Depending on where you live, the homes in your neighbourhood could be less than ten years old or older than 100. This leads to a variety of factors to consider when it comes to updating your electrical system.
Depending on the age of your home, you may want to consider taking this step sooner rather than later. A much older home will likely have a simplistic system. When you think about how drastically our electrical demands have increased in just the past ten years, it is easy to see why your system may need some sprucing up.
What Should I Look for?
When it comes to determining if your electrical system needs updating, there are a few key elements in your home to pay attention to. These include:
Power strips, extension cords, and your outlets. If you look around your home or office and realize you have a jumble of power strips or extension cords, this is a good sign that your need outweighs what your current system can supply. It’s easy to overload these systems. It can also lead to potentially hazardous situations if you use power strips and electrical cords together. It’s essentially a messy solution to what really needs to be done.
Lights dimming or flickering. While not as obvious as completely blowing a circuit, your lights or appliances dimming can be a sign of too much power being used. For example, if your kitchen lights dim when you turn on the microwave, this can be a sign that your kitchen circuit is no longer up to the task of powering so many different appliances at once. If you notice lights flickering, pay attention to if it is one light or multiple. You could simply have bad wiring in one spot, or it could be a sign of a larger electrical issue.
Circuit Breakers. When a circuit breaker blows, it can be one of the most common and most obvious signs that your electrical system needs updating. For example, if you find yourself losing power to your bathroom every time you turn on your blow dryer, this is a clear indication that the individual circuit is no longer up to the task. That circuit could be replaced with one of a greater capacity, but only if the wiring can support that increase in power. If you are in an older home, this is an update that you will likely face to bring your system up to speed with the needs of the modern world. You’ll want an experienced professional to help determine what steps need to be taken.
Your Next Steps
If you are tired of dealing with power cords, flickering lights, or even the dreaded tripping of your circuit breaker, it may be time to call in backup. A qualified electrician or contractor will be able to come in and assess the real needs of your home. This could be a simple fix or a more detailed overhaul of your electrical system. They will also understand all the safety protocols that need to be in place. Faulty electrical work can lead to numerous dangers in your home. It is best to do it the right way first and trust a professional, call Fox today!
Why Work with Fox Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical
Fox Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical takes great pride in being a name that Vernon and surrounding communities can depend on. Over the more than 20 years we’ve been in business, we’ve been able to solve all manner of plumbing, HVAC and electrical issues, so there’s no job too difficult for us!