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Every homeowner has seen it: the lights dim for a second, maybe flicker when the AC kicks on, and then return to normal. It’s easy to shrug off — after all, it’s just a flicker, right?
But sometimes, that flicker is your home trying to tell you something.
As a licensed master electrician in Fort Myers, I’ve seen what starts as a “simple flicker” turn into a serious electrical problem. The key is knowing when it’s harmless — and when it’s time to call in a professional.
Flickering lights can be caused by everything from normal voltage fluctuations to serious wiring or panel issues. In our coastal climate, with humidity, salt air, and frequent storms, electrical systems face even more wear and tear than usual.
Here are the most common causes — and what each one means for your safety.
It’s common for lights to dim slightly when a large appliance turns on — like your air conditioner, pool pump, or refrigerator.
These devices draw a quick burst of current when starting up, known as inrush current. If the flicker is brief and only happens occasionally, it’s usually harmless.
✅ Safe sign: The flicker lasts less than a second and only when a heavy appliance starts.
⚠️ When to worry: The flicker lasts several seconds or happens even when nothing major is running.
If just one light flickers, start with the simple fix: turn off the switch, tighten the bulb, and see if it stops.
Loose bulbs or worn sockets are the most common (and least serious) cause of flickering lights. Over time, vibration or humidity can loosen connections, especially in ceiling fans or outdoor fixtures.
✅ Safe sign: Only one light or fixture flickers, and tightening fixes it.
⚠️ When to worry: Multiple lights on different switches flicker — that points to a wiring or circuit issue.
If multiple lights dim or flicker when several appliances are running, your circuit may be overloaded.
Older Fort Myers homes — especially those with 100-amp panels — were never designed for modern electrical loads like HVAC systems, pool heaters, EV chargers, and multiple TVs.
Overloaded circuits can overheat wiring and cause breakers to trip.
✅ Safe sign: Flickering stops when you unplug some devices.
⚠️ When to worry: Flicker continues or affects multiple rooms even when loads are reduced — it may be time for a panel upgrade.
Learn more: Choosing 150A vs. 200A for Fort Myers Homes
Loose or corroded connections inside outlets, switches, or junction boxes can cause intermittent flickering — and are a major fire risk.
This is especially common in Fort Myers homes affected by humidity or storm moisture. When wiring corrodes, resistance increases, which generates heat.
✅ Safe sign: Flicker is isolated to one room or area.
⚠️ When to worry: You hear buzzing, crackling, or popping sounds, or smell burning plastic — turn off power and call an electrician immediately.
If your lights flicker on certain circuits or after storms, this Fort Myers hidden neutral fault case study shows how a small loose connection caused major voltage swings — and how we fixed it safely.
Your electrical panel distributes power to every circuit in your home. When breakers or bus bars inside the panel become loose or corroded, lights can flicker intermittently across multiple rooms.
Panels more than 25 years old — especially Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or Challenger brands — are notorious for these issues and are often deemed unsafe by insurers.
If your lights flicker randomly throughout the house, your panel could be the problem.
Learn more: How to Spot an Unsafe Electrical Panel in Fort Myers Homes
Sometimes, the issue is outside your home.
Voltage variations from Florida Power & Light (FPL) can cause flickering — especially during storms or peak demand times. Power surges or drops are common in coastal areas where grid loads change quickly.
If all your neighbors’ lights flicker too, it’s likely a utility issue. Still, it’s worth installing whole-home surge protectionto prevent future damage to your appliances and electronics.
When the issue comes from the grid, learn how SPDs help ride through dips and sags with our Fort Myers guide on protection from brownouts.
Old dimmer switches, especially those not rated for LED bulbs, can cause flickering.
Many older dimmers were designed for incandescent lights and don’t regulate LED power properly. The result: a constant, subtle flicker that’s annoying but not dangerous.
✅ Fix: Replace outdated dimmers with LED-compatible dimmer switches.
⚠️ Caution: If replacing the switch doesn’t help, the issue may be in the circuit wiring itself.
If outdated dimmers are the culprit, consider these smart switch upgrades that play nicely with LEDs and reduce nuisance flicker without rewiring.
If you ever hear a sizzle or crackle behind a switch or outlet when the light flickers, it could be arcing — when electricity jumps across a loose connection or damaged wire.
Arcing creates intense heat and is one of the most common causes of residential electrical fires.
Modern homes now require AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) breakers that detect and stop arcing before it starts a fire.
If your home doesn’t have them — or you notice any arcing signs — call a licensed electrician immediately.
Learn more: Arc-Fault & GFCI Breakers in Fort Myers Homes Explained
Here’s a quick guide to help you tell the difference:
| Flicker Pattern | What It Means | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Single light flickers occasionally | Loose bulb or fixture | Tighten bulb, check fixture |
| Several lights flicker on one circuit | Overloaded or loose wiring | Have the circuit inspected |
| Whole house flickers | Panel or utility issue | Call electrician or FPL |
| Flicker with buzzing or burning smell | Arcing/faulty wiring | Shut off power and call immediately |
| Flicker increases after a storm | Moisture or corrosion | Schedule an inspection |
If in doubt, always err on the side of safety. Electrical issues often start small and escalate quickly.
Florida’s environment is tough on electrical systems.
Humidity and salt air corrode breakers, outlets, and wiring faster than in inland areas.
Frequent lightning and storms cause surges and voltage drops.
Older panels from mid-century homes can’t handle today’s electrical loads.
At Coharbor Electric, we use corrosion-resistant components and weather-rated enclosures designed for coastal conditions — because Fort Myers homes need electrical systems built to last.
You should call a professional if:
Flickering happens in multiple rooms.
Lights dim when you use major appliances.
You notice buzzing, popping, or burning smells.
The flicker is worsening over time.
You have an older or ungrounded electrical panel.
These are all signs of potential wiring, circuit, or panel issues that need professional diagnosis.
Still deciding what’s urgent and what can wait? Browse our Fort Myers-focused repair FAQ for timelines, safety tips, and next steps.
A homeowner in south Fort Myers called after noticing kitchen lights flickering whenever the AC turned on. They assumed it was normal — until one day, the lights went out entirely.
We found that corrosion inside the main panel caused voltage drops each time the compressor started. The panel was a 1980s Challenger model — outdated and unsafe.
We replaced it with a new 200-amp Square D QO panel and added surge protection. The flickering stopped completely — and the home now meets modern safety standards.
A flickering light might seem minor, but it can be an early warning sign of something serious — from overloaded circuits to hidden wiring damage.
If you’re seeing flickers, especially after storms or when large appliances start up, don’t ignore it. Let a professional take a look before it turns into a costly (or dangerous) problem.
Contact Coharbor Electric today to schedule an inspection. Our team of Fort Myers electricians will identify the cause, make safe repairs, and ensure your home’s lighting — and power — stays steady.
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At Coharbor Electric, this is what to expect when entrusting us with fixing your electrical issues.
The first step is to get all the information we will need so that we can correctly assess the problem or situation. The photos or videos you send will be sent directly to the electrician.
Once our electrician has the info he needs, we will dispatch one in the next available spot–armed with expertise, equipment, and the parts he’ll most likely need.
Our Promise is to to You is to perform the job completely, efficiently, and to the Florida electrical code standards. We are committed to fair and honest pricing.
We offer flat rate pricing for service calls, so you always know the price up front. Simple to understand. Flat-rate fixed price so you can be confident you’ll get what paid for.
As a Florida homeowner, you have an endless list of choices for electrical contractors to hire…some great, some good, some bad.
At Coharbor Electric, our benchmark is to be “great”. If you decide to hire us for your electrical service, here’s what you can expect from our electricians: