Lightning Protection System: Prevent Lightning From Damaging Your House

Packing a punch of 300 million volts and 30,000 amps, lightning bolts are nothing to mess around with. When lightning strikes a home or a connected utility like power lines, it can cause fires and damage the building and electrical systems. An effective lightning protection system can deflect that power surge into the ground instead of your home. Here, we discuss lightning protection system parts, pros and cons, costs, and other ways to protect yourself and your home from one of nature’s most powerful forces.

What Is a Lightning Protection System?

Lightning protection systems (LPS) are whole-home systems, including lightning rods, conduction lines, and grounding rods that direct lightning strikes safely into the ground rather than into your home or electrical system. When correctly installed, these systems will protect your family and your home’s wiring from the impacts of direct lightning strikes, such as house fires, electrical system damage, and even electrocution.

If you’re wondering how to prevent lightning strikes on homes, the short answer is that you can’t. However, a working LPS will attract lightning and provide a controlled path for the electricity to follow. While some damage is still possible during lightning strikes, these systems will prevent the worst damage.

What’s Included in a Lightning Protection System?

Lightning protection systems consist of several components that work together to redirect lightning strikes and surges away from the home.

• Air Terminals (Lightning Rods): Air terminals, or lightning rods for houses, are metal rods located at the highest point of a home. They’re made of copper or aluminum, and channel lightning strikes down to conductors. 

• Main Conductors: Air terminals connect to the ground system via main conductors or cables. Lightning follows these conductors to grounding terminals, where it can safely enter the ground.

• Grounds: Grounds, or grounding electrodes or terminals, are long, metal rods buried in the ground. Lightning strikes run down the grounding system into the earth, where they discharge safely. Most homes have at least two grounding electrodes spaced as far apart as possible on opposite corners of the home.

• Bonds: Connections between the metal components in buildings that help form a continuous lightning protection system are called bonds. These prevent side flashes, or electric arcs that happen when lightning moves sideways from a home.

• Surge Arrestors: Surge arrestors divert excess voltage into the ground rather than through the home’s electrical system. Small surge arrestors inside home electrical panels stop surges from power lines. Your power company can also install a large surge arrestor on the transformer that delivers power to your home. Call a local electrician for in-home surge arrestor installation and advice.

• Surge Suppressors: Surge suppressors protect sensitive electronics and appliances from power surges. You can plug these small boxes into individual outlets and connect them to your devices and appliances. Some have a single or double outlet, while others have six or more places to plug in connected devices.

Pros and Cons of a Lightning Protection System

As with any home safety installation, lightning protection systems have pros and cons to weigh before deciding whether they’re right for your home. Here are the top things to consider.

Pros

Here are the top reasons why you should consider upgrading to a home protection system against lightning:

• Home Safety: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 40 million lightning strikes hit the ground annually. A lightning protection system can keep lightning flowing right past your home and into the ground, where it no longer poses a fire or electrical risk.

• Electric System Safety: A single strike or surge from affected power lines can damage or destroy your home’s electrical system, appliances, and plugged-in devices. Home lightning protection systems limit the chances of these problems at the roof level. 

• Insurance Discounts: Lightning strikes create about $1 billion yearly in home insurance claims, so it’s no wonder some insurance companies offer lower premiums for homeowners installing lightning protection systems. Talk with your insurance agent about whether you qualify and the requirements.

Cons

Not every home needs a lightning protection system. Your home’s location and the chances of lightning strikes can help you decide if it’s worth pursuing. Keep these downsides in mind:

• Installation Costs: Lightning protection systems average $1,600, but costs can go higher depending on factors unique to your home and location. While it’s less than the cost of repairing or replacing your home’s electrical system after a strike, it’s still an added expense you may need to plan for.

• Aesthetics: Lightning protection systems need to be prominent on the roof to do their job, so there isn’t a way to hide or disguise them. They’re usually a neat installation of metal rods and wires, but some homeowners find that aesthetic undesirable. Ask your installer if they can give you the addresses of other local homes with installed systems so you can see what they look like.

• Maintenance: Your system can only protect your home if it’s in good working order, so you’ll want to schedule regular inspections and do any needed repairs. Factor the cost of this maintenance into the overall budget for this project.

How Much Does a Lightning Protection System Cost?

Installing a lightning protection system costs between $450 and $2,700. However, the price can go as high as $5,000 or more, depending on materials, labor, your chosen system, and individual factors like location and roof condition.

Materials and labor are the most costly parts of the job, with materials making up 30% to 50% of the cost and labor running between $35 and $50 per hour. So choosing single lightning rods or a simple system and hiring a pro to install it on a simple roof will cost less than installing a complex system on a roof with hard-to-reach areas.

While you may have more installers to choose from in thunderstorm-prone areas like the Southeast and Midwest, prices may also be higher due to demand. Research the costs in your area and the best systems for homes and locations like yours.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro 

Reject the urge to be your own Ben Franklin—installing a lightning protection system is not a DIY job. If the installation isn’t exactly right, the system won’t function correctly, so it may not offer enough protection. The work itself can also be dangerous because it requires affixing lightning rods and lines along the peak of the roof.

Instead, hire a pro who is licensed and experienced with lightning protection methods. Make sure they’re certified by the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL), two premier lightning safety organizations, along with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Additional Ways to Protect Your Home From Lightning 

Whether or not you install a lightning protection system, you can further protect your home from lightning strikes using these helpful tips:

• Stay indoors and away from windows, doors, plumbing fixtures, metal materials, and other spaces and items that can conduct electricity during storms. When you see lightning or hear thunder, go to a central room in your home with no or few windows.

• Don’t shower, bathe, or use plumbing fixtures during electrical storms.

• Unplug electronics and appliances before severe storms to protect them against power surges.

• Buy and install surge protectors or suppressors for sensitive appliances and electronics. You can also install a whole-house surge protector that prevents surges from the electrical panel.

• Choose home components made from materials that resist lightning. Roof flashing and other roof components shouldn’t conduct electricity or should be grounded to prevent electrical shocks and fires.

• Trees taller than your house or 10 feet or closer to your home can attract lightning and conduct it to your house. You can trim trees and equip tall or nearby trees with their own lightning protection system for added safety.

• Always hire licensed professionals to inspect, maintain, and install exterior home lightning protection systems and components, including lightning rods, conduction lines, grounding rods, and surge arrestors. They’ll know which materials and items are safe for exterior home use.