Why Lights in Your Home May Be Flickering

Best Home Services’ Electricians Shed Some Light on the Subject

We’ve all likely looked at a flickering light and had a momentary flicker of concern. The occasional flicker is normal, especially if you have fluorescent or LED lighting in your house. It’s not uncommon to notice LED lights flickering right after you turn them on or right after you dim them if they’re connected to a dimmer switch. If you’ve noticed it’s been happening more frequently than that, it’s probably worth investigating just to be on the safe side. BHS’ certified electricians in Southwest Florida are here to set the record straight on why lights in your home may be flickering. Flickering lights usually indicate one of five things. You could have a loose light bulb or light plug, or maybe you bought the wrong type of bulb for your switch. Faulty light or dimmer switches could be the culprit, or you’ve likely overloaded your electrical circuits by having too many appliances on at once. However, the most serious cause for light flickering could be a voltage fluctuation caused by faulty electrical wiring or an electrical leak.

  1. You Have a Loose Light Bulb or Light Plug

Are you only experiencing issues with one light flickering? Chances are good you have a loose light bulb or light plug. Check to ensure the light bulb is screwed securely in place. If that doesn’t work, consider changing the light bulb. It could be flickering because it’s time for a replacement bulb. You could also have a loose connection between the plug and your electrical outlet. Check to make sure it’s plugged in securely. You may want to unplug it, adjust the plug’s metal prongs, and plug it back into the outlet. An electrical current flows through your light bulbs. Any interruptions in this transfer of energy caused by loose connections may result in a flickering electrical current and a flickering source of light.

  1. You Bought the Wrong Type of Light Bulb

If your light is still flickering, it’s time to examine what type of light bulbs you bought. Dimmer switches are designed to withstand a certain amount of high voltage, meaning low-voltage LED lights may not always be the most compatible. You may just need to switch to dimmable light bulbs to avoid flickering.

  1. You Have a Faulty Light or Dimmer Switch

By now, you may be tired of troubleshooting but hang in there. The next item you should check is the light or dimmer switch. There could be a loose connection between the bulb and your light switch. If the light flickers when you wiggle the switch, it’s probably time to replace your light or dimmer switch.

  1. You’ve Overloaded Your Electrical Circuits

If you’ve noticed that your lights seem to flicker whenever a specific appliance comes on, such as your washing machine, there’s a valid reason for this. Minor flickering is normal whenever a large appliance powers up because it temporarily causes a drop in your voltage. If, however, this flickering lasts longer than that or becomes more severe, you may be consistently overloading your electrical circuits. There could also be something wrong with the appliance itself. Either way, it’s probably time to call an expert. One other possibility for an overloaded circuit could be your neighbors, as you likely share a transformer with neighboring homes. An electrician should be able to pinpoint the source of your issue for sure.

  1. You Have Faulty Electrical Wiring or a Leak

If nothing has seemed to work so far, you likely need to call in a certified electrician. Voltage fluctuations could be causing your lights to flicker or burn out frequently. While slight voltage fluctuations are to be expected, your home should average 115-125 volts when measured by a device called a voltmeter. If your reading exceeds this number, you could have faulty electrical wiring or even an electrical leak to blame. Faulty, loose, or outdated wiring is no joking matter, as it’s often the cause for many house fires. Lights flickering throughout your entire Southwest Florida home could also indicate an issue with your meter box connection. Call your local utility company to report any issues right away.

Avoid a Blackout with Whole-House Surge Protection Today

If flickering lights during Southwest Florida’s severe storms concern you, BHS would be happy to help you install whole-house surge protection or standby generators. When lightning strikes or a power service interruption plagues the neighborhood, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you have protected appliances and a consistent power source. We’ll walk you through the best brands and warranties, including Surge Assure, with honest upfront pricing for our expert installation.

Certified Electricians Serving Tampa, Sarasota, & Other Areas

Don’t wait until those flickering lights have gone completely out to call BHS. Our local certified electricians in Southwest Florida specialize in everything from installing new lighting solutions and hooking up electrical appliances to replacing unsafe wiring as part of our electrical services. We have emergency electricians available around the clock to address whatever flickering issue you may be experiencing. Please contact us today to speak with one of our friendly residential electricians!

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