It’s easy to take for granted how far electricity has come. Back in the mid-1980s—just 35 years ago—the average fridge used nearly five times as much electricity as a modern one, meaning 1700 kWh per year compared to the modern 350 kWh.
Of course, advancements like these mean little if your outdated wiring makes for constant electrical problems!
Most homeowners have to deal with common issues that affect their power efficiency, so you’re far from alone. Here are some of the most common (and frustrating) electrical problems homeowners experience today.
1. Flickering Lights
More often than not, flickering lights are a sign of a power surge. If your neighbors say they’ve experienced the same thing, it’s an issue with your local grid—but if the problem seems limited to your own house, it’s something caused by your home’s wiring.
Some surges happen when home appliances require more power than your electrical system offers. Others happen with older properties whose outdated wiring causes various home electrical issues, with flickering just one of many. No matter the cause, hiring an electrician can help you figure out the root of your problem.
2. Dips in Power
Does the power seem to dip in your home at certain times? If you’ve noticed this problem, there may be multiple potential causes.
If the device or appliance you’ve plugged in is of poor quality, you may notice that it doesn’t seem to power up as intended. Alternatively, if the dip in power happens across devices or appliances, you may need to renew outdated wiring. This often requires expert electricians, so contact professionals like the team at Clements Electric for help.
3. Tripping Circuit Breakers
If you have high-wattage appliances like microwaves and washing machines, you may experience home electrical problems when you’re using these devices. This kind of problem can be especially frustrating if you’re trying to run multiple power-guzzling appliances at the same time.
When possible, you may need to try using your appliances on a low-power setting, or limit your use of electricity-hogging appliances to just one at a time.
4. A High Power Bill
By itself, a high electricity bill isn’t always a cause for concern. Larger households with more members tend to use more power, so check your costs against the local and national average to see where you stand.
However, if you’ve noticed a sudden spike, it might be the cause of a malfunctioning electrical device or faulty home wiring. Hire an electrician to help you find the issue and reduce your bills.
5. Issues With Your Lightbulbs
Sometimes, the only sign of electrical issues comes from the most common tool you use: the light bulb.
If you’ve noticed that your lightbulbs seem to be burning out faster than normal, you may have bad wiring on the circuit or on the mains. With dimmer switches, you may have further wattage issues.
On the other hand, if you’ve noticed that your lights seem too bright or too dim—and the bulb’s wattage isn’t the cause—it may be a bad neutral connection.
No matter the cause, it’s important to work with an expert to decide on your next steps.
Get Help With Your Common Electrical Problems
If you want to bring your finicky electrical grid out of the dark ages and take advantage of advancements in modern power, it’s time to call for help. Partnering with an electrician means you’ll have an expert to guide you through annoying electrical problems, so consider contacting one today for the help you need.
Want more quick tips to help you make the most of your home? Check out our other posts for additional insights.
