How Often Should I Have My Electrical System Inspected?

It's recommended to have a professional electrician inspect your electrical system every three to five years. Regular inspections help identify potential issues, ensuring the safety and reliability of your home or business. Our team at Electric City is well-versed in finding electrical issues during inspections.

What Are Signs That I Need to Upgrade My Electrical Panel?

Frequent tripped breakers, flickering lights, and an outdated electrical panel are clear signs that an upgrade is necessary. These issues can indicate overload, wear, or obsolescence, compromising safety. Upgrading your electrical panel improves safety and efficiency in your home or business by meeting the needs of modern appliances and technologies.

Why Are My Lights Flickering & Should I Be Concerned?

Flickering lights may signal various issues, including loose bulbs, faulty wiring, or problems in the electrical system. While occasional flickering might be due to minor causes, persistent or severe flickering could indicate an underlying problem, potentially compromising safety. Have a professional electrician quickly assess the situation to identify the root cause and address potential hazards. Electric City provides inspections and repair services to ensure your lighting system operates safely.

How Can I Improve Energy Efficiency in My Home or Business?

Improving energy efficiency involves various strategies for both homes and businesses. Consider upgrading to LED lighting, using energy-efficient appliances, and installing programmable thermostats. Additionally, ensure proper insulation, seal air leaks, and schedule regular maintenance for HVAC systems. Electric City provides personalized energy-saving services to help you save energy, cut utility expenses, and support a greener environment.

What Should I Do During a Power Outage at My Home or Business?

During a power outage, prioritize safety by turning off major appliances to prevent overload when power is restored. Use flashlights instead of candles for lighting, and avoid opening the refrigerator to keep food cold longer. If the outage persists, unplug sensitive electronic devices to protect them from potential power surges when electricity returns. Consider having a backup power source, like a generator, for essential appliances. Electric City can assist you with standby generator installation, ensuring uninterrupted power during outages at your home or business.

Electrician installing electrical outlets in a modern home, ensuring safe and accurate wiring on a white wall.

For most homeowners, the wiring running behind the walls of their house is just an invisible part of everyday life, rarely thought about unless a light flickers or a breaker trips. But understanding the basics of your home’s electrical wiring, as unseen as it might be, can allow homeowners to make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and keep the entire system in tip-top shape.

With that in mind, let’s walk through the fundamentals of electrical wiring in your home, key signs of trouble, and when to get help from our team.

How Your Home’s Electrical System Works

While it might seem a bit complex, your home’s electrical system should have been designed to be organized, efficient, and – most importantly – safe. Electricity enters your home through a service line connected to the utility company that services the area, then flows through a main electrical panel that distributes power to the various circuits throughout the space.

From there, a network of components works together behind the scenes to power everything from your lights to your appliances. Understanding these key parts can help you make informed decisions about maintenance, upgrades, or troubleshooting down the line.

The Main Parts of Your Electrical System

Depending on the age of your home, the exact type of wiring inside your walls might differ. Older homes may still have aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring, both of which may no longer meet current safety standards. Newer homes typically use copper wiring, which is the modern standard for safety and efficiency.

Either way, there are typically three core components to your system that every homeowner should be familiar with. These include:

Service Entry: The point of entry for power from the grid to enter your home.
Electrical Panel/Breaker Box: The control center for the system, which directs power to different parts of your home and cuts it off if needed.
Wiring & Devices: The network of wires, outlets, switches, and fixtures that carry electricity where it is meant to go.

If you’re unsure about the age or condition of your home’s electrical system, scheduling a professional electrical inspection is one of the best ways to bring you peace of mind.

Common Signs of Electrical Wiring Problems

Electrical problems are something no homeowner wants to deal with, but considering that home electrical fires cause about 51,000 fires each year, it’s important to recognize the signs of an issue early on. Be on the lookout for these wiring red flags, such as:

Frequent breaker trips or blown fuses
Buzzing outlets or switches
Flickering or dimming lights
You smell something burning near outlets or the panel
Warm or discolored switch plates

Any of these signs could be a clear indicator that your circuits are being overloaded, there is a loose connection, or that your wiring is deteriorating. And while it’s easy to see a flickering light or a tripped breaker and think, “I can fix that,” what seems like a quick fix can quickly turn into a serious safety risk.

Even small mistakes can lead to injuries, electrical fires, or costly code violations. That’s why it’s always smarter to call in a licensed Katy electrician. The pros at Electric City have the training and tools to diagnose and resolve issues safely and efficiently, saving you time, money, and a whole lot of stress.

When Should You Upgrade the Wiring In Your Home?

If your home was built decades ago, chances are its electrical system simply wasn’t designed to keep up with today’s high-powered appliances, smart tech, and modern lighting setups. While it may not seem like an immediate issue, outdated wiring can still be underperforming, causing inconsistent power delivery, reduced energy efficiency, and potentially even safety concerns.

One common issue seen in homes from the 1960s and 70s is aluminum wiring. At the time, it was considered a cost-effective alternative to the now-popular copper, but over the years, its downsides have only become clearer. Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper, which can loosen connections in outlets and switches, creating a serious fire hazard.

What if I Have Aluminum Wiring?

If your house has aluminum wiring, it’s important to verify if all receptacles and switches are rated for aluminum use and that connections are tight and secure. Our licensed electricians can inspect your system for loose or improper connections and recommend safe, code-compliant solutions to protect your home.

Now, upgrading or repairing your wiring might seem like a major project. Still, its benefits speak for themselves: improved safety, more reliable power, better energy efficiency, and even a boost in your home’s resale value. As for when to consider a wiring upgrade, keep these questions in mind:

Was your home built before 1980?
Are you planning a major renovation or adding new rooms?
Have you experienced frequent power issues or have outdated wiring (like knob-and-tube or aluminum)?
Are you looking at installing power-heavy upgrades like EV chargers, a swimming pool, hot tub, HVAC systems, or home theater equipment?

Answering yes to any of these questions is a great indication that it’s time to go for that upgrade.

Take Control of Your Home’s Electrical Safety

You don’t have to be an electrician to understand the basics of your home’s wiring, and that knowledge goes a long way towards making smart, informed decisions when it comes to electrical safety. Just understanding the important aspects of your system and when it may need an upgrade, plus knowing when to call in the pros, is the easiest way to keep yourself and your home safe and sound.

At Electric City, we specialize in everything from inspections and repairs to full-home rewiring right here in Katy. Contact our team today to identify risks, upgrade outdated components, and make sure your system is running safely and efficiently.

Safeguard Your Home With a Trusted Electrical Partner

Ready to take the next step in understanding and thus protecting your home’s wiring? Electric City is proud to serve Katy and the surrounding areas, including Fulshear, Brookshire, and Cinco Ranch.