Electric issues at home can be a major issue. In fact, they can end up with over 50,000 fires in residential zones each year.
But what electrical issues should you be keeping a close eye out for?
Let’s go through the most common electrical issues you need to keep an eye out for. Get your questions answered in our ultimate guide about how to become an electrician in California.
1. Constant Power Outages
Power outages once in a while, particularly ones that affect a whole neighborhood, are par for the course.
Electrical lines may come down in incremental weather. Or trees can damage them. If you’re having constant outages that only affect your home, however, there might be a more significant issue going on.
If your lights flicker but don’t go out, pay attention to when it happens. If the flickering always coincides with windy weather, you probably have a problem with your overhead cables.
You’ll need to call your municipality’s power department ASAP and have them take a look at the wires.
Another important point that you also need to keep an eye on are the wire connectors, if you don’t have a quality wire connector that is waterproof and protected against harmful substances to electricity, you run a serious risk of losing your electrical equipment
2. Broken Switches
Do you find that some of your light switches don’t work consistently or even don’t work at all?
If you have just one light switch not working the most common cause is a malfunctioning mechanism. This means, simply, that you’ll have to get that light switch replaced. But, you may also have a loose wire, especially if you see that your lights are flickering.
Check your circuits too. You don’t want to replace your light switch only to find out that the actual problem was a burned-out circuit.
And you need to watch out for more pressing matters when it comes to your light switches. If your light switch feels warm or it’s making weird noises, you might have a fire hazard on your hands. If you can, turn off power to that room ASAP and bring in the professionals. The same is true if you detect an unusual smell coming from your switch – especially if it’s a burning smell.
3. Power Drops
You’re probably familiar with power surges, where the current to your home suddenly spikes (a reason you should definitely be using surge protectors if you aren’t already). But, power surges aren’t the only way that the power to your home can suddenly change.
Power sags are when the voltage to your home suddenly drops more than ten percent but recovers quickly. These can also be referred to as a power dip. These issues can be limited to a particular area, like if your electronics are plugged into a broken or damaged outlet.
They could be a sign that your electronics are using too much power for your electrical system to handle. You’ll need an electrician to come in and evaluate what’s causing your issue. Contact Infinite Electric to get started today.
4. Outlet Issues
Do you have trouble finding a free outlet when you need one? Not having enough outlets is one of the most common home electrical issues. This is more of a structural problem with your home.
You can actually have additional outlets put in and it’s not nearly as expensive as you might think, either. A local electrician will be able to give you a quote.
But you also might be having trouble finding a working outlet. Dead outlets can be a sign of more systemic issues, or they can just be broken outlets.
Call an electrician and have them come fix your broken outlets, so you won’t have to struggle with a ton of different extension cords.
You may have other outlet struggles, too. You may find that your plugs just don’t stay plugged in anymore – or you may have trouble wiggling them back out. Loose outlets can be a sign of loose wires, which means that your outlets need to be replaced to prevent electrical fires.
5. Rising Bills
Costs for everything are rising every day, and that includes your electric bill. But, there are ways you can make your home more energy-efficient, lowering your costs and helping the environment while you’re at it.
Some of these things are adjusting your habits. Always turn out the lights in rooms you’re not using. Turn off electronics you’re not using, and keep them unplugged whenever possible.
You can also upgrade your home. Invest in energy-efficient appliances like washing machines and dryers. Think about adding solar panels to your home. Some places even offer tax incentives for making major changes like this.
Replacing your furnace can help reduce your electric bill, especially in the winter. You may also want to add extra insulation to your home so that your heating costs go down and you don’t have to rely on additional electric heaters.
6. Wrong Bulbs
Some people buy lightbulbs without considering the wattage, but that can have major consequences. Using the wrong wattage lightbulbs can cause overlamping.
The lightbulb could melt, damaging the socket. This could even cause the wires to spark and spread to other wires, which can cause electrical fires. Always check the lightbulbs you’re purchasing. If you’re not sure what the wattage for your outlets is, take a look at them.
Any fixture installed since the 1980s is required to have its maximum voltage listed on them. If you have an older home, stick to light bulbs with a voltage of less than 60.
Common Electrical Issues: Now You Know
While these are the most common electrical issues, there are still so many more that might cause you problems.
Need more home maintenance advice? Scroll through a few of our other posts today for all the help you need.
