It’s no secret that the holiday season calls for more illumination. During this time of year, Americans use 6.63 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of holiday lights. A standard string of 100 lights can use up to 12.48 kWh, which can increase your energy bill by $40-$50 each month, depending on how long you run them.
Between exterior lighting, Christmas trees, and long evenings indoors, it is important to ensure your home’s electrical panel is ready for the demands of a jolly holiday season.
Inspect Your Panel for Signs of Damage
A simple visual inspection can help you notice things like signs of wear and tear, tripped breakers, or loose connections. You can also contact a professional for assistance if you’d like to go beyond the basics and have a full electrical workup for your home.
Test Your Circuit Breakers
Unplug any electronic devices from your outlets, including computers. Then, open your electrical panel, and turn off each breaker one by one. This process should go off smoothly without making any loud popping sounds. When you turn it back on, it should easily turn on and continue to supply power. If you notice it falls back to the middle or to the “off” position, then you should have a professional take a look.
You might also notice that turning on one breaker causes another to turn off. This could be caused by an issue with one circuit or a greater electrical problem with your panel. An electrician is the only person who can perform a safe inspection and fix the issue.
Install Bubble Outdoor Outlet Covers
Bubble outlet covers are best for any outdoor decorations because they allow you to keep using your electricity without the risk of weather damage. These outlets are inexpensive and easy to install, but if you need assistance, you can have an electrician do the job for you.
Check Your Electricity Bill
Have your bills been consistent over the last few months, or do they show noticeable increases despite no changes to your household’s consumption? If you have higher electric bills with no reasonable cause, there may be an issue with your panel. An inspection can help identify and fix the root cause before it costs you more money.
Use LED Lights
LED holiday lights use up to 75% less energy, making them a budget-friendly alternative to incandescent bulbs. They also drain less on your home’s electricity, meaning you can safely use them with your electrical panel without worrying about overloading the circuits.
If you notice any signs of trouble with your electricity, it’s crucial to schedule an inspection as soon as possible. Contact Paxton Electric for professional electric panel repair and replacement in Rochester, MN.
