Even though you might be able to save some money by leasing an older space for your business, you do need to keep an eye on your new old space’s electrical system. If you’re not sure that your system needs an upgrade, here are five signs that will tell you when that time has come.
Circuit Breakers Trip Often
Circuit breakers prevent electrical circuits from being overloaded, so they’re just doing their job when they trip occasionally. If they trip frequently, your electrical system may be too much for your company’s energy needs. Get an upgrade from a company like Motor Shop Electrical Construction Co as soon as possible, preferably before your business opens to the public. You don’t want to deal with a blackout while you’re serving customers.
Light Switches That Are Hot to the Touch
Power flows through a light switch and generates a small amount of heat when it’s turned on. When a light switch is properly installed and the circuits aren’t overloaded, you won’t notice this heat. On the other hand, a light switch may be hot to the touch if it has been improperly installed or the circuits leading up to it are overloaded. This is potentially dangerous and should be addressed as soon as you notice it.
Higher than Normal Utility Bills
High utility bills can be due to a number of factors, not the least of which is an old or faulty electrical system. Even if you don’t think your system is dangerous, you may still be able to lower your company’s energy bills if you upgrade your system.
Blown-Out Light Bulbs
Depending on what you use, a light bulb could last as long as 2,000 hours before it needs to be changed. If you find that your light bulbs don’t last nearly this long and need to be changed more frequently, you might have too much power going through them and will need to upgrade your electrical system.
Flickering Lights
A light bulb that is nearing the end of its life span might flicker or dim, but not when it’s brand new. Lights also shouldn’t flicker when you turn on your furnace or some other appliance. Like many of the other things on this list, this is often a sign that your system is getting overloaded.
As a business owner, you need to make sure that your facilities are in proper working order at all time. If you notice these signs or you just have an electrical system that’s over two decades old, don’t hesitate to call an electrician near you for an upgrade.
