Electrical appliances such as computers, refrigerators, and many more, all run on electricity. While our homes are not filled with enough items to regularly overload the system, they usually need some maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Follow these home electrical maintenance guidelines to maintain your house’s safety and efficiency.
- Aging appliances need replacing
If you’ve lived in your home for more than ten years and have older electrical appliances that you do not use anymore, it might be time to replace them. Old appliances will eventually start causing problems from issues such as power surges from too much electricity going through them or age-related breakdowns that can cause shocks or fires. By replacing your old appliances with new ones, you can improve the looks and feel of the room and prevent further damage to your existing electrical system.
Inspecting, repairing, and replacing electrical outlets: Electrical outlets are vital to any home’s electrical system. Inspect them frequently for corrosion or other problems that could cause a fire hazard if left untreated. Replace as needed or as recommended by a qualified electrician.
- Using surge protectors
Surge protectors are devices that plug into your electrical outlet to prevent power surges from damaging your home’s electrical system (power surges can be caused by areas of high lightning activity, storms, or other causes). Some surge protectors will decrease the amount of electricity going through a particular appliance by as much as 90%, so it will use less energy and save you money.
- Installing a ground fault circuit interrupter
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is used to warn you of a problem with the electrical system. The GFCI detects any shock coming from the cable that connects your home’s electrical panel to lamp holders or outlets and blocks the electric power in case of a ground fault. It guarantees the safety of your home in the event of a fault. GFCIs ensure that all currents coming out of the electrical outlet go back into the wall socket safely. Water and plumbing fixtures form an excellent path to the ground, so an additional safety feature of GFCI is required.
- Testing the electrical system
Before any work is done on your home’s electrical system, it must be tested for proper functionality by a qualified electrician. It will ensure that there are no leaks or uncontrolled fires before they occur.
If you do not hire a professional electrician, make sure to test the system yourself by using a circuit tester. If no open circuits or power surges coming through an electrical system, it will help prevent any fires or shock hazards.
- Check for loose wires
After moving into your new home, it is essential to check for loose cables. Loose electrical wiring might be caused by damage due to another source, such as lightning. Anything around your home that could cause excess heat can potentially start a fire. Be sure to repair any faulty electrical connections all damaged wires before you begin using any appliances again.
- Be sure that ovens work properly
Ovens are handy kitchen appliances but do not often get the proper care they need. Poorly maintained ovens can cause fires from overheating, as well as damage to electrical wires. To prevent these issues from occurring, make sure that your oven thermostat is in a safe setting, and any other household appliances should have a thermostat installed for safety purposes.
- Make sure refrigerator doors close properly
When you open your refrigerator, the cold air that keeps your food fresh is pushed out and replaced by the warm air in the room. Your refrigerator’s compressor then pushes the hot air out to bring the temperature down, increasing your monthly energy bill and your environmental footprint increase.
So whether you are cooking dinner, unloading groceries, or looking for breakfast, be sure to keep the refrigerator door closed. By keeping the door closed, you reduce your electricity bill and extend the life of your refrigerator. Close it and let it cool!
- Properly maintaining small electrical appliances
Small household appliances with no power requirements can cause problems by using too much electricity or draining too much power from your home’s electrical system. If needed, turning off small appliances when not in use is a great way to prevent your home’s electrical bills from skyrocketing.
Conclusion
Follow the maintenance guidelines we’ve provided to ensure your home is safe and efficient. Don’t wait until it’s too late, as a power outage can be very inconvenient for you and those living in your house. Contact a licensed professional today if you need help with any of these tasks or want someone else to take care of them on an ongoing basis. They will walk you through some simple steps and tell you what services they can offer to keep your electrical appliances running smoothly.