New Year, Safe Start: 7 Electrical Checks Every Homeowner Should Make at the Beginning of the Year
As we begin a new year, many homeowners are setting goals for healthier habits, better finances, or cleaner spaces—but what about one of the most important parts of your home: your electrical system?
At W.J. Whitley Electric & Communications LLC, we’ve served Gloucester, the Middle Peninsula, and Northern Neck communities for over 50 years. And if there’s one thing we know, it’s that preventative maintenance saves money, protects property, and could even save lives. Electrical issues are often hidden behind walls or inside overloaded panels—until they aren’t. January is the perfect time to catch small problems before they become major ones.
Here’s your homeowner checklist to start the year safe, secure, and powered with confidence.
🔌 Why January is the Right Time for an Electrical Safety Check
The holiday season typically means heavy electrical usage—space heaters, Christmas lights, kitchen appliances running nonstop—and that all adds up. January brings colder weather, greater reliance on backup heating, and the start of a new billing cycle.
It’s also one of the most common months for residential fires caused by electrical malfunctions. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical distribution and lighting equipment are involved in over 30,000 home fires each year.
January gives you a natural reset. Instead of reacting to an outage, flickering lights, or tripped breakers, you can take a proactive approach and prevent these issues before they start.
7 Electrical Checks to Make in January
1. Test GFCI and AFCI Outlets
GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) are designed to cut off power instantly if there’s a shock risk, such as moisture in a kitchen, bathroom, or outdoor outlet. AFCIs (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters) shut down power if they detect an arc fault—typically caused by damaged wires or loose connections behind walls.
What You Should Do:
Locate each GFCI outlet in your home. Press the “Test” button. The outlet should immediately cut power to that plug and anything else it controls.
Then press “Reset” to restore power.
If it doesn’t respond, or won’t reset, it needs replacement.
For AFCIs, look inside your panel for special labeled breakers and use the test function if available.
Why It Matters: These are your first line of defense against electrical shocks and fires. If you live in an older home that doesn’t have GFCIs installed in kitchens, baths, laundry rooms, or outdoors—it’s time for an upgrade.
2. Inspect Your Electrical Panel
Your electrical panel is like your home’s nervous system. It distributes power safely and evenly throughout your home—until something interrupts that flow.
Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore:
You hear buzzing or humming near the panel
You smell something burning or see scorch marks
Your breakers trip regularly
The panel is over 20–25 years old
Your panel is made by a manufacturer known for safety issues (like Federal Pacific or Zinsco)
What You Can Do:
Open the panel door and give it a quick look and listen. If anything seems off, call in a licensed electrician for a professional inspection. We’ll assess load balance, look for outdated wiring, and recommend updates as needed.
Bonus Tip: If you’re planning renovations or just added a major appliance (like a hot tub, EV charger, or HVAC upgrade), your panel may need to be resized to meet the new demands.
3. Check for Overloaded Circuits
Holiday decorations and extra kitchen gadgets often lead to overloaded circuits that can wear down your wiring or trip breakers repeatedly.
What to Look For:
Lights dimming when appliances turn on
Frequently tripped breakers
Outlets that feel warm to the touch
Extension cords used long-term
Buzzing or static from outlets or switches
If any of this sounds familiar, your home may need a dedicated circuit or a few new outlets. We can evaluate your load usage and prevent dangerous overloads—especially if your home was built before the modern code standard of 1 circuit per room.
4. Replace Loose, Discolored, or Sparking Outlets
Outlets that don’t hold plugs snugly, appear cracked, or spark when you insert a plug are not just annoying—they’re dangerous.
What You Can Do:
Check each outlet with a plug. If it wobbles or won’t hold, it’s time to replace.
Look for scorch marks or discoloration around outlets and switches.
Replace two-prong outlets (common in older homes) with grounded, three-prong outlets for better protection.
These fixes are relatively simple and affordable when caught early—and we’re happy to do a quick walk-through and make recommendations.
5. Install Whole-Home Surge Protection
You might think of surge protectors only in terms of lightning, but most surges come from within your home—things like AC compressors cycling on, power grid fluctuations, or faulty appliances. These “mini surges” wear down sensitive electronics over time.
What to Consider:
Install surge-protecting power strips on expensive devices (TVs, computers, routers, etc.)
Invest in a whole-home surge protector that connects at your panel for layered protection
Schedule a free estimate with our team—we’ll evaluate your exposure and recommend the right model
Especially with the rising cost of appliances, it’s better to protect than replace.
6. Check Smoke Detectors and CO Alarms
According to the NFPA, nearly 60% of home fire deaths happen in homes without working smoke alarms. If your detectors are chirping, missing batteries, or more than 10 years old, now’s the time to act.
January Checklist:
Test all smoke alarms and CO detectors
Replace batteries (even in hardwired models with battery backups)
Install alarms in hallways, inside every bedroom, and on each level of your home
Make sure at least one CO detector is near your heating system and any attached garage
Don’t have the right detectors installed? We can wire in code-compliant smoke/CO combo units for reliable, year-round protection.
7. Schedule a Professional Inspection
Even if everything looks okay on the surface, there’s no substitute for a licensed electrician doing a thorough inspection of your wiring, panel, outlets, lighting, and grounding system.
Why It’s Worth It:
We catch hidden issues like double-tapped breakers, outdated wiring, overloaded circuits, and improper installations
We ensure everything is up to Virginia code and national NEC standards
We help you make a plan for future upgrades or improvements
We offer free estimates and straight talk—no pressure
Start the year with peace of mind. A one-hour visit could prevent a very expensive problem down the road.
🛠️ Why Trust W.J. Whitley Electric?
Family-owned and operated since 1972
Fully licensed and insured for residential and commercial work
Known for affordability, integrity, and code-compliant craftsmanship
Proudly serving Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, and surrounding areas
Authorized Briggs & Stratton generator dealer and service provider
When you work with us, you’re more than a number—you’re a neighbor. We believe in doing the job right the first time and backing our work with trust and transparency.
🗓️ Ready to Schedule Your Safety Check?
Start 2026 with confidence. Whether you need a quick outlet repair, a new panel, or just want a second opinion—we’re here to help.
📞 Call us at 804-693-1256
🌐 www.wjwhitleyelectric.com
📍 Serving Gloucester, the Middle Peninsula, and Northern Neck
