As fall arrives in Central Florida, homeowners focus on seasonal maintenance—cleaning gutters, checking HVAC systems, and preparing for (slightly) cooler weather. But one important thing is often overlooked: their home’s electrical system. Outdated wiring, overloaded circuits, and aging panels can lead to inefficiencies, power surges, or even fire hazards.
Knowing the signs that your electrical system needs an upgrade can save money, protect your family, and improve home comfort. Follow our team at Frank Gay Services as we share more.
Sign #1. Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips
If your circuit breakers trip regularly, it’s more than an annoyance. It indicates your system may be overloaded and struggling to handle your household’s energy demands.
Some common reasons for tripping breakers include:
- Overloaded Circuit: Too many appliances or devices on a single circuit.
- Short Circuit: Wiring issues caused by loose or broken connections.
- Faulty Appliances: Damaged or malfunctioning devices drawing excessive power.
- Outdated Wiring: Worn or insufficient wiring unable to handle modern demand.
- Ground Fault Surges: Electrical flow diverted from the intended path creating a fault.
Autumn brings increased electricity use with lighting, heating devices, and holiday preparations. Upgrading your electrical panel can prevent repeated trips and ensure your home safely meets current and future energy needs.
Sign #2. Flickering or Dimming Lights
Lights that flicker or dim when appliances turn on are a clear warning sign!
Loose wiring is a common culprit, as it can create unstable connections. An overloaded circuit could also be the cause, especially if it can’t handle the demands of multiple appliances. Additionally, voltage fluctuations may lead to inconsistent lighting.
Identifying and fixing these issues promptly can improve both safety and efficiency in your home’s electrical system.
Sign #3. Outdated Electrical Panels
Homes with fuse boxes or panels installed before the 1980s may not meet modern safety standards. These older systems can overheat or fail under today’s electrical load. Upgrading your panel allows your home to safely support modern appliances, electronics, and smart home devices.
Sign #4. Frequent Power Surges
Frequent power surges can damage electronics and appliances and increase energy costs. They often indicate issues with wiring or grounding.
Protecting your home with a whole-house surge protector is an investment that pays off by shielding against both external and internal power surges. This smart solution intercepts voltage spikes before they can infiltrate your wiring, safeguarding your appliances and electronics from damage.
Installed at your electrical panel, it acts as a first line of defense against unexpected spikes, such as lightning strikes or sudden electricity demands from large appliances. This means your home stays safe, and you save on potential costly repairs in the long run.
Sign #5. Burning Smells or Sparks
Any burning odor or sparks near outlets, switches, or panels is a serious warning. These signs may indicate overloaded circuits or faulty wiring. In our humid climate, electrical issues can worsen quickly, making prompt inspection critical for safety.
If you notice any strange electrical smells, don’t wait, call our guys ASAP!
Sign #6. Outlets That Don’t Work or Are Loose
Loose or non-functional outlets can cause electrical arcing, a fire hazard. Replacing faulty outlets and ensuring wiring is secure is key to maintaining a safe home.
Consider this: faulty outlets might just be the tip of the iceberg. Behind those loose outlets could be outdated or deteriorating wiring, compounding the risk of electrical hazards. Plus, outlets that aren’t functioning can inconvenience your day-to-day activities, as simple tasks like charging your phone or powering your appliances become more challenging.
Sign #7. Heavy Use of Extension Cords
When reliance on extension cords becomes a routine, it often indicates the need for a more robust and tailored electrical solution. Our skilled electricians can add more outlets or circuits where necessary, ensuring that your household can accommodate all your gadgets and devices efficiently.
Start by thinking about the areas that see the most use and consider installing additional outlets. Kitchens, living rooms, or home offices usually benefit from extra outlets due to numerous devices and appliances.
Sign #8. Home Renovations or Additions
While your home may have been sufficient for your needs when you moved in, every addition, big or small, demands more from your electrical system. Installing a modern HVAC system, converting a room into a home office, or even setting up a dedicated charging station for electric vehicles can significantly increase your home’s electrical load.
Upgrading to a 200-amp service panel or integrating smart home technology can further optimize your electricity use.
Sign #9. Age of the Home
Homes older than 30 years may have outdated wiring or panels. Scheduling a fall electrical inspection before the holiday season can prevent unexpected outages and safety hazards.
Some common issues we run into with older homes include:
- Insufficient Outlets: Many older homes were designed with fewer outlets, leading to reliance on extension cords, which can overload circuits.
- Aluminum Wiring: Common in homes from the 1960s and 70s, aluminum wiring poses fire risks as it can corrode and loosen over time.
- Two-Prong Outlets: These lack grounding, increasing the risk of electric shock, and are incompatible with modern appliances that require three-prong outlets.
- Outdated Fuse Boxes: Older fuse boxes may not support modern electrical loads and are less safe compared to today’s circuit breaker panels.
Protect Your Central Florida Home This Fall
Autumn is the ideal time to ensure your home’s electrical system is safe, efficient, and capable of supporting modern technology. From panel upgrades to circuit improvements, our professional electrical services prevent hazards, reduce energy waste, and enhance your Central Florida home’s performance.
Experience peace of mind and exceptional service the Frank Gay Way. Schedule your electrical inspection or upgrade today!