The holiday season can put added pressure on commercial electrical systems across North Carolina. Between decorative lighting, temporary equipment, space heaters, and extended business hours, your building may be using more power than usual—and often on circuits that weren’t designed for it. Even a small overload can lead to equipment shutting off, tripped breakers, or costly downtime.
This guide breaks down the practical, money-saving steps facility managers can take to keep operations running safely and smoothly through December.
Why Holiday Electrical Overloads Happen
During December, commercial buildings tend to use electricity differently than they do the rest of the year. These changes add up quickly and can strain circuits, wiring, and service panels.
Common Contributors to Overloads
- Decorative holiday lighting, especially older incandescent strands
- Extra plug-in devices, such as temporary displays or seasonal POS equipment
- Space heaters, which use a high amount of electricity and can easily overload circuits
- Extended hours, which increase lighting, heating, and equipment use
- Aging electrical infrastructure, more common in older commercial properties
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), lighting alone can account for around 17% of electricity use in commercial buildings, depending on the type of business. When additional seasonal lighting and equipment are added on top, it raises the risk of overloads even more.
Signs Your Commercial Property May Be Headed Toward an Overload
Identifying early warning signs can help you avoid repairs or downtime.
Watch for:
- Lights dim when other equipment turns on
- Breakers tripping repeatedly
- Outlets or plugs that feel warm to the touch
- A burning smell or buzzing sound near electrical panels
- Extension cords or power strips are used in place of proper outlets
If any of these issues occur, the safest next step is to pause new electrical use on that circuit and have a licensed electrician inspect the load capacity.
Safe Ways to Manage Holiday Lighting in Commercial Spaces
Holiday lighting can bring life to an office, storefront, or property—and it doesn’t have to cause electrical trouble. With the right setup, you can keep safety and efficiency in balance.
Use Low-Load Lighting Options
LED holiday lights use up to 80% less electricity than traditional incandescent lighting, and they produce far less heat. That means they put much less strain on your circuits while still allowing your building to look festive.
Most commercial buildings still rely on older fluorescent lighting systems, with LED lighting less than 10% of floorspace overall. If your building uses mostly fluorescent or CFL fixtures, adding older holiday lights on top can increase your electrical load quickly—making this a good time to reassess the type of décor lighting you use.
Avoid Daisy-Chaining Too Many Light Strands
Plugging multiple light strands into one outlet—called daisy-chaining—can easily overload circuits. Manufacturers usually recommend:
- No more than three incandescent strands per outlet
- Dozens of LED strands per outlet, depending on wattage
Always check the manufacturer’s rating on the packaging for safe use. Look for the maximum number of strands allowed per outlet and the total wattage. This simple check helps prevent overloaded circuits and keeps your holiday lighting safe.
Use Timers to Control Peak Load
A time switch (also called a timer switch)is a simple plug-in device that turns your holiday lights on and off at set times. Using timers helps keep lights from running during your busiest business hours and makes sure everything shuts off automatically at night, which reduces unnecessary electrical load and energy use.
Place Lights on Different Circuits
Spreading out the lighting reduces the chance of any single circuit becoming overloaded. Spreading lights across multiple circuits—for example, putting lights on the north side of the building on one circuit and the south side on another—helps balance the load and keeps your electrical system safer.
Managing High-Load Equipment During the Winter Season
Space heaters, temporary warmers, and seasonal equipment create some of the biggest overload risks. Plug high-wattage devices into dedicated outlets, avoid running multiple heaters on the same circuit, and use commercial-rated equipment when possible.
Safer Alternatives Facility Managers Should Consider
- Improve building-wide heating efficiency instead of adding plug-in heaters
- Use commercial-rated equipment instead of consumer plug-ins
- Ensure high-load devices are connected to circuits designed for them
- Avoid running multiple heaters or appliances on the same outlet
Even a single portable heater can draw 1,500 watts, which can quickly overwhelm a standard 15-amp circuit.
How to Reduce Electrical Strain in Older NC Commercial Buildings
Many commercial properties in North Carolina were built before modern energy demands became common. If the electrical system hasn’t been updated, it may struggle during heavy December use.
Recommended Steps
- Have a licensed electrician do an electrical inspection of the panel for capacity
- Check for deteriorated wiring or loose connections
- Consider adding new dedicated circuits for seasonal equipment
- Replace outdated lighting with LED upgrades
These upgrades help prevent unexpected shutdowns and can lower energy costs throughout the year.
When to Schedule a Professional Electrical Inspection
A December inspection can help confirm that your system can safely handle seasonal loads. Facility managers often schedule service:
- Before installing large holiday displays
- If breakers have tripped more than once
- When staff report flickering lights
- After adding new equipment or rearranging office spaces
An inspection doesn’t just identify overload risks—it can also highlight opportunities to improve efficiency and save money.
How Carolina Voltage Can Support Your Holiday Electrical Needs
Managing holiday lighting, space heaters, and seasonal equipment can be tricky—especially in older commercial buildings. Carolina Voltage can help assess your electrical system, identify high-load risks, and provide practical solutions to keep your business safe and running efficiently.
Schedule a service visit through our online form or call (704) 327-0659 today. Our team is ready to help you prevent costly disruptions and stay on top of holiday electrical demands.