Got Flickering Bulbs? This Might Be Why

Most people might ignore the odd flickering of a lightbulb, even more so if it happens in an old house, but light flickering can be from a whole range of things. Light flickering is often a signal of a problem that should be checked out by an electrician asap. 

Here are a couple of reasons why your bulbs might be flickering: 

Loose Wiring 

Loose wiring can cause a wide range of problems and is one of the most dangerous things that can happen. It is a fire hazard, and one of the main indicators is if you have lights that flicker – and the problem slowly worsens. 

Voltage Change 

Most homes’ voltage should sit between 115 and 125. However, there are times when that voltage will fluctuate. Your voltage might vary outside of this designated voltage when it shouldn’t. 

What are the signs of voltage fluctuations?

 

• Lights being brighter or dimmer than usual
• Flickering lights
• Bulbs that burn out often
• Flickering lights continue even if other appliances have been turned off

Bulb Type

Sometimes it can be as simple as the bulbs not being the right one for the fitting. Even though it has screwed or plugged in fine, it might be that the bulb is not the right one. In this instance, the flickering is harmless, and you will need to change the bulb. 

All bulbs have a voltage on the box, which can make sure you choose the right bulb in the future. 

One of the most common flickerings comes from when LED bulbs are used in dimmers that are incompatible. 

Circuit Overload

Have you ever been in a situation where you flick the on switch on an appliance, and everything else in the house turns off? There are more subtle versions of this where the light bulbs in the area will flicker when you turn on another appliance. This is an indicator that you might have an overloaded circuit. 

If you find that your lightbulbs aren’t flickering regularly, but on occasions when you have extra items plugged in, you might just have an overloaded circuit. It is a good idea to have an electrician check it out so that you know if you need to repair or replace any of the parts of your electric system. 

Occasionally, flickering might not be a cause for concern, but anything to do with your electrics should be checked out immediately. 

Loose Bulb

Last but not least, if your lightbulb is flickering everyone once in a while, the first thing that you can try to do is to tighten it up. You’ll just need to turn the screw-in bulbs a little more. For bulbs that fit with a pin, sometimes pressing them gently a little further into the fitting can help. 

Make sure you only do this when the bulb is off, and put on some goggles to protect your eyes just in case you press too hard. 

Your lightbulbs can go a long way to deciding the ambience in your home! Here is some other time to make your home cosy and welcoming: How To Make A Home Feel More Stylish & Trendy – Best 4 Mum.