Is a whole-house surge protector worth it?

Verdict: YES — Yes — $300 install protects $10,000+ in electronics and HVAC controls. Pays for itself with one strike.

Cost & payback at a glance

Typical cost range$200–$600
Estimated annual benefitNon-financial (comfort / safety / resale)
Systemelectrical
Scenariogeneral

How HomeScore decides

HomeScore evaluates "is it worth it?" decisions across 40+ home systems using 2026 cost data, regional installer rates, lifespan modeling, and resale ROI. Every verdict on this page is anchored to the underlying replacement cost, annual operating savings, and the scenario you're in: general homeowner, in-2026 pricing, resale-driven, forever-home, or pre-1980 retrofit.

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