Before
you deck the halls like the Griswolds this holiday season, you should consider
if your home's wiring system can handle the additional load of holiday lights
and decorations. Depending on certain factors, such as your home's age and the
electrical lighting and equipment you want to add, you may need to upgrade your
wiring.
This is the time of year when home fires become more prevalent throughout the country. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2015 and 2019, about half of all holiday home fires came about due to electrical distribution of some sort or the use of lighting equipment, such as decorative lights.
With this in mind, it's important that you take extra precautions to ensure the safety of your home. However, this shouldn't stop you from going all out for the holidays. This article explains how and why you may need to upgrade your wiring for holiday lights and decor.
Pay Attention to Electrical Load Limits
You should pay attention to electrical load limits in your home, as overloading your electrical outlets poses a safety risk and could even cause a fire. Most modern home circuits can handle 15 or 20 amps. However, most people don't know about or pay attention to these numbers. That's why, depending on the amount and intensity of your decorations, your home wiring may need a circuit breaker upgrade, which brings us to our next point.
Don't Overload Your Circuits
You want to ensure that your circuit breakers can handle the additional load from your holiday lights and decorations. While it can be tempting to overload your outlets, exercise caution, as this can lead to needing circuit breaker repair services.
There are several warning signs if you have overloaded a circuit, including:
● Flickering lights ● Crackling noises
If you're experiencing any of these signs, it's most likely that you may need a circuit breaker upgrade. Schedule service with our electricians today.
Keep Safe with GFCI Outlets
Another consideration to make is to keep safe with GFCI outlets, or ground-fault circuit interrupters. These outlets turn off automatically when a surplus of electricity is flowing through them. They are typically installed in locations in which water could be present, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoors.
If a person comes into contact with water (whether it's snow, ice, or something in between) and electricity, it can be life-threatening and even fatal. As such, wherever you're installing holiday lights, especially if they are outdoors, you should consider having your circuits GFCI protected.
You don't want a situation like Clark Griswold's holiday lighting debacle.
Consider LED Lighting
While on the topic of home wiring upgrades, you may also want to give consideration to your bulb choice this holiday season. In fact, have you thought about upgrading your older fixtures and adding new lighting units that utilize energy efficient LED bulbs?
In comparison to incandescent lights, LED lights use 75% less energy and reduce your electrical load by more than seven times. As a result, your monthly electricity bill can be much lower. LED lights could also help to reduce the likelihood of circuit overload problems. Plus, they are known to last a long time, so it's definitely worth the consideration and investment.
Choose Estes Services for Your Home Wiring Upgrade Needs This Holiday Season
At Estes Services, we want to help you ensure the comfort and safety of your home electrical systems this holiday season. In fact, we hope this article helped you determine if a home wiring upgrade should be on your holiday wish list this year.
If you think a home wiring upgrade should be on your holiday wishlist, schedule service with our licensed and certified Atlanta electrical contractors today. We can help you make sure that your home's wiring can handle the additional load of holiday lights and decorations
Since 1949, our Estes family has been proudly providing electrical services to the greater Atlanta community, including service areas such as Alpharetta, Buckhead, Decatur, Druid Hills, Dunwoody, Fayetteville, Johns Creek, Kennesaw, Marietta, Midtown, Peachtree City, Roswell, Sandy Springs, and Virginia Highland.
Check out our holiday Special Offers & Coupons to save on your electrical service upgrade.
It's that Easy; It's Estes! From our family to yours, we wish you a very happy holiday season.
FAQs About Holiday Lighting and Electrical Service Upgrades
Do holiday lights really require an electrical service upgrade?
Not always but in many homes, holiday lights and decorations significantly increase the electrical load on existing circuits. If your home has older wiring, a dated breaker panel, or limited outlets, the added power demand can overwhelm the system. An electrical service upgrade ensures your circuits can safely support both everyday electrical devices and holiday lighting displays.
How can I tell if my holiday decorations are overloading a circuit?
Common signs of an overloaded electrical circuit include:
- Flickering or dimming holiday lights
- Warm or buzzing outlets
- Tripping breakers
- Crackling noises from outlets or light fixtures
- Decorations that shut off unexpectedly
If you notice any of these issues, unplug the décor immediately and schedule service with a licensed electrician. Book electrical service
Are LED holiday lights safer than incandescent bulbs?
Yes. LED lights use far less electrical energy, stay cooler, and reduce the load on your home's electrical system. They lower the risk of overloads and electrical fires while helping reduce your electricity bill. Replacing older incandescent lights with LED lighting is one of the easiest ways to improve holiday safety and efficiency.
Should outdoor holiday lights be plugged into GFCI outlets?
Absolutely. Outdoor holiday lighting should always be powered using GFCI outlets. These outlets shut off automatically if moisture, snow, or an electrical imbalance is detected—helping prevent shock hazards. If your outdoor outlets are not GFCI-protected, an electrician can upgrade them quickly.
Learn about GFCI installations
Are extension cords safe for holiday lights?
Extension cords can be used safely if they are:
- Weather-resistant and rated for outdoor use
- Not daisy-chained
- Not overloaded
- Plugged into grounded or GFCI outlets
However, relying on extension cords because you don't have enough outlets may indicate that you need an electrical service upgrade or additional electrical outlets installed by a qualified electrician.
Do I need a circuit breaker upgrade for holiday decorations?
You might. If your breakers trip when holiday lights are plugged in—or if your home has an older, undersized panel—you may need a circuit breaker upgrade. This ensures your system can supply the amount of power needed for both holiday lights and everyday electrical appliances.
Explore panel and breaker upgrades
How do I safely set up holiday lights indoors and outdoors?
To keep your home safe:
- Use LED lights whenever possible
- Avoid plugging too many decorations into a single outlet
- Replace frayed or damaged strings of lights
- Use outdoor-rated extension cords and light sets outside
- Keep cords away from walkways, water, or snow
- Ensure all outdoor decorations are plugged into GFCI outlets
A quick electrical inspection can confirm that your home's wiring and circuits are ready for holiday use.
When should I call an electrician during the holiday season?
You should contact a licensed electrician if you notice:
- Breakers tripping repeatedly
- Burn marks or discoloration on outlets
- Lights that flicker when décor is plugged in
- Strange smells or buzzing sounds
- Warm outlets, switches, or light fixtures
These signs indicate your electrical system may be overloaded or unsafe.
