When your electrical system is working well, it’s probably not something you think about very much, or ever. But just like any important home system, maintenance is a huge part of its performance and longevity. By neglecting your electrical system, you could actually be putting your house and everyone in it at risk, not to mention also spending way more than you need to on your energy bill. The simple solution is to schedule an electrical safety inspection with a qualified electrician.
Are electrical safety inspections really worth it? We’re here to tell you that they definitely are. Here are five great reasons to schedule an electrical safety inspection today.
1. Reduce the Chances of an Electrical Fire
If you’ve never had an electrical safety inspection performed on your property, you could have electrical problems you aren’t even aware of—particularly if you live in an older home. It’s important to find and fix these problems as soon as possible to keep you and your family safe from the threat of electrocution or an electrical fire.
An electrical safety inspection can uncover all sorts of hazards, including:
- Exposed or frayed wires
- Wires made from dangerous outdated materials like aluminum
- Damaged or missing wire insulation
- Old knob-and-tube wiring that lacks a ground system for safety
- Absence of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in kitchens and bathrooms
- Old outlets that spark, heat up, and look or smell like they are burning
- Flickering and/or buzzing lights
- Overloaded electrical panels
2. Spot & Fix Electrical System Malfunctions Before They Get Worse
No electrical system will last forever, so you may experience electrical malfunctions over time due to natural wear and tear. However, frequent electrical malfunctions usually indicate a larger underlying problem. For example, if a circuit breaker keeps tripping no matter how many times you’ve reset it, that’s a big indication that there is something unsafe going on within your system. The purpose of the circuit breaker is to prevent an overload by cutting the power, so if it keeps tripping, the circuit is probably overloaded. Ignoring this issue could turn into a very serious fire hazard.
If you are experiencing issues with your service panel, light fixtures, electrical sockets, or switches, make sure to call an electrician as soon as possible to perform an inspection and troubleshoot the issue.
3. Increase Your Electrical System’s Efficiency
Inefficiencies within your system can add up to some significant extra costs on your utility bill. Maintaining your electrical system is a smart way to identify any opportunities to reduce energy consumption and save you money on electricity. A professional electrician will be able to identify any faults in your electrical system during a safety inspection and correct them to make sure everything runs smoothly. He or she can also provide you with additional money-and-energy-saving recommendations, such as replacing incandescent light bulbs with more energy efficient CFL or LED bulbs, which have a significantly lower annual cost and longer lifespan.
4. Save Money on Future Electrical Repairs
Electrical problems are not going to resolve themselves; the longer you wait to deal with any malfunctions, the worse they are going to get. Not only does this make things less safe for your property and everyone in it, this could also lead to situations where you have to spend more money to fix the problem in the future. As the adage goes, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure, so know that it does truly pay to have your system inspected for a small cost now than having to pay for extensive home repairs – or worse – in the future.
5. Stay in Compliance with Electrical Safety Code
Electrical systems and any work done on them must adhere to local, state, and national safety codes. Unfortunately, many homes contain faults as a result of unlicensed DIY electrical work. With a safety inspection, you can learn if your system is in violation of any rules or ordinances, which can help you avoid facing fines and other problems down the road for noncompliance.
All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical offer electrical safety inspections and more at a reasonable price. Call (909) 500-8193 today to schedule a safety inspection in the San Bernardino area, or send us a message anytime online.
