Safe and efficient electrical systems in homes not only save hundreds of dollars every year but also ensure the safety of your home and family. Residents need to be aware of several electrical challenges in Flagstaff, Arizona. First, monsoon storms can play a big part in electrical safety. If your home or grid gets struck by lightning, having the functioning systems in place will help prevent electrical fires and power surges, which can damage electrical equipment and wreak havoc on your home. Another challenge that is unique to the Flagstaff area is that out of the estimated 27,100 homes built in Flagstaff approximately 21,000 of those have electrical systems that are 30 years or older. That’s over 77% of homes that should look into replacing their electrical system to be fitted for modern-day electrical codes!
According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Electrical failures or malfunctions were the second leading cause of electrical home fires in 2015–2019, accounting for 13% of home structure fires. Three in ten fires (30%) involving electrical failure or malfunction occurred in the cold weather months from November through February.”
Residential electrical safety is something that we take very seriously at Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions. Let’s dive into some signs to be on the lookout for if your home is in need of an electrical upgrade!
5 Signs Your Electrical System Needs an Upgrade
We know updating your electrical system is a large upfront investment, so while you might start saving for your electrical upgrade, here are some signs to be mindful of that may require an immediate upgrade. Of course, if you’re experiencing any of these issues, feel free to give us a call, and we’re more than happy to discuss some temporary solutions to mitigate them.
Sign 1: Frequent Electrical Surges
An electrical surge is a brief, unexpected increase in voltage or current in an electrical circuit. Surges can happen for multiple reasons, like a lightning strike, a downed power line, power outages, or faulty wiring. You might also notice that a breaker keeps tripping due to these power surges. Frequent surges are more than likely going to be the result of faulty wiring – either from damaged, exposed, or improperly installed wiring. If you’re experiencing frequent power surges, please give us a call so that we can get to the bottom of the issue!
Sign 2: Flickering or Dimming Lights
While you may be thinking you just bought a house that has a ghost, there might be some other reasons your lights flicker on and off at random times! The most common causes of flickering or dimming lights are loose bulbs, loose wiring, circuit overload, voltage fluctuations, and loose connections. The most common cause of flickering lights is a circuit overload, which can happen if there’s too much current in the circuit, which can be caused by too many outlets in one area. If this is something that you’re experiencing, we can definitely help by taking a look at your current electrical load and what your home is wired for.
Sign 3: Tripping Circuit Breakers
A circuit breaker is an electrical switch that automatically interrupts the flow of electricity to protect electrical circuits from damage caused by short circuits, overloads, or ground faults. If you’re experiencing a circuit breaker that continuously trips but you’re unsure of the cause, that could be a sign that your electrical system isn’t working properly and something is malfunctioning along the way.
Sign 4: Burning Smell or Scorch Marks
If you’re noticing a burning smell or scorch mark near an outlet, that’s a sign that you need to contact a qualified electrician right away! This is the beginning of an electrical fire and it needs to be addressed immediately. We recommend shutting off the power to that section of the house and calling a qualified electrician to come take a look. This is one of the reasons that we offer 24/7 emergency service and are always willing to come out – rain or shine, night or day to help keep you and your family safe!
Sign 5: Outdated Electrical Panels and Outlets
Outdated electrical panels can be pretty common in Flagstaff due to the fact that 77% of homes in the area were built more than 30 years ago. Here are some identifying features to take note of if you need to upgrade your electrical panel:
- Any signs of rust that could indicate that the panel may be compromised
- A panel from a brand that is no longer in business is another good indicator that it’s time for an upgrade
- If your panel is fused-based instead of circuit-based, it’s time to give us a call!
- A breaker that continues to trip is another good indicator, especially if you’ve recently plugged in a new appliance and your current panel isn’t handling the electrical load well
- If you open the panel and it smells like something is burning, it’s time to call our emergency line!
The Impact of Flagstaff’s Weather on Your Electrical System
If you’ve lived in Flagstaff for any amount of time, you know our weather has a mind of its own, especially when it comes to summer monsoons and winter storms. Not only do we have to learn to adapt, but our electrical system can sometimes take a hit depending on the weather. Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to your home’s electrical system and navigating storms.
Summer Monsoons
Monsoon storms usually bring a lot of rain, thunder, and lightning. With heavy rainfall, it’s possible that rain can get into places it usually doesn’t and seep into electrical cords and outlets, leading to short-circuiting your electrical system. If you notice any roof leaks or puddles inside your home during a monsoon storm, it’s important to turn off the power and call an electrician to check on the wiring of your home and ensure that it’s safe.
Lightning strikes can cause power surges that can damage electronics plugged into outlets. Because of this, we always recommend plugging your electronic devices into a surge strip or surge protector, just in case!
Winter Weather
Winter weather can also take a toll on your home’s electrical system. From the potential of snow, ice, or rain seeping through cracks and causing short circuits to increase electrical load from shorter days and longer nights, plus the increase of space heaters. There’s a whole lot that can go wrong! A great way to prevent any electrical mishap during winter is to properly insulate your home and ensure that it’s well weatherproofed from any water leaking in.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Electrical System
There are many benefits to upgrading your electrical system! For starters, your home will be safer, and you’ll be at a much smaller risk of electrical fires or any other hazards. You’ll also benefit from improved energy efficiency, overall increased home value (if you want to sell your home in the future), and more options for installing high-efficiency appliances.
Steps to Take for an Electrical Upgrade
If you’re ready to upgrade your electrical system or want to know if you even need to upgrade your electrical system, here are some steps that you’ll walk through during this process:
- Electrical Inspection – Call us or a certified and trusted electrician to inspect your current wiring system. Communicate any issues you’re having, and we’ll inspect your current electrical panel and wiring system.
- Electrical Consultation – Based on the initial electrical inspection, we’ll talk you through any updates or changes that will need to be made to your electrical system, why those changes are important, the timeframe for these upgrades, and the estimated cost.
- Plan and Budget for the Upgrade – We completely understand that upgrading your entire electrical system can be costly. Please let us know your budget and what you’re comfortable with, and we’ll talk through some options that we may have, depending on your specific situation and home. Another solution is to call your homeowners insurance company and see what they can cover to upgrade the electrical system of your home!
- Our number one priority is to keep you and your family safe, if you have any questions during this process or about setting up an initial consultation, don’t hesitate to reach out or learn more on our website!
Partnering with Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions
Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions is here and ready to help you keep your home safe from any electrical harm. If you’re feeling a bit uncertain about how electrically safe your home currently is, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We’ll walk through your home and point out anything that is not up to code! Our number one goal is to keep you and your family safe. That’s why we offer 24/7 service in the event of an emergency. Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions has your back!
