Some Electrical System Strains & Threats to Consider This Summer

Summer is here with a vengeance, complete with sunshine, pollen, and children running freely in the streets. To some, it symbolizes freedom, and to others it’s nothing but the hot part of the year. For electrical systems, the summer means more risks and more reasons for routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and double-checking things around the house. Below is some guidance on what to look out for concerning strains on your electrical systems, as well as threats towards and against electrical systems.

Watch Your Outdoor Wires

Extension cords are especially at risk when used during the summer. There are many reasons for this, and it’s important to observe safe extension cord practices. Here is some insight on what to look out for, and some extra steps you can take to ensure the safety of your property, its inhabitants, and your electrical system(s).

Extension Cords

When you’re running extension cords outside and they end up there overnight — whether for an electrical sprinkler system, a new fountain, or any other mechanism — make sure to use only the thickest possible wires. Some people even reinforce them with electrical tape.

Why? Because outside there are many animals that would love to gnaw on those wires. If a rodent has its path obstructed by a wire, it won’t just climb over it — it will want to investigate the wire, maybe even take a nibble to make sure it’s not a root. When that happens, not only is the electrical wire potentially ruined, but the critter is going to get the shock of its life. All of that aside, the summer months are hot and sometimes dry. Free-flying sparks from a damaged extension cord can easily start small fires that can turn into big ones very quickly.

It’s also important to regularly check any extension cords left outside for damage. They might get hit by a lawn tool, a roller skate, or a bike, which can compromise the outer insulator — the only thing keeping that wire from becoming a real hazard. If you have wires that link up outside to lighting and they’ve survived an entire winter, inspect them for damage and make sure they’re still in good condition. If you see minor fraying, use electrical tape. If the wire looks nearly destroyed, it may be time to replace it entirely.

Summer Strain

Winter is hard enough on your heater. However, summer puts its own brand of strain on both your ventilation systems and your cooling systems. Depending on the system, it often takes a much larger amount of electricity to keep an area cool than it does to keep it warm — unless, of course, you use electric heat. As summer progresses, attics become extremely hot. As they heat up, cooling systems and attic fans have to run overtime to keep living areas cool. It’s important to keep a careful eye on these systems and ensure they don’t experience any difficulties. If your attic fan breaks and you don’t know it, the combination of the attic overheating and faulty electrical components in the ventilation system can create a significant fire hazard — and you’re also wasting electricity on a system that isn’t doing anything for you. Altogether, it’s a complete waste of money.

Also, don’t forget that heat can enter your house through light as well. Sometimes a closed window exposed to direct sun is almost as bad as if it were completely open. You can take some of the burden off of your air conditioning system by getting curtains for your windows and keeping them closed when there’s no need for light to come in. A small amount of light may seem inconsequential, but a little light over a long time can add up to a lot of heat that could easily be kept out of the house.

These are just a few easy tips to keep your house cool and your wallet happy during the summer. If you’re having any problems with your electrical systems this summer, don’t hesitate to call us. During hotter seasons, bad electrical systems are a huge problem — both because you don’t want to be hot and uncomfortable, and because you don’t want a fire hazard threatening your safety. If you need us, don’t hesitate to contact us throughout Philadelphia and Bucks County, PA, at (267) 651-0684 or by email at [email protected]. We will do everything in our power to bring you the electrical system your property deserves. We are also a trusted third-party agency throughout Bucks County and Philadelphia, PA.