The charm of Fort Collins for many is being able to fix up some of the older homes in some of the original sections of the town. That charm may go away when you see the lights flicker. You may be tempted to call the Ghostbusters, but you’ll likely fare better when a Fort Collins Electrician ensures the house’s light-flickering days come to an end. Call King Electric, LLC today to get a free quote: (970) 829-5464
Call the King of Fort Collins Electrician services: King Electric, LLC
Why are the lights flickering, you ask? The answer could be as easy as a loose bulb, or as complicated as aging and frayed wires. Many homes in Old Town and the surrounding areas were built more than 40 years ago. That was back when the most electrically intense part of our home was simply lighting the rooms, powering old refrigerators, and perhaps some air conditioning. Despite energy-efficient appliances, many of us now have multiple devices and small appliances that compete for electricity in our homes. Altogether, they may need more electricity than your home has the ability to provide.
A common culprit in older homes is that the circuit panel is overloaded. Older panels handle smaller loads than what we put our home through each day. When you find yourself plugging in extension cords and filling up all the outlets, you may be taxing your home’s system a bit too much. In some cases, it can create a fire hazard. It’s time to call a Fort Collins electrician.
Fort Collins Electrician Approved Tips for Reducing Fire Hazards in Older Homes
In addition to not overloading your circuit panel, it’s important to make sure that you are doing everything possible to reduce your fire hazard risk when it comes to electrical components. In what ways can you reduce your risk? Take a look at a few ways that can decrease the chance of a fire and maybe even save your life!
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Have an electrician conduct an inspection
If your home is more than 40 years old, it’s a good idea to call in a Fort Collins electrician to ensure that all the wiring is functioning properly. Wiring is not designed to last forever, so there may be some potential fire hazards that have gone unnoticed by previous homeowners but could be dangerous. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to call a local electrician who can determine if the wiring needs to be fixed or replaced altogether to meet your current energy needs.
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Fully update your electrical system
You may find after an inspection that your home is in need of some new wiring to bring it up to code and meet your energy needs. Many older homes were built with aluminum wiring, which has a greater risk of overheating than the modern wiring used today. Consistent overheating can lead to a fire if not corrected. Consider your safety by calling a Fort Collins electrician to assist in updating your electrical infrastructure so that your risk of fire is reduced.
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Replace older outlets with GFCI outlets
If you are finding that you’re always running out of outlets to plug your devices into, another great way to prevent fires in older homes is by having your Fort Collins electrician install additional GFCI outlets into your home. GFCI, which stands for ground-fault interrupter outlet, can greatly reduce the risk of fires and overheating in an older home. By installing more sockets and upgrading to GFCI outlets, your home will thank you for spreading out the electrical burden.
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Watch for sparks or flickering lights
While flickering lights can be caused by a number of things, if you notice that flickering is becoming prevalent in your home, it is time to call a Fort Collins electrician to decrease your risk of an electrical fire. Another sign that your home may be at risk for a fire is if you hear buzzing coming from an outlet. If you see either of these in your older home, don’t wait to call in a professional. In the meantime, disconnect any plugs from the outlet and turn off the light until an electrician can ensure that the fire danger has been removed.
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Upgrade to newer appliances
Just like the wiring in your home, appliances are not made to last forever. You can have the best electrical system in the world, but if you are using appliances with frayed electrical cords, your device is causing unusual flickering when in use, or you see sparks flying when you turn on an appliance, it’s a good idea to replace them. Any of these signs might be an indication of an electrical fire that is just around the corner, so reduce your risk by retiring these appliances and upgrading to newer ones.
Whether you have an older home or a newer build, remember that it’s always a good idea to inspect your electrical components when in question. It’s better to be safe than worry about the hassles and dangers of dealing with an electrical fire. We hope that you’ll consider King Electric LLC for your inspection or fire hazard reduction services such as outlet upgrades or electrical system updates.
Home energy/battery storage
With the increased demand on the electrical grid, more homeowners are moving toward storing their own power. We are seeing new products and ideas for home energy storage on a regular basis. Contact us to discuss your needs, options, and solutions.
Electrical services, electrical repairs, and installations for Fort Collins and Northern Colorado
No matter how large or intricate your project is, King Electric LLC is a remodel electrician and new construction electrician you can turn to in Fort Collins, Greeley, CO, and surrounding areas. Our team can complete the electrical work for any type of residential or commercial space, including:
- Houses
- Apartments
- Campus housing units
- Clubhouses
- Hotels
- Condos
- EV Charger Installations & Home Electrification
Rewiring your own home may backfire; call the pros at King Electric, LLC
If you’re a DIY enthusiast, rewiring your own home is a job you may want to rethink. Investigating and identifying the cause of flickering lights could result in a serious shock – literally and figuratively. Besides the danger of actually getting shocked, sticker shock may hit you next. Without the proper training, you could unintentionally drive up your costs.
This is a problem that calls for the professionals at King Electric, LLC. Our owner and Master Electrician Fabian Flores has 20+ years of industry experience. He has worked on projects in Colorado, Texas, North Dakota, Utah & Wyoming. With our team of electrical contractors, your home electrification needs will be done to your satisfaction.
Rest assured. You’ll no longer have to unplug the espresso maker, the fan, or your flattening iron to safely make it through another weekend with some light by which to read or study. If money is a concern, we offer financing.
Qmerit Certification is the industry stamp of approval of excellence
At King Electric, LLC, we’re especially proud of our Qmerit certification. Only select electrical service providers earn the exclusive Qmerit certification, a symbol of excellence in electrification. You can depend on Qmerit-certified partners to provide trusted installation solutions that meet the highest standards for safety and service quality.
King Electric, LLC is conveniently located in Fort Collins and services residential and commercial customers throughout Northern Colorado; and as far south as Thornton. We’re perfectly situated to handle your electrical needs at fair prices. Learn more about us here.
So when your lights flicker, leave the ghost-busting to the actors and trust the professional electrical contractor team at King Electric, LLC to get the job done right.
