By Brian Millman Electric – Licensed & Insured • Free Estimates: (215) 355-6189
As winter settles in across Pennsylvania, homeowners face unique electrical challenges. Between blown fuses, ice-laden storms, shortened daylight hours and increased heating loads, now is the perfect time to ensure your home’s electrical system is safe, efficient, and ready for the season.
At Brian Millman Electric, we’ve been proudly serving Bucks and Montgomery Counties for decades—delivering reliable, honest electrical work backed by a one-year labor and material warranty.
Here are five key tips to keep your home safe, warm, and energy-smart this winter.
1. Inspect Your Breaker Panel for Warning Signs
An older home that hasn’t had an electrical upgrade may struggle once the cold weather sets in. Flickering lights, warm outlets, or breakers that trip when heaters or appliances run are all red flags.
What to look for:
- A main breaker that may be undersized for today’s electrical demands
- Circuits that are unlabeled or mislabeled
- Breakers that trip repeatedly
- Panels over 20 years old or wiring added in pieces over time
If your system shows any of these signs, a professional inspection or service upgrade can prevent winter-related hazards. Our team handles safe, code-compliant panel upgrades and whole-home rewiring—visit our Electrical Services page to learn more.
2. Prepare for Winter Storms & Power Outages
Pennsylvania winters often bring heavy snow and ice that can down lines and knock out power. A little preparation can prevent a lot of inconvenience.
Best practices:
- Consider installing a standby generator to keep essential devices running
- Add whole-home surge protection to defend against voltage spikes
- Disconnect sensitive electronics if you suspect surges
- Keep garage door manual operation ready during outages
- Check outdoor outlets for proper weather-resistant covers
Our licensed electricians install and maintain Generac generators and surge protection systems to help keep your home powered safely. Review Our Generac Services Page.
3. Improve Lighting Safety for Long Winter Nights
Shorter days mean more time spent in low light conditions—both indoors and outdoors.
Winter lighting tips:
- Install motion-activated or timed outdoor lighting for safety
- Upgrade to LED bulbs designed for cold-weather performance
- Ensure exterior fixtures are sealed and weather-tight
- Consider pathway lighting for icy walkways and driveways
We offer expert installation of both indoor and outdoor lighting systems—details are available on our Lighting Services Page page.
4. Make Sure Heating & Major Appliances Use Proper Circuits
Winter adds extra load to your system. Furnaces, heaters, dryers, EV chargers and other high-draw appliances must operate on dedicated circuits.
Watch for:
- Breakers that trip when major appliances start
- Space heaters that dim lights or overload outlets
- Extension cords used long-term for high-wattage devices
A dedicated circuit upgrade ensures your major appliances run safely and efficiently, especially during peak winter usage.
5. Reduce Energy Costs with Smart Electrical Upgrades
Energy bills naturally rise during Pennsylvania winters. A few strategic electrical improvements can make a noticeable difference.
Quick wins:
- Switch to LED bulbs throughout the home
- Add occupancy sensors or timers in low-use rooms
- Install programmable thermostats
- Ensure wiring for your HVAC system is in good condition
- Consider whole-home surge protection to prevent costly damage
These upgrades not only save energy—they improve comfort, safety and long-term reliability.
Why Homeowners Choose Brian Millman Electric
- Licensed & insured electricians
- Free estimates with no surprises
- Clean, respectful service from uniformed technicians
- One-year warranty on all installations
- Decades of trusted service throughout Bucks & Montgomery Counties
Schedule Your Winter Electrical Check-Up
Don’t wait for a storm or a mid-winter outage. Call (215) 355-6189 to schedule service or request an estimate. Our team will inspect your system and ensure your home is winter-ready, safe, and fully powered.
