You’re sitting in your home, minding your own business—maybe reading or watching TV. Suddenly, your lights flicker. And we’re not just talking about one or two—we’re talking about the lights in a whole section of your home.
What’s going on? Is your house haunted?!
Probably not.
What’s likely going on in this scenario is that your electrical system is trying to tell you something—that it’s overwhelmed. This is a common sign of an outdated electrical panel. Homeowners in our area often don’t think about this, but we’ve been steadily increasing the demand on our electrical systems with the addition of high-efficiency appliances, computer systems, and rechargeable devices over the last couple of decades. If your home is older than this, it’s likely you need an upgrade!
An outdated electrical panel can lead to a number of problems, with some of those problems being potentially unsafe. In addition to flickering lights, you should watch for:
Of all the various problems that can negatively impact your home, electrical problems are among the most dangerous. After all, an air conditioner malfunction can leave you feeling uncomfortable for a while, a plumbing problem can cause damage to a room or two, but an electrical problem can cause electrocution or even fire.
There are a number of projects within your home that can be “do-it-yourself” (DIY) projects, but some typically require the assistance of a trained and experienced professional—such as electrical work.
Perhaps flickering lights in your home is so commonplace that you’ve simply figured it’s “just something that happens.” This may especially be the case if you live in an older home. However, this shouldn’t be acceptable! In fact, you could be putting your home and its occupants in danger. Electrical issues that cause flickering lights can be serious. Electrical fires account for hundreds of injuries each year, through no fault of the homeowner, but are almost entirely preventable.
Whether you own a home or are renting a room, we think it’s important you at least understand the basics of the electrical system in your home, in order to know what to do when something goes wrong. One component of your electrical system that is particularly important is the electrical panel—also referred to as the circuit breaker box. This is responsible for dividing up the electrical power in your living space into circuits.
Of all the various issues that can impact different areas of your home, electrical issues are among the most dangerous. Sure, a plumbing problem can inflict water damage, and an HVAC malfunction can leave you uncomfortable for a day or to, but an electrical malfunction can cause electrocution or even a house fire. It’s essential that you check the wiring in your home at least once every few years. Or rather, have a professional 
Electrical issues tend not to happen too often, thankfully. When they do, however, they have the potential to be devastating. Electrocution, house fires, and other horrible consequences are all possible in cases where electrical issues are allowed to progress far enough. Having a licensed professional check out your electrical system at least once a year is a great way to ensure that it stays in good, safe condition.
