Tennessee summers are no joke—and when the heat rises, so does the demand on your electrical system. From running air conditioners around the clock to powering ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators, your home or business faces a heavy seasonal electrical load.

At AC/DC Electrical Services, we’ve seen firsthand how summer overloads can lead to blown circuits, tripped breakers, and even fire hazards. That’s why understanding electrical load management is crucial—especially in the peak cooling season.

What Is Electrical Load Management?

Electrical load management refers to how you balance and control the total power demand on your electrical system at any given time. When too many high-wattage devices are in use simultaneously, your system can become overloaded—especially if it’s older or underpowered.

This is particularly common during:

• Midday to early evening hours (when everyone’s AC is running)

• Periods of extreme heat or heatwaves

• Days with high humidity requiring longer cooling cycles

Why Overloads Happen in the Summer

Several factors contribute to summer overloads:

• HVAC units running for hours at a time

• Window units or portable ACs supplementing central air

• Increased use of pool pumps, outdoor lighting, fans, and dehumidifiers

• Simultaneous use of kitchen appliances like ovens and microwaves

• Charging electric vehicles or operating power tools during the hottest parts of the day

If your panel isn’t rated for this level of demand—or if wiring is outdated—it can trip breakers or cause overheating.

How to Prevent Summer Overloads

1. Get an Electrical Panel Assessment
Older homes with 100-amp panels may not be built to handle modern cooling demands. We can evaluate whether you need an electrical panel upgrade to 200 amps or more.

2. Stagger Appliance Use
Avoid using major appliances (dishwasher, washer/dryer, oven) during peak cooling hours. This spreads out your electrical load.

3. Install Dedicated Circuits for HVAC or Pool Equipment
High-draw equipment should run on its own circuit to prevent tripping breakers elsewhere in the home.

4. Use Smart Home Automation
Smart thermostats and energy monitors can reduce system strain by automating and scheduling heavy electrical loads.

5. Regular HVAC Maintenance
A struggling AC unit draws more power. Clean filters, tune-ups, and system checks can improve efficiency and reduce draw.

6. Install Surge Protection
Overloads can spike voltage. Whole-home surge protection helps guard your appliances and sensitive electronics.

Warning Signs of an Overloaded System

Call us if you notice:

• Frequently tripped breakers or blown fuses

• Dimming lights when AC or appliances kick on

• Buzzing outlets or a warm electrical panel

• A burning smell near outlets or wiring

These are serious signs your system may be struggling—and it’s better to address it now than after an outage or electrical fire.

Beat the Heat Without Overloading Your System

At AC/DC Electrical Services, we serve homeowners, farms, and businesses across Middle Tennessee and Northern Alabama, helping them stay safe and cool—without overtaxing their systems.

Whether you need a panel upgrade, new circuits, or smart load management solutions, we’ve got you covered this summer.

📞 Contact us today for an electrical safety inspection or load management consultation before the hottest days hit!