If you’re like most homeowners, you probably enjoy your peace and relaxation at home after a long day at work. But lately, perhaps you’ve been feeling anything but relaxed when you’re in your house. You’ve been noticing that the lights have been flickering on and off, and it’s becoming an annoyance, and making everyone uncomfortable. So what’s causing this issue in your home?
Here are some of the possible causes of flickering lights in your home and what to do to fix this common problem.
Overloaded Electrical Circuits
When you turn on a large electrical appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner or microwave, you may notice your lights flicker. Many household devices use more electricity than their circuits are designed to handle. This can cause the circuit breaker panel to trip and reset, which forces the lights to flicker for a moment until the overload is corrected.
If this is the only thing causing your lights to flicker, it’s not a big deal. You may need a professional to come and do an electrical panel upgrade to correct the overload. However, if you have flickering lights even when no power-hungry appliances are operating, you may want to call an electrician to look for other potential issues.
Faulty Light Fixtures
One of the first things you should check when experiencing flickering lights in your home is your light fixtures. Faulty light fixtures are most often the cause of flickering lights. For example, if you have a fluorescent light fixture, it may be time to replace the bulb or ballast. If you have an incandescent light fixture, you may need to clean the light socket or tighten the screws on the light fixture.
If you’ve ruled out all of the above possibilities and are still experiencing flickering lights, it’s time to call in a professional. A qualified electrician can help you determine if an underlying problem with your wiring or electrical system is causing the issue.
Defective Light Switches
Another possible cause of flickering lights in your home is defective light switches. If you have an old light switch that’s been flicking on and off, it might be time to replace it with a new one. Switches can wear out over time, so replacing them every few years can help prevent problems like this from happening.
A broken connection or loose wires within the light switch itself could also be causing the flicker. Loose switches can also be a fire hazard, so it’s vital to have them fixed as soon as possible if you’re experiencing this issue. Unless you’re a qualified electrician, it’s best to call in an expert to take a look at the switch and fix it if needed.
Problems With the Electrical Wiring in Your Home
Electrical wiring issues in your home can also cause flickering lights. Aging wires, loose connections, and poor electrical grounding are just some of the reasons that you might see your lights flickering. This can be a dangerous issue as it can also lead to electrical fires. Wiring problems can be caused by a variety of things, from poor wiring to bad weather.
Failing to address electrical wiring problems can also damage appliances due to power surges. Most of the time, you don’t notice wiring problems as they occur slowly over time. However, if you notice any flickering at all in your lights or the power goes out completely for no reason and then comes back on, call an electrician right away to address the issue before it becomes a bigger and more dangerous problem.
Upgrade Your Old Lighting Fixtures
Finally, if you have old lighting fixtures, replacing them with modern lighting fixtures may be necessary to correct the problem. Old light bulbs can flicker on their own, creating a strobe effect in your home. Replace these old fluorescent lights with new LED or CFL lights that are guaranteed not to flicker, since they often have internal ballasts built into them. Newer incandescent bulbs are also less likely to flicker.
If you have tried figuring out what the problem is with your lighting and they are still flickering, it may be time to call an electrician to take a look.
