During the colder months of the year, your electrical panel must keep up with your home’s energy demands. These demands can increase the risk of short-circuiting and power failures. Use these practical strategies in the fall to avoid that strain and help your electrical panel function better.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Before the start of winter, schedule a routine tune-up for your home’s electrical panel. Yearly maintenance verifies that everything is intact and safe inside the panel.
It also identifies outdated wiring, overloaded circuits and other panel issues that you can repair or replace promptly. Routine maintenance is especially important if you live in an older house or if you have installed new appliances recently.
Unplug Devices
Unplug any devices or appliances that you are not actively using. Phantom loads put stress on the electrical panel. Unplugging devices and appliances that you do not use regularly helps free up capacity on the other circuits in your home.
Use Heaters Efficiently
Avoid plugging in and using multiple space heaters at the same time on the same circuit. This practice increases the strain on the panel and also raises the risk of an electrical fire. Upgrade to a smart programmable thermostat that lets you efficiently manage the electrical loads of your furnace and space heaters.
Guard Against Moisture
Moisture in and around appliances, light switches and outlets corrodes the electrical fixtures in your home. It also makes the electrical system work less efficiently and stresses the electrical panel.
Check around the outlets, switches and appliances for water or condensation. Install GFCI outlets in areas like the utility room and your house’s exterior to lower the risk of corrosion.
Check for Signs of Rodent Activity
Rodents are a serious threat to your home’s electrical system and panel. They chew through wires in areas like the crawl space, basement and attic.
Chewed wires raise the risk of an electrical fire in your home. They also increase the chances of the wires short-circuiting and cutting power to the appliance, light or device.
Replace Damaged Outlets
Check the outlets in your home for signs of damage. Look for scorch marks and discoloration. Listen for buzzing sounds.
These signs indicate overheating or damaged wiring. Hire one of our electricians to replace damaged outlets.
Use a Timer for Holiday Lighting
As you prepare your home for festive holiday decorating, install a timer for your holiday lights. The timer prevents overuse and lowers the electrical load. It also eases the strain on the electrical panel in your home.
Upgrade to a New Panel
If your electrical panel is between more than 20 years old, consider replacing it. It’s time to upgrade to a new and more energy-efficient one.
These autumn tips help relieve the stress that you put on the electrical panel in your home in Jonesboro, AR. Contact Chamberlain for electrical panel services.
