window. They can also block unwanted glare during the summer.

The thickness and rigidity of the individual slats is a good indication of the quality of the mini-blinds.

Also compare the strength of the top section that mounts in the window opening. This is most important in wide windows.

*

Take an online tour of James Dulley’s house and see the products and money-saving improvements that he tests. Visit his Web site at www.dulley.com/house.