Flickering lights are a common household issue, especially when you start up some of your large appliances. The cause is a sudden and temporary voltage drop, as devices and appliances like your air conditioner and washing machine demand more power.
But while minor and occasional flickering is normal, persistent and severe flickering is anything but. In fact, this usually indicates electrical problems. This article takes a closer look at the reasons your lights flicker when large appliances turn on and when it signals a deeper issue.
What Causes Lights to Flicker When Appliances Turn On?
The motors in large appliances, like your HVAC system, demand a surge in electrical current when they start up. This surge disrupts the steady voltage being supplied to your home, causing a slight voltage drop. Lights, in particular, are the most sensitive to voltage changes. A small reduction in voltage can cause a brief flicker.
Why Your Lights Flicker
Here are some common reasons your lights flicker when you turn on large appliances.
Overloaded Circuits
When you plug too many devices into a circuit, you overload and strain the system. Your lights will flicker when an overloaded circuit can’t supply enough electricity to all the connected devices.
Some warning signs of an overloaded circuit include:
- Tripped breakers
- Warm outlets
- Flickering lights
If you notice any of the above, turn off some of your devices and unplug them. Then move some devices to different circuits.
Incompatible Dimmers or Bulbs
Many older dimmer switches were designed for incandescent bulbs and aren’t compatible with LED bulbs. So when a large appliance kicks on, these incompatible bulbs tend to flicker or pulse. If you think your dimmer is the problem, have one of our electricians in Clearwater upgrade it. You should also test different bulbs to isolate the issue.
Loose Wiring and Electrical Connections
Loose wiring may let in a steady stream of voltage, but it acts like a bottleneck (only letting some voltage through) when there’s a surge of electricity. More importantly, though, loose wiring is an electrical safety hazard. It can cause electrical shorts, increase the risk of arcing, and even cause electrical fires. Some common locations you’ll find loose connections include electrical panels, switches, and outlets. If you suspect you have a loose connection, avoid any DIY solutions and contact our Mister Sparky electrical team in Clearwater.
Electrical Panel Issues
Your electrical panel is responsible for distributing the electricity throughout your home. But if you have an outdated or undersized panel, it won’t be able to handle your household’s electrical load. If your panel is having issues, you may see flickering lights, experience tripped breakers, and even hear crackling sounds. Our electricians in Clearwater can inspect your electrical panel to identify any problems.
Utility Company Voltage Issues
Not all flickering originates from inside the home. Sometimes, a damaged utility line or neighborhood power fluctuations can be the cause. If your neighbors are experiencing similar issues, you may want to contact your utility company.
Normal Flickering vs. Warning Signs
Remember that there are instances where flickering is normal.
Normal Signs
- Brief dimming or flickering lasts less than a second
- Flickering occurs only when one appliance starts
- Your older home experiences mild voltage dips
Signs You May Have an Electrical Problem
- There is frequent flickering throughout the day
- Your lights become noticeably dim
- The flickering affects more than one room
- You hear buzzing sounds from outlets or panels
- There are burning smells or warm outlets
- Circuit breakers trip repeatedly
Can Flickering Lights Damage Your Appliances?
Flickering lights may not affect you much, but it does affect your appliances and electronics.
Repeated voltage drops can slowly degrade the internal components of your sensitive electronics, like your computer or iPad. Over time, this continuous strain can reduce the lifespan of your appliances. Appliance motors are sensitive to voltage drops, too. If the voltage drops, the motor in your appliance must draw more current, creating excess heat. This can damage the internal components and cause more wear and tear.
One way to protect your electronics and appliances is to have our team install surge protectors. We can either install a whole-home surge protector to protect every device and appliance in your home, or we can install individual surge protectors to protect your most valuable electronics.
Ways to Prevent Flickering Lights
If your flickering lights are a cause for concern, you can take some steps to prevent it from happening. Some common solutions include:
- Have our electricians upgrade your outdated electrical system
- Avoid overloading circuits
- Schedule regular electrical inspections with our Mister Sparky team
- Use dedicated circuits for larger appliances
- Have our electricians replace any old wiring
- Install a whole-home surge protector
When It’s Time to Call Our Clearwater Electricians
Flickering lights isn’t always an issue. However, if you notice persistent flickering, burning smells from your outlets, warm outlets, sparks when you plug in a device, or repeated breaker trips, it’s time for an electrical inspection.
When you schedule a professional inspection, we’ll test voltage levels, inspect all your outlets and wiring, upgrade your electrical panel (if necessary), and balance your circuits. We can even add additional outlets if you need them.
We always encourage homeowners in Clearwater to address electrical issues as soon as possible. Immediate repairs prevent electrical shocks or fires. They also ensure those issues don’t turn into costly repair issues later.
Contact our Mister Sparky electrical team in Clearwater when you need professional troubleshooting, house rewiring, surge protection, electrical repairs, electrical panel replacement services, and more. We also provide emergency electrical services when urgent problems pop up.
Don’t put up with any malarky when you’re having electrical problems. Call Mister Sparky in Clearwater, and we’ll send our electricians to your home as quickly as possible.
