Why Do Your Lights Flicker When The AC Unit Turns On?

Posted on July 11th, 2022 by Devine Bros

You may have caught that your lights tend to flicker or dim when the air conditioning unit kicks on. Many factors contribute to this happening, including factors that don’t even have anything to do with your HVAC system at all! 

We’re here to fill you in on why this happens and what you can do to prevent it from occurring in your home from here on out. 

How The Electricity in Your Home Works

Electricity is the outpour of electrons via a conductor, like a wire. In order for this to happen, the electrons need to be able to move freely. When your air conditioner turns on, it creates a magnetic field that can disrupt the flow of electrons — thus causing the lights to flicker.

More Details About These Flickers

The quick flicker you see when your air conditioner turns on is caused by the sudden surge of electricity needed to power the unit. With this disruption, a dip can be rendered in the voltage supplied to your home, which in turn can cause your lights to dim. While it’s annoying, it’s not harmful and usually lasts only a few seconds. 

What Can You Do About This?

If you have fluorescent or LED light bulbs in your home, office, or bedroom, turn them off before turning on your AC, and they should stay off until the AC turns off again. If that doesn’t work, adjust your lighting system so that it runs only at night. You can also purchase new light bulbs that run on low voltage, which will turn off automatically with any fluctuations in power usage. 

If you believe there may be an issue with your home’s electrical systems, get in touch with a professional. 

Also, make sure you’re using an energy-efficient model. These types of units use less electricity while still being able to keep your house cool. Plus, you’ll save annually on cooling costs by investing in a high-efficiency air conditioner.

Get Your Cooling Upgrade Today

Helping Norwalk homeowners improve their lives is something Devine Brothers has been providing to their customers for over 100 years! If you’re interested in learning more about our service or need supplies, make sure to get in contact with us today! For more tips & tricks, make sure to like us on Facebook.