Why Do My Home Lights Flicker? Common Causes

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11 Nov,2025

Our Smartron Technician Explains What It Means For Maitland & Winter Park Homeowners & When It’s Time To Be Concerned

If your lights flicker occasionally at home, you’re not alone especially if you live in Maitland,
Winter Park, & Orlando. No doubt, you’ve noticed your lights flicker and dim during storm season.
After all, Florida is called the Lightning Capital for a reason. During lightning storms, quick voltage surges and drops can make your lights flicker even if your home is not directly struck by lightning. Sometimes though, that light flicker is an indication that something more concerning is happening inside your electrical system. We have seen it all harmless flickers caused by a loose bulb to dangerous wiring issues hiding behind walls and electrical panels. Let’s break down some of the potential causes for lights
flickering and when it’s time to call a licensed electrician.

When Flickering Lights Are Normal and When They’re Not

A quick, momentary flicker when your AC unit, fridge, or washer starts up is usually fine
and simply your electrical system adjusting to a sudden power demand on the circuit.
But if you begin to notice:

Buzzing sounds coming from switches or outlets
Then your home is telling you something isn’t right.
Lights that are dimming in multiple rooms
Flickering lights that worsen during storms
Lights that randomly brighten and dim

5 Common Causes of Flickering Lights

A Loose Bulb or Fixture Connection
Sometimes, it’s really that easy. Simply turn off the switch, tighten the bulb, or try a replacement bulb. If it still flickers, or if multiple rooms are affected, the issue is likely deeper.
Your Circuits Are Overloaded
If you have too many large appliances sharing one circuit, each time an appliance turns on, your lights might dim or flicker. It’s not uncommon for older homes in Maitland and Winter Park to have circuits that weren’t built for today’s modern electrical loads.
Lightning Storms & Power Surges
Winter Park & Orlando homes experience frequent voltage fluctuations from storms and lightning strikes.
Power surges may not cause visible damage immediately, but over time they weaken your electrical system and are especially problematic for sensitive electronics and LED lighting.
Smartron Electric has helped countless homeowners whose flickering lights were actually a warning sign
of past power-surge damage.
Loose Neutral Wire
A loose neutral wire is one of the most dangerous causes of flickering lights. It can cause
inconsistent voltage throughout your home, allowing some lights to be brighter while others are dim.
This electrical problem can overheat wires and create a fire hazard if ignored.
If you notice that your whole house flickers or you see it happen randomly, turn off sensitive electronics and call a licensed electrician immediately.
Your Electrical Panel Is Outdated
Your electrical panel is the “ heart” of your home’s electrical system. If it’s more than 20 years old, it is very difficult for the outdated electrical panel to safely handle today’s modern power demands.

Quick tip (1):
If you notice the same light flicker every time the air conditioner starts, it’s a strong indication
the circuit needs evaluation or redistribution by a licensed electrician.
Quick Tip (2):
Older electrical panels (like Zinsco, Federal Pacific, or ungrounded fuse boxes) can lead to
flickering, breakers tripping, overheating and even fires.
Master Electrician

Questions Winter Park & Maitland Clients Are Asking

Why do my lights flicker every time the AC turns on?
Typically, because large modern appliances draw a heavy startup current. It’s a sign that circuit balancing or one dedicated-circuit for the appliance is necessary.

Why do all my lights flicker when it rains?
Usually, it’s caused by lightning related surges or fluctuating power within your utility service.
Whole-home surge protection installed at the electrical panel can eliminate this issue and protect all your electronics.

Is it possible for flickering lights to be a sign of fire hazards?
In short, yes. If the flickering is caused by arcing, damaged wiring, or loose connections it can be quite hazardous. It is very important to have a licensed electrician identify the root cause, quickly.

Can I fix the problem myself?
Yes, you can check simple things like bulb tightness and dimmer compatibility. But if the flickering
is ongoing or affects multiple rooms, it’s time to call an electrical professional. Electrical issues behind walls and inside of the electrical panel is definitely not DIY territory due to safety and local-code concerns.

Homeowner Experiences

Maitland homeowner: During a thunderstorm, several of their lights were flickering and by morning
the refrigerator stopped working. Unfortunately, an electrical surge fried the thermostat and control board in the refrigerator.
Winter Park family: While a summer storm came through, a nearby lightning strike took out the family’s washer machine and
thermostat even though the electrical breaker never tripped.
Baldwin Park resident: They began noticing lights flickering after every rain storm. An electrical assessment by our
technician revealed scorched marks inside the electrical panel. Years of small power surges had worn down the wiring, creating a
fire hazard.
Each one of the above situations cost hundreds and even thousands in appliance replacements and every one of them was
preventable with whole-home surge protection.

Why Surge Protection Is An Absolute Must

Power surges don’t just destroy electronics, appliances & HVAC systems— they also shorten the life of everything plugged into your home’s electrical system.

Examples Include:
–Refrigerators & dishwashers
-Smart thermostats & Wi-Fi routers
-TVs & computers
-LED lighting & dimmers
-HVACs

A whole-home surge protector installed at your electrical panel will protect the entire home— not simply a few outlets. It absorbs and grounds sudden voltage spikes before they reach your costly devices.
At Smartron Electric, we highly recommend whole home surge protection for every Central Florida home.
It’s an affordable, long-lasting power surge solution that will provide you peace of mind.

Some Pro Tips From Your Local Electrician

Use compatible LED bulbs with dimmer switches because not all of them are universal.
Have your electrician label the circuits so you know which and how many appliances share a line.
Schedule a whole home electrical assessment, especially before the Florida storm season begins.
Update old electrical panels if your home is over 20 years old or showing signs of power strain.
Invest in whole-home surge protection because it’s the safest upgrade Maitland, Winter Park & Orlando homeowners can make.