A New Year checklist for your electrical system helps get your year off to the right start. Think about your electrical system while thinking of ways to improve yourself this holiday season. Check your electrical system around New Year because you spend most of your time inside during the colder months.
1. Have an Electrical Inspection
An electrical system inspection can catch issues and prevent costly problems. Our electricians may notice broken switches, frayed wiring, or loose outlets. Ignored issues may cause electrical fires and cost you more money in property damage and repairs.
2. Install Surge Protectors
Installing surge protectors can prevent damage to your devices during a power surge. Power surges usually come when the power goes out, which can ruin your electronics without proper protection. Surge protectors will redirect the power during a surge to keep your home damage-free.
3. Update Older Appliances
You use appliances often but don’t think about them unless something goes wrong. Swapping older appliances for more energy-efficient ones will let your electrical system work smarter. Energy-efficient appliances usually have guarantees on the label, which means they have rigorous testing.
4. Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors keep your home safe. You should test your detectors once a month to make sure they’re functioning. While you should change the smoke detector batteries annually, change your carbon monoxide batteries every six months.
5. Check Outlets
The average American home has around 75 outlets. You should call an electrician if you notice outlets with unusual warmth, odd smells, or discolorations. AFCI outlets can sense danger and break the flow of electricity, and GFCI outlets can prevent electrocution near where water connects with electrical circuits. If you have any GFCIs or AFCIs, inspect them once a month.
6. Clean Household Appliances
To reduce the risk of fire, it’s important to regularly clean your household appliances. A great way to keep your kitchen range hood screens and fire extinguishers clean is by using soap specifically designed to fight grease, along with hot water. Additionally, you can utilize an extendable lint brush to thoroughly clean both the exterior and interior of your dryer vent. These simple steps will help maintain the safety of your appliances and minimize the chances of fire.
7. Inspect Electrical Equipment
It is essential to thoroughly inspect all electrical equipment in your home, paying close attention to cords and plugs, as they may deteriorate over time. Additionally, it is worth noting that households with pets often face wiring issues caused by chewing from cats and dogs. When conducting inspections, be vigilant about identifying the following problems: kinks in cords, exposed wires, and fraying.
Electrical system checklists involve many tasks, such as inspections, installs, updating, and cleaning. Talk to one of our electricians after putting an electrical system checklist together. If you need electrical system maintenance, panel repair or replacement, or another electrical service in Reno, NV, call us at Burnett Electric to schedule an appointment.
