Why Are My Lights Flickering?

The electrical system of any home can be a complex part. While electrical systems are designed to last, most people will incur some issues along the way when owning a home. A common issue that people could experience at home is if the lights in their homes are flickering. When troubleshooting flickering lights, there are various causes that should be considered.

Light Bulb Is Loose

One of the most common reasons your lights are flickering at home is that the light bulb is too loose. Your light bulbs should be screwed in securely to your light fixtures. If they are not, they will start to loosen naturally. Eventually, the connection weakens, and it could lose its electricity based on the fixture’s movements. When this happens, it can cause the lights to flicker. This is easy to fix by simply tightening the bulbs.

Circuits Are Overloaded

If you live in an older home with an electrical system that has not been upgraded, you always need to be careful about how much electricity you use in one room. If you have a light in one room that frequently flickers for more than a few seconds, it could be due to an overloaded circuit. This is likely the case if the flickering starts when you begin to use an electrical appliance on the same circuit. If this occurs, you may need to consider your electrical use or upgrade your system.

Issues With Light Bulbs

The types and quality of light bulbs have changed a lot over the past few decades. As more people invest in LED and energy-efficient bulbs, it can start to put more stress on your electrical systems. It is important to ensure that the bulbs you select are compatible with your fixtures and dimmer switches. If they are not compatible, it could cause flickering. Switching back to the old bulbs can help determine if they are the cause of the flickering.

If the lights in your home are flickering, it is important to determine the cause. If you cannot make the repair easily on your own, it is important to receive professional support. When you call a professional for residential electrical repair, you will get further insight into the cause of the flickering and can receive any type of repair you need. This will help ensure that your electrical system is as reliable as possible. 

Categorised in: Electrical Issues