Electricity has become a part of our modern lifestyle, and we can’t think of a world without it. We highly use electricity at home for lighting, cooling, heating, refrigeration, operating electronics, running appliances, and more. The average American household consumes approximately 11,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually for such purposes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
However, most homeowners don’t think about their electrical system until an issue arises. It’s said that you should have an electrical inspection every 10-30 years. That’s a big gap! So, how can you tell if it’s time to schedule an electrical inspection? Here are the top five signs that you need an electrical inspection:
Strange Smells
There can be a little smell when you use a new appliance as a coating on a light duct or coil is burned off. It shouldn’t take long, and there might be an issue if it goes on. If you detect any smell of burning from your electrical outlets, this is a sign of a fault. Call a professional to inspect it.
Tripping Circuit Breakers
Fuses and circuit breakers trip or blow when the load is too high. So, if your circuit breakers trip when you’re using an outlet, then it shows that this part of the circuit is overloaded. Contact an electrician to upgrade the circuit or perhaps add an additional circuit.
Sparks
Be cautious as any sparks you see appearing whenever you’re using your electricity are a potential cause of fire hazards. Any sparks from your house electrical system like a fuse box or an outlet need an inspection by an electrician.
Flickering Lights
If there’s a dimming or flickering light in your home, there’s probably an issue with your electrical system. If you plug many appliances into the same circuit, it will experience trouble distributing energy to every appliance. Some appliances need more energy than others, like washing machines and other large appliances. Contact your electrician for an inspection to find out the root cause of the problem.
Hot Sockets or Switches
Any heat coming from electrical wiring, outlets, or switches is a concern! Keep checking any warm areas in case the temperatures rise. A mildly warm socket or switch is probably okay, but if it gets hot, have it checked soon. Even your high-power appliances like heaters shouldn’t have excessive heat coming from the electrical supply. Even when there’s no electrical device attached, a warm outlet has a wiring problem. Don’t use it; have it checked.
More homeowners are adding new loads to their homes, causing electrical system problems. This might include new high-energy-consuming appliances like AC systems. However, it’s easy to note a faulty electrical system using the above five proven signs. Contact a reputable electrician immediately if you notice any of the above signs.
