Spring Power Surges: How to Protect Your Home’s Electrical System

Key takeaways

Spring power surges in Hampton Roads are often caused by storms, lightning, and rising humidity, putting your home’s electrical system at risk. Protect your home by installing whole-house surge protection, maintaining your HVAC system, monitoring warning signs like tripping breakers, and scheduling professional electrical inspections. Taking preventive steps now can help avoid costly damage and keep your home safe this spring.

Spring is typically welcome (maybe not by people with seasonal allergies). However, seasonal changes can affect your home’s electrical system. Spring weather can cause power surges that trip circuit breakers, sometimes repeatedly, and can damage your appliances and wiring.

Why Spring Causes Power Surges

One obvious issue is spring storms. As spring arrives, electrical storms become more frequent, remaining so through late summer. These storms are often accompanied by thunder, lightning, heavy rain, and high winds. All of these can send surges through the electrical system and the power grid, flipping breakers and damaging appliances.

The other thing spring brings to Virginia is climbing humidity. When combined with more rain, this can cause condensation to form in your wiring and electrical components, leading to corrosion and short circuits.

Combine these two things, and the risk of power surges damaging electronics and wiring becomes significantly elevated. High humidity also increases your cooling bill, and the switch from heating to cooling in a warmer climate like Hampton Roads increases the load on your HVAC system and the amount of power it draws.

Proactive Home Maintenance Strategies

Preparing your home’s critical systems before seasonal changes can prevent costly breakdowns and dangerous electrical hazards. These proactive steps for HVAC and electrical components safeguard your property while improving overall energy efficiency.

• Optimize HVAC and Humidity Control: Schedule routine maintenance and filter changes to manage humidity and lower bills. Consider a whole-house dehumidifier if your home is prone to moisture.
• Inspect Electrical Warning Signs: It’s critical to have a professional investigate any instances of tripping of circuit breakers or corroded connectors. Address burning smells or crackling sounds immediately to avoid fire risks.
• Verify and Retrofit GFCIs: Test existing Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters for stability and retrofit any kitchen or bathroom outlets that lack these essential safety features.
• Install Surge Protection: Invest in a whole-house surge protector at the main panel to safeguard sensitive electronics and your family from unexpected power spikes.

Symptoms of Power Surge Damage

Watch out for the following symptoms that may indicate damage to your home’s systems:

• Dimming or flickering lights. Note that it’s not uncommon for the lights to dim momentarily when your AC cuts in.
• Fixtures that feel warm
• Sparking, crackling, or a burning smell from outlets, especially if the outlet is not working. In this case, call a professional right away.
• Circuit breakers tripping frequently
• GFCIs tripping
• Strange behavior of appliances

Any of these warrants a professional inspection of your electrical system.

Take Advantage of Our Spring Savings for Electrical and Plumbing Services!

We currently have a special offer of 10% off all electrical and plumbing repairs, so now is a great time to call us to check your electrical system and make any necessary repairs. We can handle post-winter plumbing issues, as well as electrical upgrades from new lighting fixtures to a high-speed EV charger.

If you are concerned about power surges this spring or seeing issues with your electrical system, contact Smith and Keene today. Let us help you with electrical repairs or upgrades to reduce damage from spring storms and rising humidity.