Electricians in Winter: How the Seasons Change Things
Is Electrical a Seasonal Service?
At any time of year your electrical systems can fail. However, many parts of the electrical repair industry is seasonal for a number of reasons that impact both contractors and consumers. The need and elective want for services vary based on time of year, and winter is probably the time of year that is most different. Understanding why and how it is different can help the electricians in winter navigate certain seasonal difficulties while helping consumers understand what to expect.
Is it the Temperature?
When dealing with something like your air conditioner, the outside air temperature has a dramatic impact on its function and chance of failure. And this is easy to understand, right? If it is very cold outside then your heater is running more, and if it is very hot then your air conditioner is running more, and the more your AC runs the more wear and tear it experiences. When it experiences more wear and tear it creates an increased risk of breakdown. It's almost like simple math: the more it runs, the faster it will require maintenance and repair.
When it comes to electrical systems, we don't usually think of it in any way regarding temperature. But temperature actually does make a difference. Your wiring, whether the wires running to your HVAC or stove or other appliances, is more likely to melt or suffer another failure under high heat. Lower outside air temperatures can help cool wiring that is overheating due to a short or other issue, ultimately delaying or preventing failure. You also tend to use more electricity in the warmer months when running your air conditioner, which puts more strain on your wires and electrical panel. This makes the cooler months less likely to see electrical failures and lines the electrical trade up more to be busy during the summer.
Besides Temperature, Are There Other Factors?
When talking to electricians in winter about the rate of electrical failures and how busy they may or may not be, there are more factors involved than just temperature. The winter months include more holidays, and holidays mean changes in consumer habits. From overspending at Christmas to dealing with seasonal depression, consumers tend to neglect home repairs and improvements during the colder months.
When money is tight after the Christmas splurging, if it isn't an essential repair it just has to wait. A single outlet not working doesn't so significantly impact your comfort that it can't wait until you pay down a little Christmas debt. A few months later, especially after maybe receiving a great tax refund in March or April, is a much easier time to stomach repairing some of those non-essential electrical issues.
Another great example of a seasonal difference due to consumer habits is the concern (or lack thereof) for outside living spaces. When it is cold and unpleasant outside it is easy to neglect improving or maintaining those spaces. From exterior lighting to landscaping, it just isn't a priority.
So, if Electricians in Winter are Slow, is That a Great Time for Good Deals?
When work gets slow, whether for an HVAC contractor or plumber or other tradesman, you sometimes can find they're willing to discount their rates a bit. But a well-established, respectable company generally won't. On the flipside of that, a respectable company won't increase their prices when the demand is high. A solid company knows the value of its services and won't try to take advantage of a market in high demand, nor will they devalue their services by reducing their prices in the winter. But for a consumer who wants to check around enough, finding a cheaper electrical repair or installation service during the winter is often possible.
Considering Hiring an Electrician in Winter?
If you're in need of an electrical repair or upgrade, whether during winter or another season, our team can help. Our electricians offer fair, upfront pricing all year long for whatever you might need.