Wondering why your lights are flickering? This is a common problem that homeowners have to go through. Although it might seem natural, things can escalate very quickly. We recommend you give an Arvada electrician a call.
Did you notice your lights suddenly turning on and off? In this article, we hope to provide you with information regarding the cause of this electrical issue and how to handle it. There are few reasons why flickering lights happen, some may be dealt with on your own, while other tasks such as electrical troubleshooting in Arvada should be handled by a certified electrician.
What does it mean when lights flicker?
First of all, assess why your lights are flickering. If the flickering is just new, check whether the bulbs or plugs are tight or not. Most of the time it is just an isolated case involving loose bulbs. Sometimes, faulty fixtures and appliances or devices using large amounts of current can make the lights flicker.
If the flickering happens regularly and longer than usual, there could be bigger electrical issues that needs to be resolved immediately. Problems in the conductors, electrical services, and triggers could result in lights flickering and tends to have a major impact on other electric appliances and devices.
When it comes to loose bulbs and plugs, fixing the flickering would be simple. Just screw the bulb or plug tightly. If that does not work, you may need to replace the bulb.
Some things you need to remember when it comes to fluorescent bulbs is that they have a higher tendency to flicker during the winter season or cold temperature. With LED bulbs, having a dimmer switch contributes to electrical load that can make the light flicker.
If the problem is with the bulbs or plug you are using, there is nothing you should worry about. It is common for faulty fixtures to flicker every now and then. Change them and your problem is solved.
On the other hand, when it comes to bigger problems that carry a higher risk of setting your house on fire, immediate assistance by professional electricians like ElectriCall is necessary. Problems that need electrical troubleshooting by expert electricians involve:
- Fluctuations in voltage
- Outdated components and wirings
- Faulty electrical box, switches, and service connection
- Overload or surge of power in the circuit
Do not try to repair electrical issues on your own, especially if you have no knowledge and experience on electrical systems.
Should I worry about lights flickering?
The only time you should start worrying about your lights flickering is when you have replaced the faulty fixture and still the flickering persists. That often means that the root of the problem is with the electrical system or its connections.
Flickering lights could be due to bad weather, so if your area is experiencing a storm when the flickering happens, that is probably the source. When the lights in your whole house are flickering and the weather is perfectly fine, that is indicative that there is a problem with the electrical system of your home.
When the flickering happens whenever you turn an appliance on and off, the problem could be an overloaded circuit. This often occurs when you crank up multiple appliances at the same time. As a result, the maximum load for the circuit is reached causing it to trip or suddenly shut off and on.
Minor changes will not solve the problem and leaving the issue for more days will only cause more damage. Electrical issues involving overload in the circuit needs to be fixed right away because it could lead to overheating of the wires and cause a fire.
The problem is that we often need to plug in multiple devices and appliances to perform our daily functions. But, how can you minimize if not completely eliminate your worries? Call a local electrician right away to assist you in repairing or replacing electrical components.
ElectriCall can help you with the proper installation and repair any electrical-related components in your home. Our team will help you prevent electrical circuit overload from happening. We will ensure that the routing of your house’s electrical wiring is mapped correctly.
Above all, we will help you conduct preventive measures such as installing sub panels and an additional breaker panel or circuits to guarantee all appliances get the right amount of voltage needed to function properly. There are a lot more we can do to help you, so do not hesitate to contact us!
How do I stop my lights from flickering?
Upgrade incompatible or outdated switches. If you have been using an old switch model, perhaps it is time to replace it with a better one. In today’s generation, newer and better technology for houses have been developed to ensure the safety of people.
Badly-fitting bulbs might also be the source of flickering. But there is no need to panic or be alarmed by this since changing it will do the trick. However, we recommend that you assess and examine the issue thoroughly to ensure that there are no other problems lurking and waiting to explode.
Try using smart bulb switches that are not only trendy, but will not damage your light fixture. A smart bulb switch can easily turn the power of the light bulb on and off. Choosing to use smart bulbs and switches is more user friendly and will give you better experience.
For the bigger problem, contact an Arvada electrical contractor to examine the issue and perform the necessary electrical wiring repair.
Common Reasons why they flicker
Some reasons for lights flickering are easy to fix. Other culprits need to be taken care of by a professional Arvada electrician. Either way, it is an annoying electrical problem that can disrupt your daily living.
Here are the most common culprits for flickering lights:
- Loose bulbs
- Loose plugs
- Wrong connection of wirings
- Improper installation of sockets
- Old and outdated wiring
- Problem in the electrical routing
- Faulty light fixtures
- Overloaded power lines and circuits
- Appliances and HVAC units using large current
Hire a seasoned electrician to deal with serious electrical issues to ensure that the problem is fixed right the first time. Performing a DIY on matters like this might potentially cost you more in maintenance and replacement, worse, cost your life.
Let professionals like ElectriCall inspect and fix the electrical problem in your house. Remember that flickering lights may be common, but it could also lead to a dangerous event.