You probably haven’t thought of your home’s electrical system for a while. It’s typical for many homeowners to forget such systems once installed. However, a well-maintained electrical system ensures your routine household activities proceed seamlessly.
During the cold and winter seasons, your electrical systems at home work harder than average. These conditions also sometimes cause power outages and electric damage to your equipment. But you can do a few things to prevent such a situation.
Find time to prepare your electrical system for the cold season. With the items or resources available at www.cablepro.com.au or similar sites, you can adequately make all necessary preparations and ensure your home is electrically ready for the cold season.
Here are some tips on preparing your home’s electrical system for winter.
1. Check Your Electrical Panel
It’s good to have your home’s electrical panel assessed before the winter to identify impending problems. In case of an outage or if any issue arises in the winter, you’ll be prepared.
An electrician will test the different circuit breakers and inform you of any problems needing repairs. Having an electrician catch potential issues in advance is ideal because, if left unattended, these issues may lead to further damage to the other components of your home’s electrical system. This means there will be additional repair costs.
If your electrical panel is installed outside, ensure it’s well covered. Any moisture intake may cause the wires to rust and insulations to deteriorate, potentially causing short circuits. Your electrician should also help you label circuits. Electrical labels will enable you to quickly pinpoint problematic parts of the electrical system.
2. Check And Repair Damaged Wiring Around Your Home
Worn-out wires can be dangerous to your home through short circuits. Wires fray due to corrosion, physical damage, or poor connections. Signs of loose connections include burns, black shadows, a fire smell, or a whizzing sound around the sockets.
Another way to identify problems is to closely inspect wires connecting to any appliances or electronics in your home. If you notice any signs of damage, contact your electrician as soon as possible.
3. Unplug Appliances And Equipment When Not In Use
This may seem like a small thing to do, but it has a considerable effect. Your home utility bills are more likely to hike in the winter due to the additional power and heat needed in your interiors. Disconnecting gadgets, electronics, and appliances when not in use significantly saves electricity, reducing your utility bills.
Another reason to disconnect unused electronics and appliances is to be safe from electrical disasters. As you know, electricity and moisture don’t go together. Winters are typically characterized by precipitation throughout the day, increasing the chances of electrical faults.
4. Buy A Surge Protector
Surge protectors are vital during winter. They help prevent electrical fires and spikes brought about by power surges resulting from storms or lightning hits. Surges can damage electrical gadgets connected to the wall outlets and render them non-functional.
Surge protectors block excessive current from flowing through electrical appliances. They comprise a metal oxide varistor that helps divert extra voltage to maintain a consistent power level on connected devices.
5. Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Breakers
To secure your home from electrical hazards, consider installing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) that go along with power outlets in your home. A GFCI breaker is an automated device that’ll shut down power in case of an electrical hazard.
For instance, if water gets into a socket, the GFCI breaker will be automatically activated and stop the power functionality until it’s restored using the breaker button control. It’d be best to hire expert electrical contractors to install this device because of the intricate connections needed.
6. Inspect Your Heating System And Thermostat
Whether you use individual heaters or a furnace to heat your rooms, you’ll probably depend on electricity to warm up during winter. Similar to gas furnaces, these systems require electrical power to keep the fan running.
Your heating system isn’t just for your warmth and comfort. It’s also there to sustain the right conditions for other house systems. For example, if your heating system or furnace crashes, it exposes your plumbing pipes to cold temperatures. Chill temperatures may cause pipes to burst.
A faulty heating system may increase energy expenditure in your home. If you don’t want your heating system to collapse, ensure that the thermostat is in excellent working condition. Before winter comes, examine your batteries and install new ones if needed. Also, replace defective batteries immediately.
Conclusion
Preparing your electrical system for winter helps you avoid electrical fires and guarantees the functionality of all system components throughout the season. So, hire a professional electrician as needed and make sure to use only high-quality electrical products for any repair or replacement projects.