8 Common Electrical Problems in the Home

A house whose electricity functions properly is a safe house. It’s also a house that will allow you to live your domestic lifestyle with ease. That’s why ensuring that you don’t suffer any electrical problems is important. Not only will it prevent disruptive outages, but it will also prevent electrical damage from worsening.

Though homeowners are generally ignorant about many electrical problems, we can list a few of them so you can start handling them.

Keep reading to learn about eight common electricity issues. You’re most likely experiencing several of them, in which case it’s time to contact a professional electrician.

1. High Energy Bill

Costly electricity bills are more than perpetual dents in your wallet. They’re also indications that your energy isn’t being used efficiently.

You might be suffering electrical surges or damaged wiring. Switching to a better-valued provider or changing your electricity usage habits might also result in a cheaper energy bill.

2. Electrical Surges

If you’re noticing temporary voltage spikes that turn your electricity on and off, you’re experiencing electrical surges.

Power line damage, malfunctioning appliances, and miswired electrical wiring can all result in electrical surges. Frequent electrical surges can do long-term damage to all the electrical appliances in your home.

3. Malfunctioning Circuit Breaker

Faulty circuit breakers can cause those electrical surges mentioned above. They could start to happen more frequently, which could result in more damage to your breaker and any appliances it’s powering.

4. Using the Wrong Type of Circuit Breaker

Although circuit breakers can be repaired, you might also be using the wrong type of circuit breaker. Not only will an incompatible circuit breaker cause more damage to your home, but it also violates the National Electrical Code (NEC).

5. Bad Light Switch Problems

If your light switches don’t work the way they’re supposed to, then they probably weren’t installed properly. Fixtures might have been removed and switches may have been superseded. There might also be a problem with the general way you’re electricity’s running, whether that be with the circuit breaker or wiring.

6. Not Enough Outlets

An insufficient number of outlets may seem simply inconvenient, but it could create damaging habits. People typically tend to use extension cords and outlet expanders to create more outlet space. But this might burn out your main outlet and cause a hazard.

7. Burnt Out Bulbs

Bulbs that often burn out often indicate electricity malfunctioning. Your home’s electrical wiring could be problematic or misconnected, the bulb’s wattage may be too high, and your insulation could be too close to the light.

8. Too Bright/Dim Lights

Similar to the issue of burnt-out bulbs, lights that are too bright or dim are symptomatic of faulty electricity functioning. If two lights that are close together light at different brightness levels, then you may want to check the consistency of your electrical circuitry.

Solve Your Electrical Problems With a Professional

There are many common electrical problems you could be currently experiencing. But there are also many reasons behind each of them. That’s why it’s best to contact a professional electrician so they can specify the fundamental issues behind your problems.

When you’re ready to optimize your electricity usage, book an appointment with Long View Lighting today! If you’re curious about the quality of our services, check out our reviews. We’ve been providing homeowners with top-tier service for years.

What Is an Ungrounded Outlet?

Outlets 101

To understand the difference between a grounded outlet and an ungrounded one, it’s important to start with how an outlet works. An electrical outlet has a “hot” wire and a “neutral wire.”

The hot wire brings electricity from your local power company to your home. The neutral wire sends electricity from your home back to the power source. The left slot of an outlet holds the neutral wire while the right slot holds the hot one.

If your outlets only have these two wires, you’re dealing with an ungrounded outlet, which presents serious electrical safety issues.

A grounded outlet has a third wire, called a ground wire. You can tell if you’re dealing with a grounded or ungrounded outlet based on how many holes it has. An outlet with a third prong hole is a grounded outlet.

The Danger of Ungrounded Outlets

Having a ground wires in your electrical outlets is an important feature. This protects you and your home in the case of a power surge (also called a power fault). During an electrical surge the excess electricity will travel from the outlet back to your home’s main electrical panel. It then goes through the ground wire back into the earth, where it’s absorbed.

Without a ground wire, there’s a greater risk of the surge causing an electric shock, electrocution, or a fire.

Until the mid-1960s, ungrounded wires were considered standard. However, as more people created a greater demand for electricity, they were phased out in favor of grounded outlets. Now, an outlet that doesn’t have a three-prong configuration isn’t just a safety issue, it’s also not up to code.

How to Replace Ungrounded Outlets

If you’ve found ungrounded outlets in your home or business, it’s never a good idea to attempt a replacement on your own. A professional electrician can replace an ungrounded outlet quickly and easily. However, since doing so requires direct contact with electricity, it’s best to leave this simple project up to the pros.

Hire an Experienced Electrician Today

If you have ungrounded outlets in your home or business, it’s time to consider upgrading them! You might be surprised to learn that this costs less than you might think.

The experts at Long View Lighting are here to help with all of your electrical needs. Whether you’re looking for a simple outlet replacement or a whole-house rewiring project, you can trust our electricians to take care of it correctly the first time.