Your home’s lighting does more than help you see when it’s dark, it can impact the entire feel of your space depending on the fixtures you use. But unless it’s Halloween, lights flickering isn’t what you want in your home. Sometimes a light bulb flickering just means it needs to be replaced, but other times it can indicate a far more serious issue. Here are the most common reasons for lights flickering in houses and how to stop them.
Loose Lightbulb
If a light bulb is flickering in your home, don’t automatically assume it’s dying. Sometimes this just means the bulb isn’t screwed in properly. That’s an easy fix. Turn off the flickering light and wait for it to cool down. Then simply check to make sure the lightbulb is securely in place, screwing it back in if it’s not. Turn the light back on and if the light bulb flickering stops, you’ve found the problem. If the flickering continues, move on to the following possible causes.
You’re Using the Wrong Kinds of Lightbulbs
Your lights are flickering in your home, but there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with the lightbulbs or their placement in the sockets. This could mean you’re using the wrong kinds of lightbulbs for your fixtures. This issue is most common with dimmer switches since they adjust how much light a bulb gives off, often only working with specific kinds of lightbulbs. For example, older dimmer switches weren’t designed to work with modern LED bulbs just like how LED specific dimmers won’t work with other bulbs.
If you’ve got dimmable lights flickering, there are several ways to check if the problem is with the lightbulb. First, make sure the bulbs you’re using are labeled as dimmable. Next, check the dimmer switch’s spec sheet to see what kinds of lightbulbs are compatible with it. If the lightbulb isn’t compatible, purchase one that is and replace it. If you continue to struggle with lights flickering or if the bulb you are using matches these requirements and it isn’t loose, move on to the following steps.
Faulty Light Switch
If your light bulbs don’t seem to be the cause of lights flickering in your home, it’s time to check your light switches. One indicator that your light switch isn’t working properly is that it’s flipping slowly, though this is not always present in faulty switches. The metal connections inside a switch deteriorate over time, causing infrequent electrical flow without showing signs of damage. To fix a faulty light switch, start by shutting off power to it using the circuit breaker. Next, remove the switch plate and unscrew the switch from the electrical box. Take a picture of how the wires are connected to the switch for when you reconnect them. Disconnect the wires from the old switch and then connect them to the new one in the same format. Screw the switch and plate back into place, turn the power back on and test the light.
Loose Wiring
Sometimes lights flickering in houses are caused by issues you can’t even see. The wiring connected to your light fixtures can become loose or corroded over time, causing multiple lights to flicker in your home. This electrical issue can be particularly frustrating as it often leads to lights flickering whenever large appliances are turned on as well as frequent breaker trips. When you experience these symptoms, do not try to handle them on your own. Wiring is a complicated process and requires a licensed electrician to be done properly and safely.
Overloaded Circuit
Another electrical issue that could cause lights flickering in houses and needs professional attention is an overloaded circuit. If flickering occurs when you turn on a large appliance but doesn’t last very long, you may have too many high-power devices hooked up to one circuit. Try redistributing these appliances so they’re plugged into different circuits. If this doesn’t fix the problem or the light bulb flickering is frequent and lasts more than a few minutes, the circuit is overloaded. Avoid trying to fix an overloaded circuit on your own and always call a licensed electrician. They will expertly examine your home’s electrical capacity and make recommendations on how to stop the lights flickering without getting rid of necessary appliances.
Lights Flickering in Your Home? Landis Electric Can Help!
Lights flickering in houses isn’t just annoying but can be a sign of a deeper issue with your electrical system. Sometimes all you need to do is change or adjust a lightbulb, but other times the wiring in your home needs to be fixed. Don’t risk trying to handle these complicated and dangerous lighting problems on your own. Call to schedule a consultation today to receive an expert evaluation of your flickering lights and a solution that will restore your home’s lighting in no time.