Studies show that the most common type of New Year’s resolution has to do with personal health: eating better, going to the gym, drinking more water, etc. But have you considered the well-being of your home? For a refreshing approach to your New Year’s resolution, how about addressing the issues with your home’s electrical wiring? Here’s what you should know.
Aluminum Wiring
Since the late seventies, when a home has been built or rewired, that wiring has been copper. But if your home is older than that, it may still contain aluminum wiring. When aluminum is used to conduct electricity, it oxidizes much more easily than copper, which means it poses a much higher risk of overheating and causing a fire. A qualified electrician can assess your home’s wiring and tell you if there’s any aluminum.
Tripping Circuit Breakers
A tripped circuit breaker will happen once in a while, perhaps if you plug your vacuum cleaner into the same circuit your air conditioner is running on. But if you’re regularly tripping circuit breakers, you’ve got an electrical problem. It could simply be that your usage needs are exceeding what your electrical panel was meant for, and you need it replaced.
Lighting Problems
Flickering lights or lightbulbs burning out frequently can be caused by the wiring of the fixture itself or, if it’s happening in more than one fixture, overall home wiring problems or an overloaded electrical panel. Don’t blame it on ghosts! Get professional electrical wiring services in Coeur d’Alene, ID.
Outlet and Switch Issues
If you’ve got an outlet or light switch that simply doesn’t work, this is a problem you shouldn’t ignore. Because improper wiring can be a fire hazard, any electrical outlets or switches that aren’t functioning should be checked out by an electrician.
Shocks and Hot Spots
Getting shocked by appliances, fixtures, outlets, or switches is not fun. But it isn’t just a minor irritation. It can indicate a serious problem that needs to be addressed in order to prevent electrical fires or serious damage to appliances or electronics. Similarly, if there are areas of your walls that feel warm to the touch, there could be an electrical current that’s flowing somewhere it shouldn’t.
Lack of GFCIs
GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter and can be recognized by the two buttons between the outlets. This is the type of outlet that is safe for areas that need extra protection. Mostly, this means places where outlets are near water, such as in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoors. If those places lack outlets, or have outlets that are not the GFCI type, resolve to improve your safety by having GFCI outlets installed.
Other Concerns
If you have any other questions about your wiring, if anything gives you pause or makes you worry about your home’s electrical system, take this concern seriously. In our modern lives, we rely so much on electricity for entertainment, communication, working from home, and more. This year, set your home up for success with the help of a qualified electrician.
ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about electrical wiring.