Is Your Home’s Electrical System Still Safe?

Why Electrical Safety Checks Matter More Than You Think

When was the last time your home had a full electrical safety check? If you can’t remember—or if you’ve noticed odd things like flickering lights, tripped breakers, or outlets that feel warm to the touch—it’s probably time.

Just like your HVAC system or roof, your electrical system needs routine attention. And with seasonal changes putting different demands on your power supply throughout the year, inspections aren’t just helpful—they’re essential.

⚡ What is an Electrical Safety Check?

An electrical home safety check is a comprehensive inspection performed by a licensed electrician. It assesses the condition, safety, and code compliance of your home’s electrical system—from the service panel to the smallest outlet.

During the check, we examine:

• The main panel for signs of wear, overheating, or improper labeling

• Breakers, wiring, and grounding systems

• Interior and exterior outlets and switches (including GFCIs)

• Light fixtures and ceiling fans for signs of overheating or faulty wiring

• Signs of outdated or overloaded circuits

• Any DIY wiring or code violations from past work

Our goal is to catch hazards before they become dangerous or costly.

🛠️ Why Should You Get One?

Here are four key reasons a home electrical check should be on your to-do list:

1. Seasonal Power Changes Can Push Your System

As summer approaches, so does the heavy use of air conditioners, fans, and outdoor power tools. In the colder months, space heaters and electric blankets come into play. These seasonal shifts can overload an already strained system—especially in older homes. A safety check helps ensure your panel and wiring can handle the change.

2. Small Issues Can Hide Big Risks

Flickering lights, buzzing outlets, or switches that spark when flipped may seem minor—but they’re often signs of wiring issues, poor connections, or overworked circuits. Left unaddressed, these can lead to shocks, appliance damage, or even fires. We’re trained to find what’s hiding behind the walls.

3. Time Isn’t on Your Side

Electrical components degrade slowly and silently. Even if everything seems fine on the surface, things like corroded wires, outdated breakers, or missing GFCI protection can go unnoticed for years. If it’s been more than 3–5 years since your last inspection, you're overdue.

4. Peace of Mind is Priceless

When you know your home is electrically sound, you can rest easy. You’ll avoid surprise repairs, improve energy efficiency, and create a safer environment for your family.

🕒 When to Schedule a Safety Check:

• Before heavy appliance use (summer AC, winter heaters, etc.)

• After a renovation or major appliance upgrade

• Before buying or selling a home

• If you’re experiencing frequent breaker trips or dimming lights

• If it’s been 3+ years since your last professional electrical service

✅ Protect What Matters

An electrical home safety check is more than just a service—it’s a smart investment in the health and safety of your home. Don’t wait until something goes wrong.

At Bowman Electric, we make it simple to stay protected. Our certified electricians provide thorough, honest inspections that catch hidden risks, help you plan for future upgrades, and keep your system safe year-round.

📞 Call today to schedule your Electrical Safety Check and power into the next season with peace of mind.

Spring Check: Are Your Outdoor Outlets Still Safe?

As temperatures rise and homeowners start heading outdoors again, it's time to think about more than just cleaning patios and setting out the furniture. If you’re plugging in outdoor lights, grills, fountains, or power tools—your exterior outlets need just as much attention.

🌦️ Why Outdoor Outlets Wear Down Faster

Unlike indoor outlets, exterior ones face a constant battle with the elements. Fluctuating temperatures, rain, snow, and even UV exposure can all take a toll. Over time, these conditions can cause:

• Cracked or brittle outlet covers

• Corroded or loosened wiring

• Worn seals that allow moisture inside

• GFCIs that no longer function correctly

And that wear doesn’t just affect performance—it creates a real safety hazard.

🔍 What to Look For

Check for any of the following signs around your outdoor outlets:

• Loose or wobbly outlets

• Discolored or cracked covers

• No GFCI protection (test using the "test" and "reset" buttons)

• Water intrusion or signs of rust

If you notice any of these, it’s time to call a licensed electrician.

💡 The Smart Fix: Weather-Rated & GFCI Protected

Today’s outdoor outlets are designed to hold up better with weather-resistant materials and code-compliant GFCI protection. Upgrading your outdoor outlets can help:

• Prevent shock hazards

• Ensure proper protection against rain and snow

• Keep you in line with current electrical codes

• Provide peace of mind when using power outdoors

🌼 Get Ready for Spring Fun

Don’t wait until the BBQ is sizzling or the kids are running through sprinklers. Let Bowman Electric inspect your outdoor outlets now and upgrade them if needed—so you're ready to enjoy the season safely and confidently.

👉 Call today to schedule your spring outdoor outlet check!

Why Whole-House Surge Protection Matters More Than You Think

When most homeowners hear the phrase power surge, they picture a lightning strike during a thunderstorm. But here's the surprising truth—the majority of surges that damage your electronics actually come from inside your own home.

🌩️ What Exactly Is a Power Surge?

A power surge is a brief spike in voltage that travels through your electrical system. These spikes can be large and obvious—like when lightning strikes a utility pole—or small and subtle, caused by everyday appliances cycling on and off. Regardless of the size, surges can slowly (or instantly) damage anything plugged into your home’s outlets.

⚠️ Internal Surges: The Hidden Culprit

According to industry studies, 60–80% of all power surges originate from internal sources. That includes:

• Refrigerators and freezers

• HVAC systems (especially when compressors kick on)

• Washers and dryers

• Dishwashers and microwaves

• Power tools or equipment with motors

• Hairdryers or vacuum cleaners

These everyday devices create tiny surges each time they start or stop. Over time, those fluctuations can degrade circuit boards in TVs, computers, gaming systems, and smart home devices—leading to premature failure.

🛡️ What Does Whole-House Surge Protection Do?

Unlike plug-in surge strips that only protect individual devices, a whole-house surge protector is installed at your electrical panel to guard your entire home. It works like a pressure valve—redirecting excess voltage safely into the ground before it can travel to your outlets and fry your electronics.

Even better, whole-house surge protection doesn’t just guard against internal mini-surges. It also adds an essential layer of protection against:

• Lightning strikes nearby

• Power grid issues

• Utility switching surges

• Downed power lines

It’s a complete solution that protects every circuit, not just the ones you can see.

💡 Why Install It Now?

With summer just around the corner, your air conditioner is about to start working harder—and that’s one of the top sources of internal surges. Combine that with increased demand on the power grid, and your electrical system will be under more stress than usual.

Adding a surge protector now ensures:

• Your home is ready for the seasonal load increase

• You’re protecting new appliances or smart home investments

• Your electrical panel is working smarter, not harder

✅ The Benefits of Whole-House Surge Protection

• Covers your entire electrical system—every outlet, every circuit

• Prevents costly damage to electronics, appliances, and HVAC units

• Affordable—especially when added during a panel upgrade or service visit

• Low-maintenance and long-lasting solution

• Boosts your home’s resale value with added protection and safety features

If you're investing in smart tech, upgrading your panel, or just want to extend the life of your electronics, this is a smart, protective step. Bowman Electric can install surge protection as a standalone service or bundle it into any panel or service upgrade.

Protect your home from the inside out—before those invisible surges start costing you.