- Oct 11, 2021
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The cost of computers and other sensitive electronics like tablets, game consoles, and flat-screen televisions has dropped in recent years. The price declined, but their use increased compared to yesteryear when more businesses than homes had operating systems and WiFi capability. Nearly three-quarters of American adults owned a desktop or laptop computer in 2019,1 and 121 million households in the U.S. have at least one operable television,2 compared to only a little more than 53 million television sets in American homes in 1960.3
Televisions have come a long way from the bulky tubed versions your grandparents watched to today’s sleek, flat-screen versions. Depending on size and capability, a sleeker, smart tv could cost thousands of dollars.
Game consoles, tablets, streaming, and smart home devices continue to gain popularity with consumers. Ninety-four percent of people in the United States own one.4 Nearly 40% own game consoles, and 34.9% own streaming stick devices.4 Americans are breathing technology, but how is tech faring in terms of longevity?
While electronic gadgets have become more affordable, their life-expectancy is iffy. Most desk top computers last between five and eight years, depending on maintenance and software upgrades.6 The life expectancy of a lap top computer is even less, surviving on average between three to five years.7 On average, a smartphone lasts nearly five years.8
Your personal tech devices will eventually need replacing. Even though televisions, laptops, and other sensitive electronics are more affordable, replacing them is still costly, especially if they all wear out or breakdown at the same time, which could happen. A power surge can destroy multiple devices in a blink of an eye. Power surges are created by wayward lightning strikes that enter your home through its wiring. If one or all devices are connected to phone or cable lines or plugged into wall outlets, a charging station, or even a plug-in surge protector, the power surge can create hundreds of dollars in damages.
The Electronics Surge ProtectionSM program by FPL Home provides up to $5000 of annual coverage to help pay the cost to repair or replace covered electronics that are damaged by a power surge. Covered electronics include televisions, computers, home theaters, game consoles, tablets, and more.
A power surge can shorten the lifespan of electric devices, but with Electronics Surge Protection, you’re have coverage. The affordable price for the Electronics Surge Protection program is added to the monthly Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) bill for the customer’s convenience.
For more information call 833-437-5466.
FPL Home, is an unregulated subsidiary of Florida Power & Light Company (FPL). The Electronics Surge Protection program is offered and administered by FPL Home, and not FPL, and is provided by United Service Protection, Inc.
1 https://www.statista.com/statistics/756054/united-states-adults-desktop-laptop-ownership/
3 https://hypertextbook.com/facts/2007/TamaraTamazashvili.sh
4 https://www.oberlo.com/statistics/most-popular-devices
5 https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/65-when-to-replace-the-company-computers.html
6 https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/65-when-to-replace-the-company-computers.html
7 https://computercare.net/2019/12/your-phones-lifespan-is-five-years-heres-how-to-keep-it-going/
