When it comes to home electrical components, safety really should be your number one priority. It is very important to investigate signs of electrical problems such as flickering lights, higher than average energy bills, damaged appliances or strange noises when you flip a switch.
Paying attention to these signs can save you a lot of money on expensive electrical goods such as a fridge, dishwasher or computer that might get damaged if there is a problem in your home’s current. More importantly, getting these issues solved can prevent devastating house fires and even the loss of lives.
The older your home is, the more likely you are of experiencing electrical problems. The electrical components of older homes do get worn out as time passes and lots of external elements such as rodent infestations could have resulted in a problem over the years. If you want to stay safe and protect your belongings then it is important to look out for these five common electrical problems in your home.
Circuit Breaker Issues
Your home circuit breaker is the control centre that manages electricity throughout the house. Circuit breakers are designed to trip out if something goes wrong so people, children, and pets will be protected from electrification and so your home will be protected in case of a fire.
It is important to start paying attention if your circuit breaker frequently trips out. Circuit breakers mostly trip when the circuit is overloaded. This means you might be using a high-wattage appliance like a hairdryer on an already loaded circuit.
Avoid daisy-chain power boards, remove devices that are not in use, spread your electrical needs throughout the house and be mindful of how you connect devices. If the problem persists then you should get an electrician to investigate.
Light Bulbs Keep Burning Out
If you feel like you are switching light bulbs too often then there might be a problem, especially if you are already using those expensive energy-saving bulbs. Light bulbs tend to burn out prematurely if the wattage is too high, if the insulation is too close to the light, due to bad wiring on the circuit or mains or when a dimmer switch isn’t wired correctly.
If you also experience flickering then there might be a poor connection to the power source. In any of these cases, it is probably best to get the help of a professional electrician. Considering the price of energy-saving bulbs, you will be saving lots of money in the long run by getting the problem solved professionally.
Light Switches Are Not Working Properly
If you find switches are not activating anything or need to be flicked on and off before something happens there might be a problem with the circuit outlet or wiring. You should be especially careful if you hear strange electrical noises when flicking on a switch. These issues can be solved by a professional electrician relatively easily.
You Experience Electrical Shocks
No one likes these types of shocking experiences, even if the shocks are relatively mild. If you experience an electrical shock when turning devices on or off then there could be a problem with the appliance or there could be an issue with the wiring.
Before you call your electrician you can do a simple DIY test. Plug the device into another plug to see if the problem persists. This is a good test to see if the device is defective but you could risk getting shocked again. If you want to avoid shocks entirely then simply get the help of a professional beforehand.
High Electrical Bills
If your bills are spiralling out of control then you could adopt a few lifestyle changes. Switch off lights as you go about the house, avoid using high-wattage appliances and unplug appliances that are not in use. If the problem persists there could be a patching leak in your home and it is probably best to hire a professional.
Electrical problems are not to be messed with. It is always best to call the help of a professional like Melbourne Emergency Electricians to get these problems solved professionally while eliminating the risk of getting injured or of getting property damage.