Summer Electrical Maintenance

With summer in full swing, some homeowners may be noticing higher electrical bills. When the weather gets warmer, air conditioners or fans are used to keep homes cooler. Having a summer electrical maintenance routine will help to beat the heat and keep your electrical costs down.

The following is a checklist of some summer electrical maintenance tasks that every homeowner should know.

Summer Electrical Maintenance Items To Help Save Energy

• Use your barbecue to avoid using heat generating appliances inside
• Use a microwave to cook to avoid generating heat and use less wattage
• Air dry laundry to avoid using the dryer as much as possible
• Have your AC system checked to ensure it is working efficiently
• Use ceiling fans on slow speed to keep air circulating and add a slight breeze
• Have an electrician inspect and tighten all major electrical connections
• Install programmable thermostats which control temperature more accurately than older technology.
• Upgrade your lighting to energy efficient LED
• Turn off the lights when you leave a room
• If possible, unplug appliances, devices and chargers when they are not in use. Even when turned off, some devices will still draw power
• Change your furnace/air conditioning filter every three months. Dust and dirt on the filter  will slow the airflow and make the unit work harder
• Keep curtains and blinds closed during the hot days to help keep the heat out

Other Summer Electrical Maintenance

• Test all smoke/CO alarms monthly. Replace back-up batteries if required
• Make sure all outdoor outlets are GFCI protected and have weather-proof covers. For more information on GFCI protection, click here
• Check all power tool cords for damage before use
• Use extension cords rated for outdoor use and properly sized for the task. Check the cords for frays or plug damage. A damaged cord should never be used

Our electricians would be happy to assist you with all your summer electrical maintenance repairs. Regular maintenance of your electrical system may identify minor concerns before they become expensive repairs.