Spring is upon us which means it is the perfect time to rejuvenate and refresh your home, including maintaining your electrical system.
As the days get longer and the temperatures get warmer, there’s a good chance you will start using more electricity to power your air conditioning and other electrical appliances inside and outside your home. That is why it’s important to make sure your electrical system is in full working condition for the coming months.
Falling behind on maintaining your home electrical system could increase your risk of safety hazards, energy inefficiencies, and costly electrical repairs.
At Tudi, we want to provide our customers with all the knowledge they need to take care of their home. Below, we provided a checklist for at-home electrical maintenance to keep your home safe and energy-efficient this spring.
Inspect Indoor Outlets
Making sure all your outlets are working properly in your home is a good place to start your spring electrical maintenance. Inspect your outlets for discoloration, burning odors, signs of melting, or the presents of sparks when plugging in a device. These signs indicate whether your outlets need to be replaced.
If you locate a bad outlet, you should unplug all devices from the outlet then have it looked at by a licensed electrician.
Test GFCI Outlets
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are outlets designed to protect you from electrical shock by shutting off their power when an imbalance in electricity is detected. These can be found in bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoor areas.
- To test these outlets, press the “test” button located on the middle of each outlet. This should shut off the power from the outlet.
- You can then press the “reset” button to restore the power after testing.
- If the power does not shut off during a test run, you should consider getting a licensed electrician to inspect and replace the outlet if needed.
Inspect Your Electrical Panel
As the heart of your home’s electrical system, it’s essential to making sure your electrical panel is working properly.
Check for signs of overheating in your electrical panel, such as discoloration or burning odors. Also, look for any physical damage, like frayed or cracked wires.
If your breakers keep tripping at a frequent rate, this may be a good time to consider upgrading your panel to compensate for your home’s increasing electrical needs.
Test Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Detectors
Another device that you should check on a regular basis are your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors. Since these devices play a crucial role in the safety of you and your household, this is the perfect time to test your detectors.
- Press the “test” button on each unit to ensure that it is functioning properly.
- Make sure to also replace each unit’s battery at least once a year or as needed.
- If you have a detector that is more than 10 years old, you should consider getting it replaced to ensure you have detectors you can depend on.
Inspect Outdoor Electrical Equipment
You should take the time to check your outdoor electrical components from wear and tear before using them in the coming months. Being exposed to the harsh winter elements, means your outdoor electrical components have an increased chance of incurring damage.
Outlets – Check your outlets for rust and damage from the elements and make sure your outlets’ waterproof covers are properly sealed.
Lighting – Test your outdoor lights for dead bulbs and take the time to clean their fixtures from any buildup of dust and debris.
Wires – Make sure all outdoor extension cords and power strips are free of cracks and fraying. Also ensure that all wires you use outdoors are designed for outdoor use and are placed away from areas where they would be exposed to water.
Eliminate Electrical Hazards
In the spirit of spring cleaning, a big step to preventing house fires caused by faulty electrical components is decluttering your home. Scope your house for any electrical hazards that could lead to power surges or house fires if left un-attended.
Some hazards to look out for are damaged wires and power cords, overloaded outlets, appliances that aren’t plugged into properly grounded outlets, and cords crammed under rugs or behind furniture.
Consider Key Upgrades
Spring is a time of renewal, which means it is a great opportunity to consider upgrades to your home’s electrical system.
Energy-Efficient Lighting – Consider swapping out inefficient lightbulbs for LED bulbs that use less energy, last much longer, and produce brighter light.
Whole Home Surge Protection – Protect your home from power surges with whole house surge protection. This device is installed at the home’s main electrical panel and shields your house’s electrical system and devices from powerful spikes in energy.
Electrical Panel Upgrades – If you plan on adding new appliances or your home requires additional electrical capacity, now might be a great time to look at upgrading your electrical panel. In addition to standard electrical panels, there are now smart panels on the market as well. These smart panels can connect to all smart devices in your home, giving you the power to unlock whole-home, room, and appliance energy data designed to lower your energy bill. All at your fingertips on a mobile device.
Schedule A Professional Electrical Inspection
Although everything may seem in be in working order, it’s never a bad idea to get a professional electrician to inspect your house as a second opinion. With an annual electrical inspection from an expert, you can be sure that your home is safe and your electrical system is functioning properly.
At Tudi, our team of electricians can provide comprehensive electrical inspections and maintenance services to ensure your electrical system is operating at peak efficiency all year round.
So, visit our Home Service page today, and set up your next home electrical inspection with one of our experts this spring!