Your kids may think it's “cool” when the lights in your home flicker on and off – as if a spirit is floating overhead and wants everyone to know it.
We don't know much about mystical forces at Experts In Your Home, but we do know that many of our customers experience the flickering phenomenon on a fairly regular basis and may need the help of local electrician.
Many times, lights flicker on and off when a thunderstorm is approaching. In this case, it's a good idea to grab a flashlight and seek a safe haven on the lowest level of your home until the storm passes.
But what about other times when your lights flicker on and off – when no storm is on the horizon?
Let's look at some likely causes as well as the appropriate action step. As always, if your gut instinct tells you that something might be truly wrong with your home's wiring – or worse, you smell smoke or fire – call a local electrician at Experts In Your Home immediately. Turn off the power at the breaker and we'll be there to assess and repair the situation as soon as we possibly can.
In the meantime, assess the situation for:
- A loose light bulb, which will cause a light to flicker wildly. In this case, turn off the light fixture. Then ensure that the bulb is positioned properly in the socket. If it is, tighten it until it sits snugly in the base and turn the light back on. If the flicker persists, try replacing the bulb. If the problem continues, the problem lies elsewhere, so keep investigating.
- A poor switch or connection will cause a light to flicker. Switches don't last forever, so try jiggling it to trigger a flicker. Check the screw terminals on the light switch and, if they're loose, tighten them. Then check the connection, or where the plug connects with the outlet. It should be seated snugly. If it doesn't, squeeze the prongs together gently with your fingers so that they hug the outlet.
- A voltage fluctuation can be trickier to diagnose. Most often, you'll spot it when a high-voltage appliance – such as your air conditioner -- turns on and a few other lights connected to the same circuit flicker simultaneously. A quick flicker might be normal – or it may not be. In fact, it might be a sign of a serious problem with your electrical system. Don't take chances; call Experts In Your Home so that we can inspect your system and put your mind at ease.
- It's a much scarier proposition when half to most of the lights in your home flicker at the same time. This could be a sign that there are loose service conductors in your home's electrical panel – an issue that only a licensed electrician can repair. This problem can induce more than flicking; it can cause lights to dim markedly. More than a spirit should move you to contact us immediately.
No matter how adept you are with electrical issues, some are better placed in the hands of a fully trained and licensed local electrician. For example, let's say that many of the lights in your home flicker when your air conditioner kicks on. At the risk of getting too technical, the problem could lie between your meter base and the transformer that feeds the power to your home. The wires may be too small to accommodate your home's electrical load or the transformer itself might be too small.
In this way, we make great partners: you assess the problem and Experts In Your Home will repair it – to keep you and your family as safe as they can be. Next time you’re experiencing electrical issues contact a local electrician at Experts In Your Home. We are experts in your home and serve Chico, Paradise, Durham & surrounding areas.
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