When you start asking the question “Why are the lights in my house flickering?” you may feel like you’ve been watching too many horror movies. However, having apprehension over your home’s blinking lights is not paranoia.
Your lights flickering could be due to a loose connection in just that circuit or an overload on that circuit. A light can occasionally flicker if the bulb and socket don’t fit properly.
Why Are My Lights Flickering?
1. Loose Light Bulb
Light bulbs that are loose in their sockets will receive an inconsistent supply of power, which can cause a flickering effect. Turning off the light is an easy solution to this issue. Wait until the light bulb has cooled before handling it if it has an incandescent or CFL light bulb. Before turning your lamp back on or your light fixture, gently tighten the bulb in its socket.
2. Type of Light Bulb
Speaking of light bulbs, the type of bulb you are using might be the cause of the flickering. If this is the case, you can easily and safely treat your flickering light syndrome.
For example, fluorescent bulbs frequently flicker when the room is cold (as on a typical Calgary winter day) or when the lights are turning on. If you find this annoying, think about switching out your fluorescent bulbs for another kind of bulb.
Another illustration is the use of fluorescent or LED light bulbs with dimmers that are incompatible. If you use an LED bulb with a traditional dimmer switch that is made for incandescent or halogen bulbs, the LED bulb will flicker. Using the proper kind of dimmers is crucial. Installing dimmable LED bulbs and LED dimmers that work with them will solve this issue.
3. Circuit Overload
When you turn on a device like your microwave or dishwasher, do your lights occasionally start to flicker? If so, your circuit may be overloaded due to the higher electrical current demands made by these appliances during startup.
Frequent, short-lived flickering is usually not a serious issue, but if the issue persists or lasts longer than a few seconds, you might need to upgrade or install new electrical circuits in these locations.
4. Voltage Change
Although the electrical voltage in your home may occasionally change slightly, it should never exceed 125 volts. Voltage change outside this range is problematic and should be diagnosed by a professional electrician.
Signs of severe voltage fluctuation include:
- Lights flickering or dimming when you switch on large appliances
- Flickering continues even after you have turned the appliance off
- Light switch dim at unexpected times
- Light bulbs burn out more quickly than normal
- Appliances or electronics shutting off or malfunctioning
5. Loose Wiring
Is the flickering in your lights getting worse and worse over time, seemingly for no reason? Whether from wear and tear, outdated wiring, or improper installation, loose wiring may be to blame. You need to take this electrical issue seriously because it is one.
Anywhere in the system that has a loose connection, which is likely to lead to arcing or overheating, poses a fire risk. Don’t risk a devastating electrical fire or complete loss of power in your home – call for electrical service as quickly as possible. It’s also possible that your home has aluminum wiring that needs to be replaced.
Why Do Lights Dim When I Plug Something In?
Lighting in your home may dim when you plug something into an outlet. This is due to the fact that each light’s energy distribution changes as you draw more power from your electrical system. The added demand for electricity causes a decrease in voltage and results in fewer lumens being produced by each light. Since something is plugged in, you might experience a dimming effect.
You should take care not to overload your electrical system to avoid this. Check the wattage rating of each appliance or light, and don’t exceed the maximum recommended wattage for your home’s electrical system. Also, be sure to invest in quality surge protectors to avoid any sudden power spikes that could cause your lights to dim.
Should I Worry If My Lights Flicker?
It’s true that flickering lights may point to a problem with your electrical wiring. A drop in voltage that results in flicker can be brought on by frayed or loose wires. This is why it’s crucial to look into the cause of the flickering as soon as you can and have any required repairs made. Flickering lights can also indicate an overloaded circuit or a power spike, which can easily cause an electrical fire if not addressed. As soon as you notice any flickering in your lights, get in touch with a licensed electrician to ensure your safety as well as the safety of your home.
Why Do My Lights Dim When I Use a Hair Dryer?
On the same circuit as the hair dryer plug are the lights. The hair dryer draws a lot of currents when you use it, which causes your lights to flicker or dim.
For the lights to remain on, use a plug on a different circuit. However, the best long-term fix might be to hire an electrician to run new wiring for your plug.
A short-term solution is just running an extension cord from another plug outside your bathroom.
Conclusion
Fortunately, none of the causes we thoroughly discussed are ghosts. Instead, they are all potential explanations for the flickering lights in your home. So, if you encounter someone who claims that their home’s lights are flickering and they suspect a ghost is at play, you should inform them that the problem is actually with the circuit or the bulb.
FAQs
Should I Worry If My Lights Flicker?
Even if the flickering appears innocuous, it could be a sign of a more serious electrical wiring problem that could pose a serious fire risk to your house. For your own safety, call your electrician for an inspection, especially if the flickering worsens or changes in any way.
Why Are My Lights Flickering for No Reason?
A loose connection in that circuit or an overloaded circuit may be the cause of your lights flickering. You might have a more serious problem with all of your wiring if lights start flickering throughout your entire house. Alterations in voltage or the use of the incorrect bulb type are other potential problems.
Does a Flickering Light Bulb Mean It’s Dying?
When fluorescent lights are first turned on, as the phosphorous charges up, and when the bulb is worn out and needs to be replaced, they are known to flicker. When not connected to special dimmer switches, LEDs, on the other hand, frequently flicker.