Be Aware of Cold Weather Electrical Problems
During the colder months in Greater Cleveland, most of us will see an uptick in our electric usage. Between running the heat around the clock and using electric blankets or mattress pads, our home’s electrical system is definitely under more stress in the winter.
There’s not much that can be done to avoid a winter uptick in electricity use. However, you can prevent some of the more common cold weather electrical problems by having a pre-winter inspection of your electric system. Here are just a few of the issues that a professional electrician can help you to avoid:
During the holidays, there are a lot of extra things plugged into our home’s electrical system, such as interior and exterior lights, inflatable outside decorations, and more. With so much electricity needed, it is not uncommon to trip or overheat your circuit breaker. Before you count on your home’s electrical system to handle the additional usage through the holiday season, let our team make sure it is up for the challenge. Short circuiting can lead to electrical shocks or, even worse, potential fires.
Space heaters, if used properly, can be a safe and effective method of heating your home. However, consider that for a large portion of the year, space heaters likely sit in an attic or the basement while they are not used. You should inspect them carefully to make sure they haven’t been damaged while in storage. Also, if multiple space heaters are plugged into one outlet or running for an extensive length of time, they can be at risk of overheating. Our electricians can double check your outlets and ensure your electrical system is up-to-date before you run space heaters this winter.
Many homeowners rely on extension cords and extra power strips to handle the additional decorations and appliances plugged in throughout the winter. This may seem like an easy solution, but an overloaded outlet can spark or meltdown, putting you and your family at risk of potential injury and your home at risk of fire damage. Consider how to safely balance your electrical usage without overloading your outlets with additional cords and power strips. An electrician can help you determine the appropriate load for your home’s outlets and electrical system.
The snow is not flying yet here in Geauga County, but it will be soon! Make sure you contact Blue Collar Electricians for a pre-winter home inspection. We will thoroughly inspect your home’s electrical wiring and panels and make sure you and your home are ready for the cold.
