Ever notice when your lights are flickering at home? It’s common, except that sometimes, it is more than just a minor nuisance. Those flickering lights could be trying to tell you something important about your electrical system. Maybe it’s an early sign of larger issues with your wiring or electrical system?
Here’s what might be going on and why it’s wise to tackle this sooner rather than later to rule out the risk of electrical fires or system malfunctions.
How Severe Or Intense Your Lights Are Flickering
Before jumping to conclusions, take a moment to watch your home lights (how often and how strongly your lights flicker). Do they flicker just a bit when you turn on the large appliance, such as AC, or open the fridge? This is often a sign of a temporary power drain; no big deal!
However, if the flickering is more frequent or severe, it may signal a deeper problem.
It is common for your lights to occasionally flicker when using your appliances. However, if your lights flicker continuously or at a certain intensity, it’s a cause for concern. This could indicate a wiring problem, a voltage issue, or something affecting the overall electrical system in your home. And it requires attention from the pros.
Why Your Lights Are Flickering
So, what’s causing all this flickering? You may be dealing with a few culprits:
1. Overloaded Circuit
One of the most common causes of flickering lights, especially in older homes, is overloaded circuits. When you connect too many devices or appliances to one circuit, the lights may dim or flicker as the poor circuit struggles to power everything at once.
You can see this more clearly when turning on high-energy appliances. In such cases, the best solution is to redistribute your gadgets across circuits or upgrade your electrical system.
2. Issues with Your Electrical Service
In some instances, flickering lights may come from issues outside your home. It could be something wonky with the power company instead of your wiring.
Many homes share a transformer with other properties in the neighborhood. When demand is high, particularly during peak hours, you might notice a dip in voltage, making your lights flicker.
3. Voltage That Is All Over the Place
Ideally, your home should be getting a steady 120 volts of electricity. Lights may flicker if the voltage fluctuates beyond 125 volts, and other appliances can suffer damage.
Keep an eye out for these fluctuations, and if you notice consistent spikes, ask an electrician to check it.
4. Loose Wires or Old Connections
Loose wiring or outdated electrical components can cause flickering. Whether it’s a loose connection in an outlet, a faulty light switch, or a problem in the electrical panel, you should take care of these issues quickly.
They’re not just annoying flickering but also a fire hazard.
5. Problems with your main connection
If your whole house is flickering like a disco party, the problem might be with the main electrical connection that supplies power to your home.
This type of issue needs your immediate attention. Needless to say, it can create huge damage to your electrical service and be really dangerous.
6. Mismatched bulbs and fixtures
Sometimes, the issue is as simple as mismatched components. For example, if you use LED bulbs with an old dimmer switch meant for incandescent bulbs, this can cause flickering.
A simple fix here is checking that your bulbs and fixtures are compatible.
7. Faulty Switches or Appliances
Worn-out or damaged switches can mess with your power flow and make your lights dance. Similarly, appliances with faulty wiring or internal issues create electrical instability, impacting the lights in your home.
The best bet in this case is to replace faulty switches and fix or change problematic appliances to resolve the flickering.
When Your Lights Are Flickering Throughout the House
If your lights flicker throughout the entire house rather than in one room, this is a sign of a more significant issue. This can very well be a faulty wiring, a loose connection, or problems with your electrical panel, which can affect the whole system.
Or, this can be due to external factors. For example, damage to the power supply during severe weather can also lead to widespread flickering.
But for issues that affect your entire home, you should call the techs. Our Service Minds Mister Sparky is ready to take action and repair any circuit-related matters when you need us. We’ll thoroughly inspect your wiring, electrical panel, and connections to find out the root cause. You just need to relax while we take care of the rest.
Electric Company Issues
Sometimes, the issue is outside your home, such as a problem with the electric company’s equipment. Faulty transformers, overloaded grids, or general maintenance could result in flickering lights across an entire neighborhood. If your neighbors are in the same situation, the problem might be with the utility company.
In these cases, your best bet is to contact your electricity provider. Report the flickering so they can check their equipment and make necessary repairs. If the problem is not with your power company, then you should call a professional electrician.
Electrical Safety When Your Lights Are Flickering
Flickering lights should never be ignored. They aren’t just annoying; they can be downright dangerous. Keep an eye on loose wiring, overloaded circuits, and faulty connections as they are all fire hazards.
Since electrical issues are one of the leading causes of house fires, if you see your lights flickering, address it right away to prevent such disasters.
We can’t stress enough that a qualified electrician can find out the root cause of flickering lights and fix it before it balloons. And Service Minds Mister Sparky in Orlando, FL, is here for that. We can handle inspections and complex repairs, getting your electrical system in tip-top shape.
Addressing Your Flickering Lights With Mister Sparky
If your lights are flickering, this can be a cautionary tale of a bigger issue in your home electrical system. So what should you do? Don’t ignore them! If you’re in the Orlando area, give us a call at Service Minds Mister Sparky a shout. We know our stuff pretty well and can figure out what’s going on before it turns into a bigger headache.
Service Minds Mister Sparky in Orlando, FL, is ready to help with all your electrical needs. Our team of expert electricians can quickly spot and repair any issue, whether you need a simple switch replacement or a full electrical system upgrade. No one wants to deal with fried appliances or, worse, an electrical fire. So keep an eye on those lights. And if they start acting up, don’t hesitate to call us.
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