5 Things Homeowners Need to Know About Their Electrical Systems

Electrical systems are one of the greatest joys of living in the 21st century. Did you know that in 2020, annual electricity consumption in the US averaged about 10,715 kilowatt-hours per year and 893 kWh per month for residential utility customers? No doubt, most homeowners depend on electrical systems to keep things running smoothly. Speaking of keeping things running smoothly, here are five things every homeowner should know about their electrical system.

Pay Attention If Your Breaker Panel Is Acting Up

It’s not very alarming if your breaker panel trips up now and then. But if it starts going off frequently, you need to sit up and take notice. In most instances, your breaker panel is trying to communicate a message, such as the circuit is being overloaded or it’s become faulty and needs to be replaced. So, you need to act fast to avoid putting your home at risk of fire.

Watch Out for Any Part of Your Electrical System That’s Heating Up

There are many parts of your electrical system that can overheat and this is a cause for concern. For instance, you may feel that your outlets, plugs, and electrical cords are excessively warm to the touch as you’re using them. This can be caused by an overloaded circuit or faulty parts, so be sure to get it checked out to reduce the risk of an electrical fire.

It’s Important to Have Enough Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

With electrical systems, there’s always the risk of an electrical fire developing, however small. To ensure your safety, you should have enough smoke and CO detectors in your home. For best results, contact a professional and have them inspect everything to ensure you have enough detectors and that they have been installed properly and work as expected.

Regular Inspections Are Important

Electrical systems are much more complex than people give them more credit for. Only a trained professional can give you an accurate system of the state of your electrical system. Since electrical systems age with time, an expert will be able to advise on whether it’s time to upgrade and how to keep your home safe.

When it comes to your home’s electrical system, there’s no such thing as being too cautious. That’s why we recommend installing safety outlets in specific rooms plus other upgrades. If you need extra information about how to keep your home safe, please get in touch!