Strange things happen in haunted houses … there are mysterious noises and unexplained smells … the lights flicker and go out! No, don’t worry, your problems are not being caused by ghosts. You’re just experiencing common signs that there are electrical issues in your home. What should you watch for? How can it be fixed? We’ve got the answers.
Lighting Problems
Sometimes, electrical issues can cause lights to flicker or dim. They can also cause a fixture to go through a lot of bulbs—that is, the lightbulbs you put in burn out much faster than they should. But how long is a lightbulb supposed to last?
A compact fluorescent bulb can light up for 10,000–15,000 hours, ten times as long as an old incandescent. LED bulbs can last 50,000 or more! If the light is on ten hours a day, every day, it could be fourteen years before you should have to change it. But problems with your electrical panel, your wiring, or the fixture itself can damage bulbs and decrease their lifespan.
Overloaded Circuits
If a circuit is tripped in your home once in a while, that’s perfectly normal. If the same one is getting tripped frequently, it may be a problem with an appliance using that circuit or with the wiring in that part of your home. If it happens with a variety of circuits, the problem is more likely to be the fault of the electrical panel itself.
Noises
It’s also possible for electrical issues to cause noises. If you hear anything coming from an outlet or fixture, or from the electrical panel, you’ve definitely got a problem. Electrical noises can include buzzing, crackling, and clicking.
Odors
Your electrical system should definitely not create any smells! If you notice anything like a smoky or melting-plastic odor, you’re at serious risk of electrical fire, and you need help right away. Another odd odor which means there’s an electrical fire currently burning is the smell of fish! Both fish and electrical fires release ammonia into the air, so they smell similar.
Outlet and Switch Problems
Is there an outlet that used to work, but mysteriously no longer does? Or perhaps there’s a switch that almost always shocks your fingers when you turn the light on or off? Maybe you’ve even seen sparks, scorch marks, or a tiny arc of electricity. Don’t ignore this issue! It may be that your only problem is with that one outlet or switch, and it can be repaired quickly, so you’ll stay safe.
Visible Concerns
Do you have places where switches or outlet boxes are loosely attached, or places where you can see the wiring? If you’ve looked at the wiring, does it look modern, or is it wrapped in cloth? Have you seen soot or black marks on your electrical panel? Can you tell that the panel is from long before we started using so many electronics in our homes? Or was the panel manufactured by Federal Pacific, a panel associated with numerous failures?
It’s time for some help from an electrician in Columbia, SC! Whether it’s simply a fixture or switch, or there’s wiring that needs to be replaced, or your panel needs an upgrade, we’re ready to dispel your “ghosts” and get things working properly!
Contact Fulmer Heating & Cooling today for an electrical expert in Columbia, SC!