Summer Electrical Issues
Who doesn’t love summer, right? With summer time comes warmer weather, vacations, flip flops and cold drinks! However, the hottest season of the year can also bring some not-so-pleasant experiences when it comes to your electricity and electrical service needs. Here are some common summer electrical issues mostly experienced in the upcoming heated-season.
Summer Time Equals Summer Storms
Storms can be a good thing (especially when it comes to our grass and the rain we love), but not so good when it comes to your electricity. There’s nothing like going to place dinner in the oven and the power goes out! We have all experienced that at some point or another.
There are two kinds of storms that can affect the wiring/electricity in and outside of your home. Wind storms can have a heavy impact on power lines as well as the outdoor wiring of your home. These types of storms can cause power outages if they’re damaging enough. Lightning storms can cause an unexpected power surge, which lead to overloading and damage to the electrical appliances you have in your home. Both of these problems require a professional electrician. It is extremely important that you have a surge protector installed in your home if you live in an area prone to lightning storms.
Brownouts and Blackouts
Brownouts may not be as widely known as Blackouts, but there is a difference in the two. A brownout refers to when there is a restriction in availability of power in a particular area. The term comes from the color of lights when the voltage drops and the bulbs cannot exceed its maximum brightness. Often, brownouts are intentional which is also called a voltage reduction. This happens when utilities sense that a disruption in the grid may lead to serious problems
Blackout is a complete failure of electrical power (pretty self-explanatory, right?). There are several different causes of Blackouts such as: Severe thunderstorms, damage to electrical transmission lines or faults of the power stations. Depending on the cause, Blackouts can last anywhere from a few minutes to weeks and are more common in the summer due to thunderstorms alone. Learn more about LED lights and how you can save and keep your bill relatively lower!
Higher Electrical Load
In the summer, you run your AC more than any other time of the year (especially here in Florida!). Some even say they use their appliances more this time of year and with this increase in electricity being used can cause an overload. If you are hearing buzzing, seeing flickering lights or sparks when you plug something in, it may be time to upgrade your panels!
Aluminum Wiring Issues
Does your home have aluminum wiring? If so, this type of wiring can actually be a lose-lose situation and not just in the summer. Because of the heat, the aluminum wires expand and when it gets cold again they contract. This constant act of expanding and contracting can lead to rust, loose connection and overheating. If you are not sure if you have aluminum wiring or would like the condition of the wiring checked, give our Jacksonville electricians here at Johnson Electric of Jacksonville a call and we can come check it out for you!
Some of these common issues can be avoided and some simply cannot. We recommend having an “electrical check-up” if you are concerned about any wiring issues. We also recommend installing a surge protector and we can help with that as well!
Residential Electricians in Jacksonville
Electricians in Jacksonville Who Care
Summer electrical issues and concerns are all too common. Don’t let the summer heat spoil your summer. Let our experienced residential and commercial electrical here in Jacksonville help you with any and all of your electrical needs! If any of these have affected you, Johnson Electric of Jacksonville is always happy to help your family’s electrical needs. Call us today at 904-616-6366!
