Common Electrical Problems in the Winter

When maintaining your home, one of the main areas to monitor is its electrical system. Noticing issues before they become a problem can help prevent costly repairs and uncomfortable conditions. Often accompanied by cold and precipitous conditions, there are several common electrical issues that can occur during the winter. Learn about common electrical problems and prepare your home in advance for the winter months.

Tripping a Breaker

Filled with holidays, winter is a demanding time for electricity. Heating systems, holiday decorations, portable heaters, etc. put a significant strain on your home’s electrical system. Breaker trips and simple electrical issues, such as flickering lights, are common occurrences during winter.

To avoid irritating issues, such as a tripped breaker or burned out panel, you may want to consider a heavy up. Increasing the electrical power of your home’s electrical circuit, a heavy up allows you to accommodate state-of-the-art appliances, home theater systems, and variety of other advanced technologies. Upgrade your home’s electrical system and experience the advantages of having a stronger current of electricity.

Power Outages

Often accompanied by snow, rain, and storms, winter can bring disastrous weather conditions. An unprotected or under-protected home is more vulnerable to weather-related power outages during winter. Thoroughly checking your home’s electrical system will help determine if your home is winter-ready. Providing back-up power, a generator may also be installed for use when a power outage is unavoidable.

Old Equipment

Outdated equipment can wreak havoc on an electrical system during the winter season. Dated space heaters, electric blankets, etc. are often incompatible with modern homes. Potentially causing an electrical fire, any older equipment or appliances present in your home must be checked regularly. Often used as a general guideline, if a heating appliance is older than five years it is outdated and may need to be replaced.

Static Electricity

Due to lack of humidity, static electricity is prevalent during the winter. A charge imbalance in dry materials, static resulting from dry winter air can be dangerous in certain conditions. If a damaged or unmonitored electrical current or flammable substance is nearby, static electricity can result in powerful shocks. An easy and cost-effective way to prevent static electricity, a humidifier is a popular appliance for use in drier areas of a home.

Space Heaters

Heavily used during winter, space heaters cause a large amount of house fires. Requiring a significant amount of electricity, space heaters are rarely energy efficient. Useful when trying to beat the cold, space heaters must be plugged into a dedicated outlet and they should be unplugged when not in use. If used correctly, space heaters can keep your home warm without overconsuming power or overheating.

Often accompanied by cold and precipitous weather, winter is a rough season for homes. Powering various heaters, appliances, etc., a home’s electrical system must be properly equipped for winter. Preparing for static electricity, tripped breakers, and a variety of other common electrical problems, a home’s electrical system might need upgrading or repair depending on its age and condition. Maintain a comfortable home throughout the winter season by avoiding common electrical issues.