YOUR RESIDENTIAL SERVICE COMPANY • ELECTRICIAN • FIREFIGHTER OWNED • LICENSE & INSURED
YOUR RESIDENTIAL SERVICE COMPANY • ELECTRICIAN • FIREFIGHTER OWNED • LICENSE & INSURED
![[HERO] Flickering Lights in Your House? 7 Causes Michigan Homeowners Should Know](https://cdn.marblism.com/SfMiSRE7ZHy.webp)
You're sitting in your living room watching the game when suddenly: the lights flicker. Maybe it happens once and you shrug it off. But then it happens again. And again.
If you're a Michigan homeowner dealing with flickering lights in your house, you're definitely not alone. Between our older housing stock, brutal winters, and summer storms that roll through like clockwork, our homes take a beating. And sometimes, that beating shows up in the form of lights that just won't stay steady.
Here's the thing: flickering lights can be a minor annoyance or a major warning sign. Knowing the difference could save you money: or even prevent a house fire.
Let's break down the 7 most common causes of flickering lights that Michigan homeowners should know about.
Let's start with the easy one. Sometimes a flickering light is just... a loose bulb.
It sounds almost too simple, but a bulb that isn't screwed in all the way won't make solid contact with the socket. The result? Intermittent flickering that drives you crazy.
The fix: Turn off the light, let the bulb cool down, and screw it in tight. If it's an older bulb, swap it out for a fresh one. This takes about 30 seconds and costs you nothing.
If tightening the bulb doesn't solve the problem, keep reading: because the issue might be deeper than you think.
Here's a scenario we see all the time: a homeowner upgrades to LED bulbs (great choice for energy savings), but their dimmer switch starts acting up. The lights flicker, buzz, or just won't dim smoothly.
The problem? Not all LED bulbs play nice with older dimmer switches. Traditional dimmers were designed for incandescent bulbs, which draw power differently than LEDs.
The fix: Check the packaging on your bulbs to make sure they're labeled "dimmable." Then, look into whether your dimmer switch is LED-compatible. You might need to upgrade to a modern dimmer designed for today's energy-efficient bulbs.
This is a quick fix that most homeowners can handle themselves: but if you're not comfortable working with switches, a licensed electrician can knock it out in no time.
Speaking of switches, they don't last forever. Over time, the internal components wear down, connections loosen, and you end up with flickering lights.
Here's how to tell if your switch is the culprit:
That last one is a big deal. A warm switch can indicate arcing inside the wall: and arcing is a fire hazard.
The fix: If your switch is acting up, it's time for a replacement. This is a relatively straightforward job for a professional electrician and one that shouldn't be ignored.
Do your lights dim or flicker when your air conditioner kicks on? What about when someone fires up the microwave or runs the vacuum?
If large appliances cause your lights to flicker, you're likely dealing with voltage fluctuations. Your home's electrical system is designed to deliver a steady voltage (typically around 120 volts), but when high-draw appliances compete for power, things can get wonky.
Signs of voltage fluctuation problems:
This is more than just annoying: it can damage sensitive electronics and indicates your electrical system is under stress.
The fix: This one requires a professional diagnosis. An electrician can test your home's voltage and determine whether you need a dedicated circuit for high-draw appliances or if there's a larger issue at play.
Michigan is home to a lot of older houses: especially in areas like Rochester, Howell, and Clarkston. And older houses often mean older electrical systems that weren't designed for today's power demands.
Think about it: homes built 40 or 50 years ago didn't account for multiple TVs, computers, gaming systems, smart home devices, and all the other gadgets we rely on today. When you pile too many devices onto a single circuit, the circuit gets overloaded.
Signs of an overloaded circuit:
Overloaded circuits aren't just inconvenient: they're a legitimate fire hazard.
The fix: You may need additional circuits installed or a panel upgrade to handle your home's electrical load. This is especially common in older Michigan homes that still have 100-amp panels when modern families really need 200 amps.
If you're not sure whether your home's electrical system is up to the task, schedule an inspection with Husch Electric. We'll give you an honest assessment.
This is the one that keeps electricians (and firefighters) up at night.
Old, frayed, or damaged wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires in the United States. And unfortunately, Michigan has no shortage of older homes with wiring that's seen better days.
If your home was built before 1980, there's a chance you have:
Warning signs of wiring problems:
The fix: If you suspect wiring issues, don't wait. Have a licensed electrician inspect your home's wiring immediately. Rewiring a home is an investment, but it's nothing compared to the cost of a fire.
As a firefighter-owned company, we've seen firsthand what electrical fires can do to families. It's why we take wiring inspections seriously at Husch Electric.
Sometimes the problem isn't inside your house at all.
If lights flicker throughout your entire home: not just in one room or on one circuit: the issue might be with the service conductors that connect your home to the power grid. These are the wires that run from the utility pole to your electrical meter.
Michigan weather doesn't do these connections any favors. Ice storms, high winds, and heavy snow can loosen connections or damage lines over time. We see this a lot after rough winters or major storms roll through Oakland and Livingston counties.
Signs of a utility-side problem:
The fix: If you suspect the problem is on the utility side, contact your power company first. They're responsible for the lines up to your meter. However, if the issue is with your service entrance (the connection point on your home), that's on you: and you'll need a licensed electrician to address it.
Most flickering lights are more annoying than dangerous. But there are times when you need to act fast.
Call an electrician immediately if you notice:
These are signs of serious electrical problems that could lead to a fire.
At Husch Electric, we've helped homeowners across Southeast Michigan track down the source of their flickering lights: and fix the problem for good. Whether it's a simple switch replacement or a full panel upgrade, we approach every job with the same commitment to safety and quality.
We're a firefighter-owned company, which means we understand the real dangers of electrical problems better than most. We're not here to upsell you on things you don't need. We're here to keep your family safe.
If flickering lights in your house have you worried, contact Husch Electric today. We serve Rochester, Howell, Clarkston, and the surrounding Michigan communities with honest, professional electrical services.
