Summer Surge: Stop Overloading Circuits During the Hot Months

Your home’s electrical system is the backbone of modern living, quietly distributing power to keep everything running smoothly. However, when too many devices demand electricity at once, circuits can overload and lead to tripped breakers, flickering lights or even fire hazards.

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Understanding how to prevent circuit overload is essential for ensuring safety, particularly in the warmer months when electrical demand spikes.

Why Do Circuits Overload More in the Summer?

Summer is the peak season for circuit overloads, and for good reason. With temperatures soaring, homeowners crank up air conditioners, ceiling fans and dehumidifiers — each pulling a significant amount of power.

But that’s not the only reason summer puts extra strain on your home’s electrical system. Heat itself increases electrical resistance in wires, making circuits more prone to overheating. The expansion of electrical components due to heat can also reduce efficiency, requiring even more power to maintain performance. Add in summer’s higher outdoor electricity use (like pool pumps, patio lighting, power tools), and it’s easy to see why breakers trip more often.

Older homes face even greater risks. Many were built when electrical demands were far lower, often with panels rated at 60 or 100 amps compared to the 200-amp panels that are standard today. If your home’s panel hasn’t been updated, it may not handle modern power loads efficiently and make overloads more frequent.

Additionally, summer storms increase the likelihood of power surges, which can cause sudden electrical spikes that overload circuits. If your home is hit by a power surge after a storm, you might notice flickering lights or unexpected breaker trips that signal excessive electrical demand.

The Signs of an Overloaded Circuit

Recognizing the signs of an overloaded circuit can help prevent damage before it happens. Keep an eye out for the following:

• Frequent breaker trips: If your breaker keeps shutting off, your circuit is likely drawing more power than it can handle.

• Dimming or flickering lights: Lights shouldn’t dim when you turn on another appliance. If they do, it’s a sign that the circuit is being overloaded.

• Warm or scorched outlets: Outlets that feel hot to the touch or show discoloration indicate excess heat buildup.

• Buzzing sounds or burning smells: If you hear a faint hum or smell burning plastic near an outlet, shut off the power immediately and call an electrician.

• Sparking outlets: If plugging in or unplugging an appliance results in a visible spark, your circuit may be overloaded.

Dangers of an Overloaded Circuit

When a circuit is overloaded, the breaker is designed to trip and cut off power as a safety measure. But if the breaker fails or is overridden, excess electricity can cause wires to overheat, potentially melting insulation and sparking electrical fires.

Other risks of an overloaded circuit include:

• Appliance damage: Overloading can shorten the lifespan of sensitive electronics like TVs, gaming consoles and computers.

• Power surges: Too much demand on a single circuit can cause fluctuations that damage appliances even if no fire occurs.

• Loss of power during critical times: An overloaded circuit can trip unexpectedly, cutting power when you need it most.

Additionally, homes with outdated electrical panels or faulty wiring face a greater risk of short circuits, which can cause even more dangerous electrical failures.

How to Prevent Circuit Overload

The good news? Preventing circuit overload is entirely possible with the following electrical practices:

1. Distribute Electrical Loads Evenly

Instead of plugging all your high-wattage appliances into the same outlets, spread them out across different circuits. For example, plug your air conditioner into a different circuit than your TV and computer to balance the electrical load.

2. Avoid Overusing Extension Cords and Power Strips

It’s tempting to solve a lack of outlets by stringing together extension cords or plugging multiple power strips into the same outlet. But this quick fix creates a fire hazard and increases the risk of circuit overload. Each outlet is connected to a circuit with a set limit on how much power it can safely provide. When too many devices are drawing power from the same outlet (especially through extension cords) that circuit can become dangerously overloaded.

If you frequently rely on extension cords or power strips to plug in multiple devices in one area, it's a sign that you may need more permanent outlets or a circuit expansion. Talk to a licensed electrician about installing additional outlets or redistributing your circuits more efficiently.

3. Use Dedicated Circuits for High-Wattage Appliances

High-wattage appliances (like refrigerators, microwaves, washing machines, dryers, space heaters and window AC units) draw a considerable amount of power when in use. Plugging them into a shared circuit that also powers lights or smaller electronics can easily overwhelm the system. That’s why they should be connected to dedicated circuits, meaning a single circuit breaker supplies power exclusively to that one appliance.

To set this up, a licensed electrician will start by evaluating your electrical panel to ensure it has the capacity to support a new circuit. If there's room, they’ll install a separate breaker designated solely for that appliance. From there, they’ll run new wiring directly from the panel to the specific location where the appliance is used, either as a dedicated outlet or a hardwired connection. Once installed, the new circuit will be labeled clearly at the breaker panel for easy identification in the future.

4. Upgrade Your Electrical Panel If Necessary

If your home’s electrical panel hasn’t been updated in decades, it might be struggling to keep up with the demands of modern life. Older panels (especially those rated at 60 or 100 amps) were designed in an era when homes didn’t rely on nearly as many appliances or devices as we do today. With today’s high-powered technology and the number of devices running simultaneously, these outdated panels can become a bottleneck in your home’s electrical system, increasing the chances of circuit overloads and tripped breakers.

Upgrading to a 200-amp service gives your home the extra breathing room it needs. It allows your system to handle more electrical load safely and supports the addition of dedicated circuits for high-wattage appliances. An upgrade involves replacing the main panel and sometimes the service line feeding into your home — tasks that must be done by a licensed electrician and may also require coordination with your utility company.

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5. Be Mindful of Summer Electrical Usage

During hot months, stagger high-energy appliances to avoid overwhelming circuits. For example:

Run your dishwasher at night when the air conditioner isn’t working as hard.

Use fans to circulate air instead of lowering the thermostat.

Plug outdoor appliances into separate circuits from indoor ones.

6. Identify and Label Circuit Breakers

Knowing which breaker controls each part of your home can help you quickly diagnose and prevent overload issues. If you’re unsure, a licensed electrician can map out your circuits for you.

7. Install Surge Protectors

Power surges, especially during summer storms, can exacerbate circuit overloads. Whole-house surge protectors help absorb excess electricity, protecting your appliances and electrical panel.

8. Check for Faulty or Outdated Wiring

Worn-out wiring, particularly in older homes, increases resistance and heat buildup, making overloads more likely. Over time, insulation can crack, connections may loosen and wires can degrade, all of which increase resistance and heat buildup — key ingredients for a potential circuit overload or even an electrical fire.

Faulty wiring can also lead to short circuits, where electricity takes an unintended path and creates sudden surges that trip breakers or damage appliances. Warning signs of bad wiring include discolored or warm outlets, burning smells, flickering lights or frequent tripping of breakers even when the load isn’t unusually high. In some cases, the problem may not be visible and can only be discovered through a professional inspection.

If your home is more than a few decades old and hasn’t had a recent electrical assessment, it’s a good idea to call in a licensed electrician to evaluate your wiring. They can identify risks, make necessary upgrades and bring your system up to current safety standards.