7 Electrical Maintenance Tasks Every Homeowner Must Get Done for Summer

The common misconception is that today’s appliances and home installations are incredibly dependable. As a result, many homeowners neglect the importance of regular maintenance until something goes wrong.

Of course, with summer quickly approaching, lifestyle changes might influence how your household uses home appliances, perhaps putting them in danger of breaking down.

Summer brings more family gatherings, which means opening the fridge more frequently and using home entertainment more often. The washing machine and dryer will almost certainly see greater use after a day at the beach or in the pool. Don’t forget about your air conditioner—as temperatures increase, the most vital device will have to work extra hard to keep everyone comfortable.

Therefore, before the busy summer period starts up at your house, it’s best to ensure you address the following maintenance concerns listed in this article now to ensure your home’s electrical is ready!

Although unfortunately, there are numerous dangers associated with home electricity. As a result, every homeowner must take precautions to ensure their home is secure from electrical hazards. Some suggestions for avoiding electrical dangers in your house are also listed in this article.

Look Out for Damaged Electrical Cords

Damaged wires in your house might lead to a slew of other issues, a risk that might result in severe mishaps in your home. So, make sure to mend or replace all damaged cords.

If you’ve never repaired a cord before, get a reputable electrician who knows what they’re doing to assist with electrical damage repairs to ensure the task is completed securely and effectively. Electricians have access to high-quality equipment that minimises property damage and serious injuries when it comes to electrical cord repairs.

Appliances Not in Use Should Be Unplugged

Always remember to disconnect or turn off appliances once you’ve finished using them. This not only saves you energy, but it also protects your installations and keeps them secure from harm. When appliances are left on for long periods, they can overheat, causing damage to power circuit components, as well as fires, injuries, and even explosions. Overheated appliances and electrical cables are generally irreversibly damaged.

Keep All Electrical Equipment and Devices Away from Water

The most dangerous components in the home are water and electricity, as when the two come together, they can cause severe injuries and property damage. As a result, ensure water does not encounter electrical equipment. Some safety tips to avoid this issue include:

• Wipe off all surfaces and allow them to dry completely.
• If you discover any water leaks, contact a plumber for assistance right away.
• When working with electrical equipment, always keep your hands dry.
• Electric sources and equipment should also be kept away from sinks, showers, aquariums, and baths. Water will be less likely to come into contact with electricity as a result.

To Avoid Overheating, Keep Appliances Separated

When appliances aren’t given enough air to circulate, they might overheat, resulting in fires and explosions. Therefore, make sure there’s enough room between your devices for appropriate air circulation, or increase ventilation by opening enclosed cabinets when using appliances.

Check That All of Your Fixtures and Appliances are Set to the Right Wattage

Using the proper light bulbs can help prevent electrical problems in your LED light installations. This includes all your lamps, fixtures, and appliances. Installing light bulbs with higher wattage ratings than the fixture ratings will not necessarily harm the electrical circuit wires, nor will it cause a circuit breaker to trip or other issues with the house wiring. Instead, the hazard lies in the fixture itself.

If the wattage of a light fixture isn’t specified, use 60-watt bulbs or less. Choose 25-watt bulbs for unmarked ceiling fittings.

Pro tip! LED downlight installations use less energy and decrease the danger of overheating fixtures. Traditional incandescent and halogen light bulbs offer less value for money than LED downlight installations. LED light installations use around 75% less energy to provide the same amount of light, and they last far longer before needing to be replaced.

Even little changes, such as switching to LED downlights installations, can have a significant influence on your home’s power expenses. For example, replacing ten halogen light bulbs with an energy-efficient LED downlight installation may save you $650 in electricity over ten years.

Which Home Installations are Safe to DIY?

While it is always tempting to “do it yourself” and save money when it comes to electrical repairs, almost all electrical circumstances require the services of a skilled and licenced electrician. Reputable electricians ensure that all electrical installations – from LED downlights installations to the TV wall mount installation – are carried out safely, responsibly, and trustworthy.

Every year, 15 people are killed, and 300 are hospitalised in Australia due to avoidable electrical mishaps. While this may appear to be a modest number, it represents 15 lives lost that could have been saved.

Typically, you should not attempt any of the following electrical maintenance tasks on your own:

• Repairing electrical appliances.
• Replacing a LED light installation or any power outlet.
• Replacing pre-existing electrical wiring.
• Attempting any wall mount installations, especially TV wall mount installation.

These tasks may appear to be straightforward, but you are unaware of the possible electrical dangers without proper training. Electricians are educated to analyse a situation’s danger and determine when it is safe to operate, always assuring your safety.

For example, DIY TV wall mount installations are incredibly dangerous. While it’s true that televisions are becoming lighter, the weight of a TV isn’t the only factor to consider when it comes to holding, lifting, and installing it safely. The form and size of your television also affect your ability to manage it, and this gets even more difficult when you must lift and install it on your wall!

Even with help, dropping your television is a serious possibility. Not to mention the other common hazard of TV wall mount installations, such as the TV falling off the wall, underestimating the length of your TV’s power cord, to electrocution.

However, several electrical tasks around the house are safe for you to do, such as:

• Resetting a circuit breaker or a safety switch.
• Changing a light bulb or tube in electric light. Although before changing a light bulb, make sure all LED downlight installations are turned off!
• Changing a fuse.

Stay Safe and Hire a Professional Electrician!

The safety tips outlined in this article can help prevent severe injuries and property damage when performing electrical work around the house. When inspecting your electrical system, always remember to be safe, as taking the proper safety measures will help you and your family avoid electrical injuries and expensive medical expenses!

In any home, electricity safety is critical, but remember, if you have any doubts about an electrical issue – from LED downlights installations to TV wall mount installation – get a professional to inspect it for you and your family’s safety.