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If you’ve ever been sitting at home during one of those classic Fort Myers thunderstorms and heard that sharp pop from a wall outlet, you know that uneasy feeling. Maybe the lights flickered, the Wi-Fi went out, or your TV screen went dark for a second. You hold your breath, hoping it’s nothing serious—but sometimes, that quick jolt leaves a real mark.
We’ve seen it more times than we can count. A homeowner calls after a storm, and suddenly the air conditioner won’t start, the pool pump’s fried, or the new fridge stopped cooling overnight. In most of those cases, it’s surge damage. And honestly, it’s almost always preventable.
At CoHarbor Electric, we’re big believers in whole-home surge protection—not because it’s fancy or high-tech, but because it’s reliable. It protects your entire home’s electrical system, saves money in the long run, and gives you peace of mind when those summer storms start rolling through.
Most people think lightning is the only cause, and it’s definitely a major one. Florida is the lightning capital of the U.S., so that’s not surprising. But lightning isn’t the only thing that can send a jolt through your system.
Surges happen every single day, often from inside your home. When your A/C cycles on, or your refrigerator or dryer kicks in, they draw a sudden burst of electricity and send a small ripple through your wiring. Those little surges add up and slowly wear down sensitive electronics like TVs, computers, and smart home devices.
Then there are the external surges—like when:
The utility grid switches or reroutes power.
Storms or car accidents take down power lines.
Old or loose wiring in your panel or outlets causes fluctuations.
Backup generators are wired incorrectly, feeding power back into the system.
A lightning strike doesn’t have to hit your house directly to cause trouble. A strike even a block away can travel through underground or overhead lines straight into your electrical panel.
Think of surge protection like a security system for your home’s wiring. It sits right at your main electrical panel—the entry point for all your power—and keeps watch for voltage spikes. When one hits, the device instantly redirects that excess power safely into the ground instead of letting it race through your outlets.
We often recommend a layered setup: a main surge protector at the panel and smaller plug-in protectors for sensitive electronics. That way, you’re covered from both the big outside surges and the smaller ones that come from everyday appliance use.
Let’s face it—living in Fort Myers is beautiful, but our electrical systems take a beating. Between lightning, humidity, salt air, and the occasional grid hiccup, your wiring gets tested all year long.
Even newer homes aren’t immune. Builders don’t always include surge protection unless you specifically ask for it. We’ve been out to homes that were barely a year old where a single power surge took out an A/C unit or a pool control system.
And those repairs? They’re not cheap. Replacing one appliance or control board often costs more than installing whole-home surge protection for your entire house.
Not sure if your home’s protected? Here are a few things to look out for:
Lights that flicker or dim when major appliances kick on
Breakers that trip for no obvious reason
Outlets that feel warm or show slight scorch marks
Appliances that fail sooner than expected
Power strips plugged in all over the house
A main panel that’s 10+ years old with no surge device installed
Even if you haven’t noticed these signs, don’t assume your system’s fine. Surge damage often builds up quietly, showing itself only when something finally fails.
Installing surge protection is a quick, clean job. We start by inspecting your electrical panel and grounding system, then mount the surge device directly to or beside the panel. From there, we connect it to your main breaker and test everything to make sure it’s operating correctly.
Most installations take about an hour or two. There’s no drywall work or rewiring needed—just a reliable upgrade that’s ready to protect your home the same day.
At CoHarbor Electric, we use high-quality, commercial-rated surge protectors that meet Florida’s electrical code and handle the kind of heavy activity our weather brings. We don’t use cheap plug-ins or quick fixes—we install the same systems we trust in our own homes.
“Will surge protection really help against lightning?”
Yes—against indirect lightning strikes and secondary surges. Nothing can stop a direct hit, but most of the damage we see comes from smaller surges. A properly installed system will stop those cold.
“Can I just use a power strip instead?”
Power strips offer limited protection. They’re fine for small fluctuations, but they can’t handle major surges that travel through your main electrical line. Whole-home protection stops those before they reach your outlets.
“Can I install one myself?”
We wouldn’t recommend it. It involves working directly in your main panel, which carries live voltage even when the breakers are off. A licensed electrician should always handle it.
“How long does it last?”
Typically 5–10 years, depending on how many surges it’s taken. Most units have indicator lights that show whether they’re still providing protection, and we always explain how to check that.
Once it’s installed, there’s not much upkeep. Just check the indicator light occasionally—if it’s off or red, call us to replace the unit. We also check your surge protection during regular electrical inspections, especially before storm season, to make sure everything’s still working the way it should.
In Fort Myers, it’s not really a question of if you’ll experience a power surge—it’s when. With the lightning activity we see and the grid interruptions that come with summer storms, whole-home surge protection is one of the smartest, most affordable upgrades you can make.
If you’re not sure whether your home has protection or you’d like a professional to check your system, we’re happy to help.
⚡ Call CoHarbor Electric today to schedule a whole-home surge protection inspection or installation. We’re your local Fort Myers electricians—licensed, insured, and proud to help homeowners protect what matters most from Florida’s unpredictable power surges.
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At Coharbor Electric, this is what to expect when entrusting us with fixing your electrical issues.
The first step is to get all the information we will need so that we can correctly assess the problem or situation. The photos or videos you send will be sent directly to the electrician.
Once our electrician has the info he needs, we will dispatch one in the next available spot–armed with expertise, equipment, and the parts he’ll most likely need.
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We offer flat rate pricing for service calls, so you always know the price up front. Simple to understand. Flat-rate fixed price so you can be confident you’ll get what paid for.
As a Florida homeowner, you have an endless list of choices for electrical contractors to hire…some great, some good, some bad.
At Coharbor Electric, our benchmark is to be “great”. If you decide to hire us for your electrical service, here’s what you can expect from our electricians:
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