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Common Electrical Problems You Might Face in the Winter

Christmas lights wrapped around a homeowner's feet.

Although our home’s electrical systems are often overlooked, we need electricity for practically everything. Daily tasks that we think nothing of, such as turning the lights on and off and using appliances, all require electricity. Our home’s electrical systems are something we just expect to be working at all times, but it’s inevitable that we’ll eventually run into issues.

During the winter, we need electricity more than ever. Between cooking and having the heat constantly running, we rely on our electrical systems to keep the house up and running as well as everyone in the house comfortable. In this blog, you’ll learn about a few electrical problems you might face this winter. Keep reading to find out!

Frequently Tripping Circuit Breakers

One of the most common electrical issues in homes are constantly tripping circuit breakers. To avoid this, make sure you aren’t overloading your outlets! Multiple appliances should never be plugged into the same outlet. Electrical panel upgrades can also help with this as they can handle larger electrical loads. Try plugging your appliances into different outlets to prevent a power surge.

Flickering Lights

Another common electrical issue you might face is flickering lights. This can be very frustrating because who wants to be sitting at home dealing with lights that are constantly flickering? While this might be a quick fix by tightening a few of the bulbs, the bulbs might also need to be replaced. If screwing the bulbs in tighter and replacing them doesn’t work, there might be an issue with your wiring which requires help from Comalli Group, Inc..

Light Bulbs Burning Out

While flickering lights can be frustrating, light bulbs that are burning out way too quickly can be even worse. If you know your light bulbs are burning out faster than they should be, this is another sign of an electrical issue in your home. If you replace the bulbs and they still continue burning out, there might be more power than the bulb can handle. Try buying bulbs that can handle a higher voltage to see if this fixes the issue.

Sparks Coming from Outlets

As a homeowner, you’ve probably seen a spark or two when you’ve plugged a device or appliance into an outlet. While a rare spark is usually nothing to worry about, an outlet that is constantly sparking when you plug something into it is definitely worth addressing. If you notice this issue with your outlets, contact Comalli Group, Inc. right away so we can diagnose the issue. Allowing outlets to continue sparking can not only cause electrical shock, but they can also cause electrical fires.

Space Heaters

While space heaters might be able to provide instant warmth during the winter, they are a huge culprit of house fires when not used properly. If you tend to use space heaters during the winter, make sure they are plugged in correctly and unplugged as soon as they are not in use.

Pro tip: If you’re trying to preserve energy and save on heating bills, you should steer clear of using space heaters as they are not energy efficient.

At Comalli Group, Inc., we prioritize the comfort of our customers in their home no matter what time of year it is. If you’re dealing with electrical issues in your home this season, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can come out and check your home’s electrical system. Give us a call at (413) 213-3661 or fill out our online contact form to speak with one of our team members today.