Many homeowners in Ballwin, MO don’t think about their electrical systems until there’s a problem. A proactive approach can save you money and many inconveniences. Let’s explore the most common issues, the earliest warning signs, and how to deal with these troubles.
Unexplained Rising Electricity Consumption
Homeowners should track their electricity usage month to month and year to year. That way, you know when you’re experiencing a spike in usage and a potential problem. Increased energy usage has many possible causes, including malfunctioning HVAC equipment and appliances. What many property owners don’t know is that it can be the electrical system itself. Consider faulty wiring. It can let electricity leak out or create a “phantom load.” That results in paying for electricity that never reaches your lights and devices. To solve this problem, it’s often necessary to have an electrician perform a comprehensive inspection and assessment.
Outdated or Inadequate Electrical Panel
It’s not unusual for older homes to have an electrical panel that doesn’t meet the household’s needs. The power demand of the average U.S. household has grown tremendously over the years. Often, a 150-amp electrical panel is the bare minimum for new residential construction. Larger homes usually need 250 amps or more. Despite this, it’s common in older houses to have electrical panels that handle far less than 100 amps.
Older electrical panels are often not up to code in other ways. Improper grounding is prevalent and increases the risk of fires, electrical shocks, and device damage. It even elevates the risk of corrosion due to stay currents. Older homes often lack ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to help avoid water-related shocks. In addition, they lack arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) to help prevent arc-related electrical fires. The solution here is to upgrade your electrical panel, which will require bringing your home up to code.
Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips
The purpose of a circuit breaker is to protect your electrical system, major appliances, and devices. Isolated trips are normal and generally not cause for concern. Frequent trips suggest a bigger problem, and you shouldn’t ignore them. If the issue is specific to one breaker, it could be a worn breaker that requires replacement. It could also be the circuit itself or one of the appliances or devices on that circuit. Trips across your array of breakers are more worrisome. That likely indicates a problem with the panel itself, and you may need a panel upgrade.
Light Bulb Burnouts
Burnouts occur when a bulb’s filament or LED component dies. It can happen at the end of a bulb’s natural life span. It can also occur prematurely, which is often due to overheating. Rule out issues with the bulb, such as getting unlucky with a bad bulb or using the wrong wattage. It may indicate a problem with the fixture or the switch or dimmer that controls it. You may also be experiencing high or fluctuating voltages on that circuit.
Worn or Damaged Wires
The industry estimate is that home wiring lasts approximately 50 years. In some cases, it can last 70 or even 100 years. Wires fail over time because they’re subject to wear and tear. Even through normal usage, wires and insulation wear down. Connections can also loosen in time due to vibrations. Homeowners should schedule comprehensive electrical inspections every three to five years. Your inspector will perform visual inspections in addition to circuit and voltage testing. If the problem is your wiring, whole-home rewiring is usually the best solution. While you can selectively replace wires, that approach can often cost a lot more in the end.
Electrical Surges
All homes experience power surges and spikes. Both events are increases in voltage beyond the norm. The difference is that spikes are relatively short-lived while surges last longer. If a system doesn’t appropriately handle a surge, it can damage electrical components and devices.
There are two main types of power surges: external and internal. An example of an external surge is the increased voltage from lightning striking your property. An example of an internal surge is the burst of electricity generated when an air conditioner cycles on.
The National Electrical Code added whole-surge protection as a requirement in 2023. Most homes built before then don’t have that upgrade. All homes should have Type 2 surge protection at least. A Type 2 surge protection device (SPD) protects against internal surges and some external surges, such as indirect lightning strikes. You can also add a Type 1 SPD, which will provide added protection against direct lightning strikes and anomalous grid power. Homeowners should also use Type 3 SPDs. Those are local solutions, such as surge protector power strips and outlets with integrated surge protection.
Overloaded Circuits
An overloaded circuit has more demand than it can handle. That leads to increased wear and increases the risk of shorts, fires, and device damage. You may have overloaded circuits because of the building codes when you last installed or upgraded your panel. Many households also forcefully overload their circuits. An example is using a power strip to run more devices concurrently than you should. The solution is to add the additional circuits, outlets, and lights you need. With older panels, this may necessitate upgrading the panel.
Outlets and Switches Hot to the Touch
An outlet, switch, or dimmer should never be warm to the touch. A hot outlet indicates an even more serious problem. In either case, stop using the outlet. Turn off all lights and devices it connects to. Then, call an electrician as soon as possible. This indicates that some aspect of the outlet is overheating and there’s a fire risk. It could be due to an overloaded circuit. It may also be damaged wiring, a loose connection, a broken outlet component, or an insufficient breaker.
No Power From an Outlet
A dead outlet is an outlet that provides no power. This can happen to switches and dimmers as well. The most common and easily corrected cause is a tripped circuit breaker or, in the case of some older homes, a blown fuse. Outlets do fail over time. It may be that yours has died and needs replacement. It can also be a loose connection or faulty wiring.
Flickering or Dimming Lights
An isolated dimming or flickering of lights is not cause for concern. Often, it’s a temporary issue with the grid. If the problem recurs, you may need a new bulb or fixture. The switch or dimmer may be faulty. Dimming and flickering can indicate an overloaded circuit. It may also suggest that you have bad wiring or another cause of voltage fluctuations.
Electrical Repairs in the Greater St. Louis Area
Spark Daddy is an electrical contractor that specializes in residential services. Our company has locations in Ballwin and Pacific and serves the surrounding areas. We employ licensed electricians who perform inspections, repairs, maintenance, new installations, upgrades, and conversions. Our team wires and rewires homes. We install and service electrical panels, whole-home surge protectors, outlets, switches, and dimmers.
You can also count on us for standby generators, indoor and outdoor lighting, EV charging stations, and voice and data solutions. Call today or contact us online to schedule a service appointment or to set up an on-site consultation.
