Spring is here, and part of your spring cleaning and updating your home should be checking your electrical system and outlets. As the weather heats up and your air conditioner is going strong, you will be using more electricity, so now is the time to make sure your electrical outlets and electrical system is in good shape. Use this checklist to make sure that the electrical in your home is ready for increased spring and summer use:

Inspect Indoor Outlets

An easy place to start your spring electric checkup is to test the electrical outlets in your home. Look for discoloration, burning odors, signs of melting, or sparks that go off when plugging in a device. If you see any of those things, call the professionals at X immediately to get those outlets fixed or replaced. 

Test GFCI Outlets

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are outlets designed to protect you from electrical shock by shutting off their power when an imbalance in electricity is detected. Your home should have GFCI outlets in the kitchen, bathroom, outdoors, and in many other parts of the home. You will know if an outlet is a GFCI outlet because GFCI outlets have a “test” button in the middle of the outlet. 

Hit the “test” button to see if the electricity turns off. All the electricity to that outlet should be stopped. If you plug in a device and nothing happens, the outlet is off. Then just hit the “reset” button to turn the electricity on. 

Inspect Your Electrical Panel

You should know where the electrical panel is in your home in case of an emergency. It may be in a basement, a closet, or a crawl space. Look carefully at your electrical panel and check for any discoloration, a burning smell, frayed wires, or other damage. If you find anything that looks off, call a professional electrician right away. 

Test Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Detectors

Experts recommend checking your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors at least twice a year. Most people check them in the fall and the spring. Replace the batteries in the units, even if they are wired into the electrical system. Then push the “test” button on each detector to make sure it’s working. 

Inspect Outdoor Electrical Equipment

Now that the weather is getting nice, you’ll be spending more time outdoors, so check your exterior outlets to see if they have been damaged by cold or winter weather. In addition to checking the outlets for damage, you should check outdoor lighting and any outdoor extension cords or power strips. If any of them are damaged, frayed, or looking worn, you should replace them. 

Eliminate Electrical Hazards

During the winter, people can sometimes go overboard plugging in lights, inflatables, and other decorations. Go through your décor to make sure that you don’t have outlets that are overloaded or outlets that aren’t properly plugged in or grounded. 

Get Help From Electrical Pros, Choose Cardoso Electrical Services

If you’re not sure how to check your electrical system, or if you know that your electrical system is going to need work, let Cardoso Electrical Services help. The professional electricians at Cardoso Electrical Services can check your electrical system, tune up your AC, and make sure your electrical system and outlets are working properly. Contact us today at 781-246-7700!