If you’ve ever had to deal with a flickering light, you know how annoying it can be. In some cases, the problem can be ignored if you have an alternative light source and can just turn the flickering light off. In other cases, the flickering is coming from the one light in the room, which means that you’re stuck with it and the headache it will give you.
Flickering lights in your home are definitely a problem that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. If you’re lucky, the problem is caused by something that can be fixed easily such as a loose lightbulb. If you’re not, you’ll need to call an electrician to your home to take a look at your wiring to see if you have a larger problem. Electricity problems are no joke, and they can be extremely dangerous if you try to fix them yourself.
That being said, let’s take a look at why your lights may be flickering, what you can do about it, and when you should call a professional for help.
A Loose or Incompatible Lightbulb
One common cause of a flickering light is a loose lightbulb. Simply put, if a lightbulb isn’t screwed in tightly enough, there won’t be a strong enough connection to its fixture to keep it lit consistently, hence the flickering.
If the flickering is caused by a loose bulb, the bulb itself will be the only flickering light. Turn off the light, make sure the bulb is screwed in tightly, and turn the light back on. That should solve your problem. If it doesn’t, you might not be using the right kind of bulb in the fixture or lamp. For example, a lightbulb that is intended for indoor use might flicker when used in an outdoor light fixture. A lightbulb installed on a dimmer switch might also flicker if the switch and the bulb aren’t compatible. If you suspect this is the case, pay attention to which bulb on the switch is flickering. Turn off the switch, remove the bulb, and replace it with a bulb that is compatible with the switch.
As for outdoor lighting, that’s just a matter of using the correct lightbulbs. Standard incandescent bulbs can be used outdoors as long as they aren’t exposed to the rain, but LED bulbs that are rated for outdoor use are best.
Loose Connections
A loose connection can also cause a light to flicker. If you suspect this is the case with a lamp, check the plug itself. If the plug is loose in the outlet, unplug it, adjust the metal prongs carefully, and plug it back in. If that doesn’t stop the flickering, the problem might be in the outlet itself. Try other lamps in the outlet to see if they have the same problem, and look for signs of a faulty outlet such as buzzing sounds, discoloration around the outlet, or the smell of burning plastic.
In some cases, you can fix a loose connection within an electrical outlet by removing the face plate around the outlet and tightening the connections inside, but we recommend leaving that job to a professional. Stop using an outlet if it isn’t working properly and call an electrician for assistance.
Too Many Appliances on One Circuit
The most common cause of flickering lights is having too many large appliances on the same circuit as the lights. This is especially common in older homes that weren’t built with modern appliances and devices in mind. Refrigerators, air conditioners, space heaters, and dishwashers all use a lot of electricity, especially when they start up. This is why you might see your lights dim or flicker momentarily when your AC kicks on or when you start your dishwasher. If you suspect this is the cause of your problems, look for patterns in your flickering lights. If they flicker or dim every time one of your appliances starts up, you’ve likely found the problem.
Unfortunately, there really isn’t an easy fix for appliances that cause your lights to flicker, especially if you live in an older home that hasn’t had its wiring updated recently. You can try to rearrange where your appliances are plugged in to see if that solves the problem, but ultimately, you will need to upgrade your electrical panel and install additional circuits to handle the appliance loads.
Damaged Wiring
Damaged wiring can cause your lights to flicker, especially in older homes. Wiring and electrical connections can degrade as they age, so keep this in mind if you live in an older home with flickering lights. Wiring can also be damaged by animals such as rats and squirrels that get into your home or even by a nail or screw going into the wrong part of a wall.
If your wiring is damaged, it will need to be repaired by an experienced electrician. They will need to take a look at your wiring to see the problem, but you can keep an eye out for signs such as frayed wires, scorch marks near your outlets and switches, and damaged insulation on electrical cords.
In some cases, the damaged wiring isn’t even in your home. Things like downed trees or severe weather can damage the power lines in your neighborhood and cause electrical issues for you and your neighbors. Check to see if any other homes near you are having electrical issues, especially if your neighborhood has been recently hit by severe weather. Unfortunately, if this is the case, there’s not a lot you can do aside from contacting your electric company to ask about repairs. Chances are that they are aware of the problem and are working to fix it, but it might be worth making a phone call anyway. At the very least, you might be able to get an update on the situation and find out when everything will be fixed.
Call Liberty Comfort Systems for Assistance
While flickering lights can sometimes be fixed by changing a lightbulb or adjusting a plug in an electrical socket, they can be a sign of more serious electrical problems that need to be addressed by an electrician. It could be that there is some damaged wiring that needs to be replaced, or you might need an upgrade for your electrical panel. If you suspect that this is the case, Liberty Comfort Systems will be happy to assist you with an electrical inspection. We are a family-owned and operated HVAC and electrical contractor that has served Anoka, MN and the surrounding areas since 2004, and we are capable of providing a wide range of electrical services to homeowners throughout the region. We treat every one of our customers like family, and we will always go the extra mile to ensure that your home is safe and free of flickering lights and other electrical issues.
For more information about our electrical services or if you want to get to the bottom of your lighting problems, contact Liberty Comfort Systems in Anoka today. We will be happy to answer all of your questions and assist you in any way that we can.
