If you live in a storm-prone area, you might have wondered how much a lightning protection system costs. Explore a comprehensive breakdown here.
6 Questions to Ask About Installing Lightning Protection
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Taller homes face higher lightning strike risk because lightning has less distance to travel, making the cost to install a lightning rod worth considering for protection.
Expect to pay $1,550 on average for lightning protection system installation, with your final cost depending on system type, home size, and local labor rates.
Your property's surroundings affect lightning risk, as nearby tall buildings or many trees can attract strikes before they reach your home, reducing your exposure.
Hiring a local electrical professional provides expert guidance on choosing between rod-style and ESE systems, ensuring proper installation that shields your home from lightning damage.
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Lightning can strike at any time, but some homes are more at risk of getting hit than others. Installing a lightning protection system won't keep lightning away, but it will minimize any damage. When talking to a local electrician, be ready for these common lightning protection questions.
1. What's your home's size?
The taller your home, or the more stories it has, the less distance lightning has to travel to hit it, meaning the more at risk it is of being struck. An electrician will also want to know your home's square footage, so they can design a lightning protection system that thoroughly shields your home.
2. What's around your property?
The more isolated your home is, the more at-risk it is for being hit by lightning. If taller buildings are nearby or there are plenty of trees on your property, lightning may hit them before it gets to your house. If you have just a few trees around your home, you may want to consider installing a protection system on them to reduce any damage should the trees get struck by lightning.
3. What type of lightning protection system is right for you?
Two types of lightning protection systems exist: rod-style systems (invented by Benjamin Franklin) and Early Streamer Emission (ESE) Air Terminals, which produce a stream of ions into the air and are typically used on larger buildings. The system that's right for your home will depend on its size and several other factors, which an electrician will review with you.
4. What is your budget for the project?
Be ready to discuss your budget for the project with the electrician. The average cost to install a lightning protection system is $1,550. The type of system, the size of your home, and local labor costs will all affect the final price tag. ESE systems are usually more expensive than Franklin-style lightning rods. However, your home most likely won't need the more expensive type of lightning protection system unless your area is prone to bad storms.
5. When do you need this work done?
Ideally, you'll have your new lightning protection system installed before storm season starts in your area. Give the electrician an idea of your timeline so they can confirm if it works with their current schedule and workload. Since lightning protection systems are preventative, it's unlikely you'll need to have a new system installed in an emergency situation. If you're upgrading or replacing an older system, you may want to have it fixed as soon as possible.
6. What else can you do to protect your home from lightning?
You may be weighing the pros and cons of installing a lightning rod, but your home may not need one. There are other steps that can help protect your home from excess electrical charges. For example, installing a surge protection system can be a good idea if you'd like to protect your electronics from nearby lightning strikes or other power issues during a storm.
Electrical services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.7★ avg. • 107 total reviews
- Jeff B.
Great company! Price was competitive, technician showed up on time and completed the job (exterior electric Radon fan replacement) quickly. Would hire them again.
MaGen Property Inspections and Radon Mitigation - Regina H.
I conferred with 2 other contractors before Armstrong Electric. Nick and his crew showed me that the project was not as convoluted as the other contractors made it appear to be. They completed the entire project on time. They were professional, friendly and cleaned up after at completion. I...
Armstrong Electric LLC - Jeffrey J.
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Mr. Electric of Columbus - William R.
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Hubbs Heating & Air LLC - Jerald W.
They were excellent. They did a great job. I was totally satisfied. They put tremendous effort in making sure the work was completed. They were great. They provided immediate response to any inquires I made. I would hire them again. I would recommend them to anyone who needs electrical work....
Property-Tech Industries, LLC - Paul H.
Initially, the repairman could not find the problem. Apparently, there was some electrical shortage, but he could not find the definite problem. He left, but called back later to say he had a new idea. He returned and replaced the light switches on the doors. The refrigerator seemed to return...
Appliance Pro LLC - Sarah C.
The initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
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Waibel Electric - Bradley H.
When I challenged the markup on the generator, Bruder Electric withdrew its bid. They only want naïve customers.
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We had no power to any of the electrical outlets in the MBR. We'd had an intermittent problem for a few years and they finally went out all together. We live on the 3rd floor of a 100 year old building and I know from past experience the wiring has been added to in hodgepodge ways over the...
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