Lights that flicker at the sound of the AC? Outlets you can tell are warm on a triple-digit afternoon? An electric bill that seems to have no business being as high as it is come summer?
Those of us in the Central Valley are well acquainted with the rigours of the heat. It is not only hard on a person but exacts a toll on the electrical systems of your home or place of business. We at The Electric Company have been in the North San Joaquin Valley for 25 years and more, so we have an idea of what the summer does to the wiring in these parts. Give us a ring at (209) 396-4618 to put you in touch with someone who has a feel for the local climate.
For the most part, an electrical problem stemming from the heat will make its presence known before it becomes a serious matter. One just has to be on the lookout for it.
The Hardship of Summer Heat on Your System
Electricity and heat are not good companions. In Stockton, Modesto or Turlock, once the thermometer goes over 100 the metal in your system will expand. Cooling equipment is running longer and putting more current through the wires. Add in an attic that has become an oven and where much of the wiring is to be found, and you have parts under stress they were not meant to endure for week after week. And the Central Valley does not make it easy for a system to cool off and recover.
Problems That Show Up Every Summer
When the heat is on our customers tend to call us about the following:
- Breakers tripping under the heavy load of an air conditioner
- Circuits that are overloaded with the refrigerator, fans and AC all in operation
- Discoloration or warmth at the outlets and switch plates, an indication of damaged or loose wiring
- A large appliance comes on and the lights dim or start to flicker
- Wiring or compressors on the cooling system giving out
- Outdoor wiring that has taken a beating from the sun
- Strained or antiquated panels leading to a higher energy bill
Some homeowners will put off heeding such signs until there is a complete stoppage. What was a minor warning in June can be a breakdown in the thick of a July heat wave when you are in need of your cooling.
A Particular Risk for Older Homes
There are plenty of homes in Lodi, Manteca, Tracy and Sacramento that are decades old. The wiring and panels in them were put in to handle the appliances of the day, not the electronics and cooling we use now. To put an older panel through a Central Valley summer is to invite overheating. If one has put in new appliances over time, any weakness in the system will make itself known in the summer.
What You Can Do
A few changes in habit will take some of the pressure off:
- Do not put several heavy appliances on at once
- Maintain your AC so it is not pulling more power than necessary
- Should you smell something burning or hear a buzz from an outlet, discontinue use
- Make sure nothing is obstructing your electrical panel
- Have an inspection done prior to the height of summer
That said, leave certain things to a professional. Any work on the panel or wiring, or if the breakers are in the habit of tripping, is not a do it yourself job.
Call on a Professional
We are a locally run and owned concern, BBB accredited with an A rating and fully licensed and insured. The Electric Company provides residential and commercial services in the Central Valley and throughout the North San Joaquin Valley. Our 100 percent satisfaction guarantee is our word for it. For larger projects we have financing via Wisetack available, and we extend a 5 percent discount to our military and senior citizens on any service put on the books.
Our hours are 7 to 6 Monday to Friday.
Make no mistake, if your outlets are warm or the breakers are tripping, do not put it off until the year’s hottest day to find out there is an issue. Contact us at (209) 396-4618 and we will set up a time to have your home or business in order for the summer.
