What It Means When Lights Flicker or Dim Suddenly
If the lights flicker in your home, it could be because someone just started the washer or made use of some power tools plugged into the wall. It could also be because there is a short or other issue in the electrical grid that needs to be addressed right away. Let’s take a look at some of the various causes of lights flickering in your home and what they might mean.
Someone Turned on an Appliance
A washer or dryer requires an enormous amount of power to get themselves going. Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised that it may draw that power to the detriment of the hallway or bedroom light. The same is often true when other appliances such as the air conditioner or refrigerator start running.
In some cases, you might notice the lights flicker when a vacuum or other tools are used. Although they tend to require less power than a traditional appliance, they still need to draw from the grid to run. Depending on how much power your home is able to supply, you may notice some temporary issues.
This may be especially true if you have a number of items such as a computer, microwave or other appliances also plugged in. The good news is that this generally isn’t an issue that you’ll have to worry about in the long run. Instead, your home should continue to operate as normal once the initial burst of power has been consumed.
When Lights Flicker During Periods of Normal Operation
It’s possible that you’ll notice the lights in your home dim or flicker even when nothing of note is running. This may be caused by something simple like a loose connection or an old bulb that is reaching the end of its useful life.
However, if new bulbs are continuously burning out, it may be a sign that there are issues with wiring or with the circuit breaker. Ideally, you will have someone come to your home to rule out any serious problems, and if any issues are discovered, you can have them rectified before they cause any damage to your home.
Signs of a Serious Issue
There will likely be clues of something going on with your electrical system even if you can’t see that something is wrong. For instance, you may hear a popping or buzzing sound or notice an odd smell coming from an outlet or dimmer switch. If a dimmer switch is always hot to the touch, it could indicate heat building up behind the switch.
You may also notice that more than one light is flickering out at a time, which is likely a sign of a bad breaker panel. Multiple lights flickering or dimming at the same time may also be caused by old or damaged wiring.
Typically, wiring lasts for about 20 to 30 years before it should be replaced. This may be especially true if your home uses aluminum wiring instead of copper. In the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum was used because it was less expensive and was more widely available.
The downside to aluminum is that it is vulnerable to overheating. Ultimately, this can increase the risk of a fire inside of the home. Older wires of any kind may also be more likely to fray, come loose or otherwise become defective in their old age. Fraying or loose wires might also be caused by water, pests or other issues that you can’t see.
Your Local Utility Might Be at Fault
In rare cases, flickering lights are caused by connection issues between your home and the utility grid in your area. In such a scenario, you might need to reach out to your electric provider to verify the cause of your issue. At that point, you can then call an electrician to make any fixes needed to ensure reliable and safe power to your home.
If you are having issues with your home’s electrical components, you should call the team at Mister Sparky today. You won’t get any malarky when you call Mister Sparky, instead, you’ll get access to a team of professionals who offer prompt and quality service. We’ll diagnose and fix issues in accordance with your needs and budget.
