As the weather gets colder, we begin to spend more time indoors with the heat cranked and electrical appliances using more power. It is important that you check in on your electrical appliances for your own and your family’s safety.
To maintain your home, one of the key areas to focus on is its electrical system. Noticing issues before they become a problem can help prevent costly repairs and uncomfortable conditions. Prepare for these winter months by learning about common electrical problems in winter.
Tripping a Breaker
It’s not uncommon to increase the use of your heating system, implement portable heaters around the house, and turn more lights on during the winter months. With that being said, winter becomes a demanding time for electricity. This could put a significant strain on your home’s electrical system. Be aware of flickering lights or breaker trips.
If this seems to be taking a toll on your home, you might want to consider upgrading your home’s electrical system to something with more power. This will result in your breaker’s electrical power increasing, allowing your home’s electrical circuit to accommodate state-of-the-art appliances. By upgrading your home’s electrical system, you will experience the advantages of having a stronger current of electricity.
Power Outages
Winter is notorious for bringing in harsh weather and disastrous conditions. Don’t let your home be unprotected and vulnerable. To avoid this, do a thorough check of your home’s electrical system and make sure you are prepared for winter. Consider purchasing a generator for installment in case there is a power outage. With intense winds and harsh winter weather, a power outage is unavoidable, but a generator will help you to remain comfortable.
Old Equipment
If you are using outdated equipment, this could be a potential safety hazard. Outdated equipment can wreak havoc on your electrical system, as they are often incompatible. In order to avoid electrical fires, checking your outdated equipment is the first step to take precautions. As a safety protocol, check on all electrical appliances present in your home regularly. For general guidance, if a heating appliance is older than five years, it is outdated and may need to be replaced.
Static Electricity
With cold temperatures and dry air during the winter, there can be a lack of humidity. From this lack of humidity, static electricity is prevalent. This static resulting from dry winter air can be dangerous in certain conditions. When static is mixed with damaged or unmonitored electrical currents or flammable substances, it can result in a powerful shock. Purchasing a humidifier or two is an easy and cost-effective way to prevent static electricity in drier areas of your home.
Space Heaters
While space heaters are a great way to keep rooms warm and toasty, they, unfortunately, cause a large number of house fires. Space heaters require a significant amount of electricity, making them rarely energy efficient. Oftentimes, you may think it is beneficial to keep your space heater constantly running throughout the day, even when you are not in the room. However, this should not be the case. While they are extremely useful when trying to beat the cold, they should be unplugged when they are not in use. When used correctly, space heaters are a great way to keep your home warm without overconsuming power or overheating.
To avoid space heater dangers, remember that the space heater belongs on the floor. It may be tempting to put it higher so it blows in your face, or on a shelf, stool, or workbench, but do not do this. While these situations may appear safe, they actually increase the risk of the heater falling, tipping over, or otherwise overheating, which could start a fire. The best stop to put this is on the flattest surface available, most often, on the floor.
Keep it away from water and anything that is flammable. Never leave the heater alone and make sure it is plugged into a wall outlet. Plugging your space heater into a surge protector, extension cords, plug timers, or G.F.C.I outlets adds layers of electrical connection that could overload the circuit or create additional resistance that allows heat to build up potential causing a fire or internal electrical damage.
Keep Your Home Safe
Winter weather can be unpredictable, resulting in stress on your home’s electrical system. However, taking the proper safety precautions can save you a lot of potential damage when it comes to your home’s electrical system. At Electrical Plus our trained technicians are all licensed and have the skills and education to handle every job with expertise and professionalism.