What Is Causing Flickering Lights In My Home?

Lights flickering in the home are often disconcerting since they can imply a major issue that needs attention immediately. Sometimes, however, there is an easier explanation for the problem. Homeowners experiencing flickering lights will want to consider where it’s happening, how frequently it happens, and what is happening when the lights start to flicker. If the cause is unknown, it’s important to call for help immediately, as this could be a sign of a fire hazard in the home. 

Lightbulb is Loose

A loose lightbulb is likely the easiest explanation for a flickering light. If only one light is flickering, try taking the bulb out and putting it in again. There may not have been a good enough connection to allow the light to get the power it needs to stay lit. By reinstalling it, it’s possible to fix the connection and make sure the light stops flickering. While this is a possible cause if there are only one or two that are flickering, if there are more, this might not be the problem. 

Light Switch is Failing

Light switches work by allowing power to reach the light when they’re turned on and disconnecting the power when they’re turned off. If the light switch is failing, it may end up disconnecting the power even though no one has flipped the switch, then allowing the power to flow to the light again. This can appear as flickering lights and can be slow or rapid. When this is the problem, professional lighting repair is the solution. A professional can easily replace the light switch with one that’s working correctly so the lights won’t flicker anymore. 

Equipment is Failing

Equipment throughout the house relies on power to work properly. Some equipment, like home appliances, is left plugged in all the time. When one of these goes bad, it can start pulling more power than usual to work correctly. The extra draw of power may result in the breaker flipping. However, it can also result in lights flickering whenever the equipment is used. If the lights only flicker when the vacuum is running, for instance, it may be time to repair or replace the vacuum so it works properly and won’t cause issues with the electricity in the home. 

Incorrect Dimmer Switches

Dimmer switches are designed to control the amount of power that reaches the light bulb. Less power typically means a dimmer light. If the lights in the home have recently been switched to LED lights, though, the dimmer switches may not work properly and can lead to flickering. The reason for this is that LED lights work differently and don’t pull power to illuminate the same way as older bulbs. To solve this problem, have a Littleton electrician remove and replace the current dimmer switches with ones that are compatible with the LED bulbs. Once this is done, the lights will work as expected, and there won’t be any more flickering. 

Loose Electrical Connections

When electrical connections are loose, they do not provide the right amount of power throughout the home. A light switch that isn’t properly connected, for instance, may not receive enough power to keep the lights on, which can cause them to flicker. Along with being an annoyance, this could be a sign that a fire might occur inside the home. If the connections are loose, sparks might occur, which could start a fire inside the walls of the home.

Loose electrical connections should always be handled by a trusted electrician. It is important to check the home for any loose connections and repair all of them to help prevent a fire in the home. Loose connections can be anywhere, from the breaker box to the outlets or switches in a room. An electrician can make sure they’re all repaired, protecting the home and its occupants. 

Overloaded Circuit

Circuits are designed to limit the amount of electricity that flows through them. The goal for this is to make sure there isn’t a huge power surge that will damage anything connected to the circuit. When there is more power than the circuit can handle, it can cause the circuit breaker to flip. If there’s only a little bit of extra power that the circuit can’t handle, it might not be enough to flip the breaker. It will, though, end up causing the lights to flicker. Unplugging items to reduce the load on the circuit can fix the issue, but an electrician might be needed to upgrade the breaker, so it doesn’t happen again. 

Flickering lights have numerous causes, and the repairs needed can vary from simple to more extensive. If any of the lights in your home are flickering, now’s the time to call for help. Waiting can be hazardous, as flickering could be a sign of a major electrical concern or a fire hazard in the home. Contact MZ Electric today to get to the bottom of the issue and make sure it’s fixed completely.