Cold temperatures and winter storms can affect your home’s electrical system due to the increased use of heaters and other electrical equipment. During wintertime, it’s important to be familiar with some common electrical problems that might occur and take steps to prevent them. Keep the following electrical problems in mind this season.
Tripped Breakers
Holiday lights and other decorations, heating equipment, and other electrical items can lead to tripped breakers during winter. When this happens, it means there’s too much power flowing through a circuit in your home. Upgrading your home’s electrical circuits can help you avoid tripping a breaker frequently.
Loss of Power
Power outages can be common in winter due to storms or freezing conditions. Making sure your electrical system is in good condition with an electrical inspection can help you avoid having to deal with frequent outages. You might also consider looking into having a generator set up for your home to provide you with backup power.
Outdated Electrical Equipment
Older electrical equipment can significantly increase the risk of a fire in your home. Items such as electric blankets, for example, shouldn’t be used if they’re outdated. In some cases, older equipment isn’t compatible with a more up-to-date electrical system overall. Check old equipment on a regular basis, and toss items that are too old to use safely.
Static Electricity
Static electricity can be a nuisance or a potential danger in your home during winter. This effect happens as the air inside your home becomes drier, especially when you’re running your heating system. Static electricity can deliver a small shock in most cases, but it can lead to much stronger shocks under certain conditions. Making sure the humidity level in your home is high enough helps prevent static electricity from occurring while also providing you with a more comfortable environment in general. Humidifiers can raise the humidity level in your home so that static electricity won’t put you in danger of severe electrical shocks.
Use of Space Heaters
When you’re having trouble with cold spots in your home or when you’re looking for extra heat, they might tempt you to set up a space heater. While these heaters can provide warmth in a small part of your home, they’re a big fire risk. Space heaters have to be properly used-, including being unplugged when you’re not using them, in order to lower the risk of fires. These heaters can easily start fires when they’re put too close to curtains or other flammable items. Consider findings ways to boost your heating system’s efficiency rather than using space heaters if possible. Keep in mind that we should use space heaters in dedicated outlets only.
If you’re having electrical problems or if you need installations or inspections done, contact DK Electrical Solutions. We’ve been providing homeowners in the Southampton area with high-quality electrical services since 2011, including fire damage repairs, electrical appliance repairs, electrical code updates, and more. Our team of experienced electricians can help you with all of your residential electrical needs.
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