Expert: Dan Griffin - 2/27/2011

Question
Dan,
We are designing our new home which will be at 4200' in an open mtn range in SE Arizona.Would you install lighting rods with this type of new constructions?
If so any special suggestions?
If not (I.e., some say rods attract lighting) would you suggest just the installation of a whole house surge protector?
Are any of these good? One is $$$ (w/ claim to save power) and one only $:
$$$ - http://bturesearch.com/residential.php?page=single-family
$      -http://wholehousesurgeprotector.org/intermatic-Whole-House-Surge-Protector.html

Answer
Len, I don't know of anyone in my vicinity using lighting rods.  I know they were quite popular in the early days of home electrification as many farm houses had them.  Large metal towers, power lines, etc often have a grounding system to discharge static electricity, I don't believe they are used for lightning protection.

Surge protection is a good thing to do.  Check with your local electric utility, I know ours offered some type of package deal.  I believe the brand name was Watts Dog:
http://www.wattsdog.us/surge_protection.html
Our utiltiy company arranges the installation.


I work for a school district and we have installed this brand on some installations:
http://www.wattstopper.com/


Again, I would seek the input of your utility provider and/or the electrical contractor who does the house.