How Often Should I Have My Electrical System Inspected?

It's recommended to have a professional electrician inspect your electrical system every three to five years. Regular inspections help identify potential issues, ensuring the safety and reliability of your home or business. Our team at Electric City is well-versed in finding electrical issues during inspections.

What Are Signs That I Need to Upgrade My Electrical Panel?

Frequent tripped breakers, flickering lights, and an outdated electrical panel are clear signs that an upgrade is necessary. These issues can indicate overload, wear, or obsolescence, compromising safety. Upgrading your electrical panel improves safety and efficiency in your home or business by meeting the needs of modern appliances and technologies.

Why Are My Lights Flickering & Should I Be Concerned?

Flickering lights may signal various issues, including loose bulbs, faulty wiring, or problems in the electrical system. While occasional flickering might be due to minor causes, persistent or severe flickering could indicate an underlying problem, potentially compromising safety. Have a professional electrician quickly assess the situation to identify the root cause and address potential hazards. Electric City provides inspections and repair services to ensure your lighting system operates safely.

How Can I Improve Energy Efficiency in My Home or Business?

Improving energy efficiency involves various strategies for both homes and businesses. Consider upgrading to LED lighting, using energy-efficient appliances, and installing programmable thermostats. Additionally, ensure proper insulation, seal air leaks, and schedule regular maintenance for HVAC systems. Electric City provides personalized energy-saving services to help you save energy, cut utility expenses, and support a greener environment.

What Should I Do During a Power Outage at My Home or Business?

During a power outage, prioritize safety by turning off major appliances to prevent overload when power is restored. Use flashlights instead of candles for lighting, and avoid opening the refrigerator to keep food cold longer. If the outage persists, unplug sensitive electronic devices to protect them from potential power surges when electricity returns. Consider having a backup power source, like a generator, for essential appliances. Electric City can assist you with standby generator installation, ensuring uninterrupted power during outages at your home or business.

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Signs That the Electrical Panel at Home Is in Need of Repair

Electrical Techs in Katy, TX Share Information About Repairing Electrical Panels.

Is Electrical Panel Repair Necessary? Here’s How to Tell

The electrical panel controls the electricity to various parts of the home. There’s a switch for the oven in the kitchen, there’s a switch for the main circuit breaker, and so on. There are so many switches and levers, it’s hard enough to tell what switch turns off what, and it can be even harder to tell what might be broken and in need of repair. Luckily, there are a few signs homeowners can spot that communicate the need for electrical panel repairs.

How Old Is the Electrical Panel?

Electrical panels do have a longer life expectancy compared to many things in a home. For instance, the typical water heater lasts 8-12 years and the average washer will last 12-14 years, but the average electrical panel will last 60 years.

So if someone is moving into a brand new home, they won’t have to worry about the electrical panel malfunctioning for quite some time. But when moving into an older home, electrical panel repair could pop up unexpectedly.

If possible, ask the previous homeowners if/when they last repaired the electrical panel as this can provide an estimated timeline for future needed repairs. But also pay attention to other signs of the panel aging. If it starts to corrode or has a lot of rust, it’s likely time for the panel to be replaced.

Is There a Burning Smell?

A burning smell is never a good sign, and this is true for electrical panels too. Where there’s a burning smell, there’s smoke. And when there’s smoke, there’s fire. The burning smell could be caused by a circuit breaker that no longer works or from a circuit breaker’s wire that is loose or no longer properly connected. Either of these problems could lead to an electrical fire. When something like this happens, homeowners need to act fast.

Turn off or unplug all electrical equipment in the house, then turn off the main power supply. It’s important to unplug devices first because they can be damaged when turning on and off the home’s electricity. Once the power is turned off, and the home is not in immediate danger of a fire, it’s time to call a professional electrician to replace the panel.

Are Lights Flickering or Dimming?

Unless it’s Halloween, and people are trying to flicker their lights on purpose to spook out their neighbors, the lights in the house should not flicker or dim on their own. Many people will automatically assume that it’s just the light bulb going out.

So they’ll replace the bulb, but the flickering remains. When this happens, it’s not the light bulb. Instead, it’s a sign of an electrical panel breakdown. If homeowners don’t take the electrical panel into consideration as the source of the problem, they’ll not only waste money constantly replacing light bulbs, but also will put their house at risk of a fire.

The main cause of flickering and dimming lights is loose wiring in the electrical panel, which is a leading cause of house fires. If homeowners notice this sign, they need to call a professional electrician immediately.

About Electric City

Electric City has been serving homeowners with electrical services in Katy, TX for over a decade. When it comes to electrical repair services, they understand the complexity and importance of quality repair and troubleshooting services. No matter the issue a homeowner is dealing with, they can count on these electrical experts for care.