When the weather gets chilly, the last thing you need is for your electrical panel to throw a winter tantrum. If this happens, you can face flickering lights, tripped breakers, or even a power outage. Luckily, you don’t need to be an electrician to keep your electrical system happy and healthy all season long. With a few simple checks and some easy maintenance, you can avoid winter woes and keep your home powered up and comfortable.
Locate and Label
First, find your electrical panel. It’s usually a gray metal box tucked away in your garage or utility room. Inside it, you’ll find a bunch of switches called circuit breakers. Each breaker controls the flow of electricity to a specific part of your house, such as the lights in your living room or the outlets in your kitchen. Take time to become familiar with your panel, and label each breaker so that you know what it does. This will be helpful if you ever need to reset a breaker or troubleshoot a problem.
Keep It Clean
Your electrical panel isn’t a storage space! Make sure the area around it is clean and free of clutter. It’s not good to have boxes, tools, or seasonal decorations piled up in front of it. If you ever have an electrical emergency, you need to be able to access the panel quickly and easily.
Check for Water Damage
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Make sure the area around your electrical panel is dry and free of leaks. If you see any signs of water damage, such as rust or corrosion, call an electrician to check it out.
Test Your Breakers
Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to test your circuit breakers to make sure they’re working properly. You can do this by flipping each one off and then back on. If a breaker trips immediately, it might be faulty and need replacing.
Don’t Overload Circuits
In the winter, we tend to use more electricity for lights, space heaters, and electric blankets. Be mindful of how many things you have plugged into each circuit. Overloading a circuit can cause the breaker to trip, which can be annoying and inconvenient. If you find that your breakers are tripping frequently, you might need to upgrade your electrical panel or redistribute your electrical load.
Consider a Surge Protector
Power surges can occur during winter storms, and they can damage your electronics and appliances. A whole-house surge protector can help safeguard your valuable equipment.
If you notice any problems with your electrical panel, such as flickering lights, burning smells, or frequent breaker trips, call a licensed and trained electrician. They have the knowledge and tools to diagnose and fix any issues you face. For electrical panel upgrades, maintenance, repairs and replacements in Santa Cruz, CA, get in touch with Fisher Electric today.
