5 Ways to Save Energy This Christmas

The festive season is well and truly upon us and there is no doubt that you have probably started decorating your home and business with festive lighting and decorations. Part of the Christmas season is known for showing off your hard work and thought processes when it comes to Christmas decor, and we want it to stay that way rather than restricting your use of lighting due to fear of a large bill come season end. We wanted to offer our tips and tricks to saving energy this Christmas, so you can spend more time with family and friends and less time stressing about your next electricity bill.

1. Switch to LED Lighting

If you are planning to get out old Christmas lights, the old style of Christmas lighting is very inefficient and will cost you money if you decide to continue to use them. Old lights are also a hazard to your home. We suggest investing in LED lighting for a more efficient lighting solution, LED lighting also gives a very bright light, meaning your decorations will be set to ‘wow’ your guests. 

2. Put your lights on a timer 

We expect this is a busy time for you and your family, forgetting to turn your indoor Christmas lighting off at night happens to all of us. If you opt for timed Christmas Tree lighting, you are taking one more task off your list of duties that will save you time, and money.

3. Choose battery-operated or solar lights where possible

Investing in rechargeable batteries and a charger to power your Christmas lights will be a huge energy saver. Battery operated lights are an affordable option and will save you money in the long run. When choosing your outdoor lighting, there is no excuse to not opt for solar garden lighting for the same effects. 

4. Use the BBQ whenever possible

If you’re looking for an excuse to have a BBQ Christmas lunch over an oven-cooked dinner, then consider this tip your excuse. Using the BBQ over the oven can help to reduce your energy costs and provide a great atmosphere when doing so. It’s a win/win.

5. Keep the air conditioning at 24° 

Given it is Summer in Australia, we can almost predict you will need to cool the room when entertaining these holidays. We recommend ways to save on energy over on our Instagram page this week, but to touch base on it here, it will save you money if you resist the temptation of turning your air conditioning lower than 24°. Remember this degree will save you money come season end. 

Christmas came around fast this year, if you missed the preparation window, we hope these top tips will save you money throughout the season. Remember small actions can save you money in the long run and let you enjoy the festivities over worrying about your energy usage.

For a last-minute maintenance quote before the holiday season, you can get in touch with Ehlerth Electrical via our contact page.

5 Ways to Safeguard Your Home for Storm Season

During storm season in Queensland, our Ehlerth Electrical team receive a staggering number of call-outs from clients who have unfortunately had their homes/appliances damaged due to storm season. While Mother Nature can be unpredictable and you can’t prepare for everything, these are our top ways to safeguard your home as best as possible and prevent damage to your home (and even office) during the brunt of storm season.

1.Home Maintenance

Number one! Keep up with general home maintenance to ensure everything is in working order. Ensure that your roof gutters, downpipes and drains are cleared; trees around your home are trimmed and remove any tree branches that are close to your house. If you are in an especially cyclone-prone area, you may consider installing shutters or metal screens to prevent window breakages. Along with this, if there’s a storm coming, make sure to secure any loose items around your property which could pose a threat.

2. Surge Protectors

Surge protectors are great as they help prevent damage from - you guessed it - sudden power surges. Although it seems obvious, you wouldn’t believe how often people don’t consider surge protectors until they have an appliance damaged in a storm. We recommend that all your devices and appliances in your home be plugged into surge protector to prevent a power surge or outage from damaging your expensive appliances - and to keep you safe. Additionally, we highly recommend looking into having surge protection installed on your switchboard by a professional to protect against possible surges to the main hub.

3. Unplug

Unplugging devices that are not in use during a storm will help prevent damage to them, as well as prolong their life and reduce energy usage. While surge protectors are great, they may not be able to withstand the voltage of a powerful storm. For this reason, your safest bet is to unplug any important devices / appliances when not in use, especially during a storm. Remember your outdoor appliances too and bring in any outdoor TVs which may be damaged, and try to avoid using your air-conditioning system during a storm.

4. Insurance

It may seem obvious, but it doesn’t hurt to ensure that your insurance cover for your home and/or business are up to date. Check what exactly what sort of events you are covered for. This might include flash floods, storm water run-off, damage to properties by trees, or lightning strikes. Important to note, your insurance likely will reject your claim if signs of negligence are shown - which is why #1 Home Maintenance is absolutely critical.

5. Home Safety Plan

Lastly, ensure you have a home safety plan incase of an emergency or power outage. This includes learning how to safely turn off your power, water and gas systems; keeping water containers, a portable stove, and fuel safely on-hand, and identifying the safest room to shelter in.

Contact Ehlerth Electrical on 1800 940 413 or send us an email to info@ehlerthelectrical.com.au to organise an electrical home safety assessment to prepare for storm season. 

Image: Adrian Olichon via Pexels

Why Is Regular Air-Conditioning System Maintenance So Important?

Why is regular air-conditioning maintenance so important?

People sometimes have a hard-time understanding why air-conditioning system maintenance is so important - these people have likely never suffered the consequences of their air-con breaking in the middle of Summer. 

In all seriousness, on top of problem prevention, there are a number of reasons why it’s absolutely crucial to keep your air-conditioning system in check. Usually what sparks someone to move consistent maintenance of their air-con system up on their priorities list, is when something goes wrong - but this can be timely and expensive, not what you want when it’s 40 degrees outside!

Air-conditioning servicing can seem tedious when there’s nothing seemingly wrong. That’s why we’ve outlined the top reasons why regular air-con maintenance is so important so you can save yourself time and energy in the long-run.

1. Life span

Extend the life of your current air-conditioning system by treating it like you would treat your car. To keep it in top running condition all year round, schedule regular maintenance checks with a professional. We recommend getting it serviced every six months to yearly so you know you’re kept cool/warm and breathing clean air through every season.

2. Air quality

Remember that the quality of the air you’re breathing in your home is the air directly filtered by your air-conditioning system. Avoid spreading germs through your home and putting your health at risk by regularly cleaning your filters. You can clean your filters yourself at home, but it’s highly recommended to get a professional to check them out so you know when it’s time to replace the filters all together - sometimes there’s only so much a DIY clean will do and it’s not worth risking the air you breathe.

3. Reduce energy consumption 

Replacing an old, clogged air filter with a fresh, new one can reduce your energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent. This means not only will you be breathing clearer, you’ll reduce your energy bill. Wins all around!

4. Save money

While it may feel unnecessary in the present moment, paying for a preventive service can save you big bucks in the long run. Getting an entire air-conditioning system replaced is often far more expensive than consistent servicing, whether you have a ducted or split system. If something goes wrong and you catch it ahead of time, you’ll save yourself a big bill and a headache  - and then regular servicing won’t seem so bad. 

Regular maintenance ensures you and your family are always breathing the cleanest air, your aircon is less likely to fully breakdown on you when you need it most, and you’ll save yourself money by reducing your energy consumption. Don’t let aircon maintenance be something you wish you’d done in hindsight after something goes wrong.

Reach out to Ehlerth Electrical for a free quote on Air-Conditioning Maintenance and Upgrades and our team of master electricians will get you sorted.

Get in touch via email to info@ehlerthelectrical.com.au or call 1800 940 413

Wireless vs. Wired networks for your home and business

When it comes to deciding whether wireless or wired networks are best for your home or business, there are a number of aspects to consider. Ultimately, it depends on the needs of your business / lifestyle and internet usage at home. We have outlined some of the pros and cons of wireless vs. wired networks to consider before making a decision on what network solution works best for you.

In comparison to wired networks, wireless local area networks (WLAN) are often favoured today for their unrivalled functionality in modern offices, such as with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies increasing, improved flexibility and the ability to work in different areas of the office and at home, and the overall organisation of your home / office thanks to the minimal cables.

The downside, however, to wireless LANs is that on a shared bandwidth all devices on the same network split the internet speed which can slow down the network speed, productivity in an office, and become an inconvenience at home if multiple users are all using bandwidth-intensive applications at once. Wireless is ideal for basic file sharing, general internet access, web browsing and emails, activities which don’t require a high bandwidth. but anything too intensive can slow down your network speed.

If your business is in an industry where yourself or your employees are often using bandwidth-intensive applications for activities, such as sharing large files between clients, video-calling, streaming online videos/music, or using online backup systems such as Dropbox or Google Drive, you might consider a wired network for your business. 

Although the cons of wired networks exist such as cable clutter and lack of mobility, wired networks have evolved greatly over the past few years which has dramatically improved their performance and network speeds. In addition to this, you have more control over which devices are connected to the network. This in turn can be better for avoiding security risks compared to wireless LANs, where your bandwidth and information are more vulnerable to hackers than wired networks, as well as preventing malware infected devices from inadvertently joining your network and jeopardising your company devices. 

Wired networks generally have a higher bandwidth speed compared to wireless LANs. While it’s possible to design a wireless network that caters to higher bandwidth requirements, the cost for doing so can be similar and as time-consuming as a wired network cable layout, without the added security benefits. 

Ultimately, no option is ‘better’ than the other - it’s all about your business’s needs, what works best for you, and your lifestyle (when considering home network). Some businesses consider ‘hybrid’ approaches with a primary wired network in the office for added security, higher-bandwidth speed, as well as a wireless network for lower security risk activities with visitors, client meetings/presentations, and BYOD policies. 

We recommend considering all aspects of your business and its needs / your home lifestyle and usage habits, and approaching a team of experienced electricians to work with you to achieve your goals whether you’re considering a new build or upgrading your current office.

Does your workplace have hazardous areas?

You may be aware that in environments where hazardous elements are present (such as concentrations of flammable gases, vapours, mists or combustible dusts), all electrical equipment must be installed by a qualified hazardous area electrician with appropriate training and competency. This is not just a contractor who holds a standard electrical licence. Maintaining proper electrical equipment and installing preventative measures in these areas where potential explosions could happen is vital to the safety of anyone who may be working in these environments. If you’re thinking this doesn’t apply to your business, and your mate down the road can do the electrical installations for your workplace, keep reading. 

When you think of a hazardous areas, you most likely think of chemical plants, oil refineries, paint manufacturers, sewage treatment plants, laboratory and fume cupboards, and similar. While yes, these are common ‘hazardous areas’, what you probably don’t realise is the number of other areas that can also be considered hazardous - even in your business’ work environment.

In electrical engineering, a hazardous area (also known as a potentially explosive atmosphere) is defined as “an environment that consists of any concentrations of flammable gases, vapours, mists or combustible dusts.” Yes, this typically means that those common areas listed above that spring to mind when we think of potentially explosive atmospheres are indeed hazardous, as harmful gases and vapours may be present, but also environments you may not consider such as food/beverage handling and manufacturing facilities, recycling operations, flour mills, grain handling and storage are potentially dangerous because of dust. 

While you may think dust wouldn’t be an issue, 80% of all industrial dusts are combustible, and even a dust layer of 1mm in a closed room is enough to cause an explosion when the dust is swirled up and ignited. Poorly installed electrical equipment is one of the leading igniters, causing combustible dust explosions. This is why it’s absolutely essential to have your workspace designed, and inspected by experts in the industry. You need your workplace electrical equipment assessed, installed and maintained by a team of certified hazardous area electricians.

Our team at Ehlerth Electrical is dedicated to ensuring we uphold the highest level of certified training and safety in hazardous areas for commercial electrical installations to keep our team safe during these projects, while we work to keep your team safe in their future workspace. 

We recommend to always work with a trusted, reliable team of electricians for work in hazardous areas. You don’t want someone who’s going to do a roundabout job and put the safety of your team and business at risk.

Photo: Crystal Kwok via Unsplash

Cut down longterm electrical costs on your new build

Delivering high quality results while keeping within a client’s budget can be difficult when trying to build their dream home with all future proof features. It’s important to be proactive and consider a number of features for practicality and convenience that should be installed during the new build to save money in the long run and lengthen the life and value of the home. 

Take solar panels for example, it’s better to have them planned for and installed during the new build, rather than 5 years down the track when the client is looking for ideas to cut down their electricity bill. Not only will the installation cost more later on, they would end up spending more altogether with their electricity build and installation costs combined. 

Let’s take a look at other electrical installations / domestic specialties you should consider planning for and customising to suit your client’s lifestyle and wants for their dream house. Getting these features installed by a qualified and reliable electrical team during the build will save money and time later on, future proof the home, and make delivering the sought after features of the new build to the client even easier. 

Solar Panels

Solar panels are a very sought-after feature in new builds, but clients are often hesitant towards deciding whether or not they should get the solar panels installed during the build or after a few years to save money. However, solar panels are a more cost-effective investment on a new build rather than waiting 5 years down the track for installation. This is because you can factor in the most optimum location for the panels on the roof and work the placement of the TV aerial or any other units around the panels, rather than the other way around if they were to be installed later on. 

Additionally, the cost the client saves on their electricity bill is more effective as it will start paying itself off a lot quicker than if it was installed later on. Not to mention, if the build is a multi-storey house, you can get the solar panels installed during the build, and avoid paying for scaffolding twice. 

Smart Home Technology / Home Automation

Smart home tech gadgets like Google Homes and Amazon Echos have been rising in popularity over recent years, combined with smart light bulbs and the likes being easily accessible and simple to set up (Hey Google, turn off the lights), but there is actually even more out there in the world of home automation systems that can be incorporated into a new build to suit the client’s lifestyle and desired features. 

Core elements of home automation include: lighting, heating and security for the home. There are so many features to explore that can add value to a new property, as well as add convenience to the homeowner’s life. While designing a smart home can be a bigger investment to make upfront, it’s worth it as it would replace some costs spent on conventional fixtures and wiring, as well as reducing the electricity bill later on (You can’t forget to turn the lights off when you leave the room if the lights turn themselves off.) 

Integrated home automation features from smart window blinds, to smart heating, home security systems, and entertainment systems are much more cost-effective and streamlined to be integrated into a new build during the design/planning stage as opposed to later on as all considerations for switchboards and control panels can be futureproofed and adapted (Think: Electric car charging ports. It might seem far off now but these are features to consider for the future when anticipating how much power a switchboard can handle.)

Lighting Considerations

Lighting options are one of the most important factors to consider when designing a new build. From the colours and types of bulbs, to outlet placements, to tailored lifestyle considerations, great lighting can truly transform a home and take it to the next level.

• Lighting options

The average household dedicates 5% of its energy budget to lighting, so it’s important to consider which lighting option is most suitable for which rooms and lifestyles. Some of the most popular light bulbs available are halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Although these options can cost more than traditional incandescent bulbs to begin with, they are much more energy efficient and will save more money and time spent replacing bulbs in the long run.

• Lifestyle considerations

Plan for convenience by ensuring you have outlets anywhere the client plans to have holiday decorations / Christmas lights. Good spots include on the mantelpiece, recessed into bookcases, and in-ground outlets near the tree for easy access. Consider having all of these outlets on the same circuit so they can be switched on and off at once.

• Lightswitch / Outlet placement 

There are a number of important aspects to consider for outlet placement during the design stage. For example, adding exterior light switches outside of any dark storage areas to avoid having to stumble around in the dark to find the lightswitch; or ensuring there are enough outlets in the bathroom if the client plans to use a lot of hair styling tools - and even considering having USB outlets too if they often charge their phone at the same time. These are personal touches that can be tailored to each new build.

Air Conditioning

When planning a new build, you will most importantly consider the thermal efficiency of the home including heating, ventilation, cooling and airflow, amongst other considerations such as orientation of the floor plan, quality insulation, roof colours, window eaves and awnings to keep the house cool during the hot Summer season and keep the heat in during the colder months. 

The best and most economically efficient solution to consider is ducted air conditioning which is most easily installed during a new build. Especially with multi-storey houses, ducted air conditioning usually cannot be installed later on unless planned for during the build as space must be allowed. There are many options to consider, from traditional to contemporary which can be seamlessly integrated into the new build plan.

 Air conditioning can also be combined with smart home automations to ensure eco-functionality. It can ensure that it isn’t running throughout the day when no one is home, but can be switched on when you leave work for example, so that the house is all cool waiting for you when you get home during the Australian Summer.

When coupled with high quality building materials, proper insulation, and a well thought out home design, the costs for investing in a ducted system can be significantly less, along with providing greater property value, increasing lifestyle convenience and reducing future energy bills!

[Photo: Hutomo Abrianto via Unsplash]

Reasons to Upgrade Your Home and Office to LED Lighting

Most of our clients, whether business or homeowners, have heard of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting, know a little about it but haven’t taken the step to upgrading their spaces. Usually, it’s because they haven’t realised the incredible benefits gained by taking the step - from financial and environmental to pure convenience.

They’re designed for maximum efficiency and longevity, provide brilliant light and reduce your carbon footprint… and that’s just the beginning. We’ve put together a list of reasons you should upgrade your home or business to LED lighting...

Reduce your energy use by 85%

Halogen lights are hot (up to 300+ degrees celsius hot!), while LED downlights run on <80 degrees Celsius. You could be spending up to 95% of your lighting costs on heating a bulb and only 5% lighting it. If this isn’t reason enough, just keep on reading…

Longer lifespan

LED lights last up to 10 years and require no maintenance. What more do we need to say?! More time between changing light bulbs? No complaints here!

Save $$$

With electricity costs on the rise, LED’s reduce the amount of electricity you are using, therefore you protect yourself from spending more! According to www.energyrating.gov.au, the average household can save $102 by simply replacing 18 halogens with LEDs per year.

No toxic materials

General light bulbs contain pollutant ingredients and are definitely not enviro-friendly. LED’s contain no toxic materials and are 100% recyclable.

They’re durable AND look great!

LED’s are known for their sturdiness and durability, but you can also get creative with their flexibility to be combined into different configurations and shapes to produce whatever lighting effect you want! They offer a high level of control when it comes to colour and distribution, as well as being durable for both indoor and outdoor installation.

Once understanding the benefits of upgrading to LED lighting, the decision becomes pretty simple! You’ll be saving money, helping the environment and reducing your electricity costs - and a qualified electrician can facilitate the upgrade so that everything is up and running before you know it.

Thinking about upgrading?

Get in touch with Ehlerth Electrical via 1800 940 413 or www.ehlerthelectrical.com.au to find out more information - we’re available Brisbane and Gold Coast wide!

[source: energyrating.gov.au]
[photo via www.industralight.com.au]

Avoiding Electrical Hazards this Winter

Despite Queensland’s Winter not being any kind of snowy wonderland, the start of any season is a great time to do a general safety check around the home. It’s a quick process and ensures you and your family are kept safe as the months cool down this 2019.

Data from all Australian Fire Services show that the increased risk of house fires during Winter is often due to higher usage of electrical appliances. Simple steps such as checking for exposed wiring, frayed cords and loose connections on electrical appliances will help keep things safe (and warm!).

We’ve put together some of our top essential tips for keeping your house safe from electrical hazards this Winter…

Electric Heaters - safety first...

Heaters are one of the greatest users of electricity during Winter. It may seem obvious, but it’s worth reviewing and ensuring these safety practices are in place before the cold season hits:

• Supervise kids and pets around heaters. Make sure the heater isn’t left anywhere it could be knocked over by your cat or toddler and that it’s on a stable, flat ground.

• Check for any power cords or plugs damaged as well as dust build-up especially around filters. If your heater has been in storage during the warmer months, doing a thorough check of the condition is essential.

• Ensure a 1 metre distance to wet clothing, curtains or any other potentially flammable materials.

• Leaving the room? Turn the heater off! Make this your #1 Winter rule!

Electric blankets - remember the basics!

As snug as they are, electric blankets can be a huge electrical hazard during Winter time. A few things to always check when using a heated blanket include:

• If you haven’t used your blanket since last year or earlier, double check the Australian Recalls Site to check it’s still good to use. ACCC stated an estimated 400,000 blankets have been deemed unsafe since 2010. Don’t risk it!

• Checking for any hot spots when the blanket is warming up. Hot spots can indicate damage to the heating element and if so, should not be used.

• When storing your blanket, ensure it is completely cooled down first and roll the blanket instead of folding - this ensures no damage to the heating elements inside.

• Turn the blanket off at the powerpoint before getting into bed. Safety first!

Check your smoke alarms!

The most simple tip of them all, but one we often see left ’til last! Making sure your smoke alarm battery is up to date by pushing the button each week can be a literal life saver. Also, make sure alarms are clean and free from any dust or cobwebs as this can affect the durability and effectiveness. Did you know your smoke alarm should be changed every 10 years? How long have you had yours?

Extra tips to remember:

• Use a portable outdoor gas heater? Outdoor heaters need regular safety checks and should be serviced every 2 years. If your heater is showing any signs of radiant panels that burn yellow, produce soot or if you see any gas flames, have it inspected before using.

• Only use purpose-built heaters in bathrooms, wet areas and outdoors.

• Do a thorough check of any appliances that have been packaged away in storage for some time. If they’re looking aged or show signs of any damage, have a licensed electrician inspect before using.

• Test your safety switches!

We also recommend using the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services simple safety checklist - because being safe is worth the few minutes it takes! Check out the free checklist here.

Need electrical assistance or maintenance? We’re available throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast 24/7. Contact us here or call us on 1800 940 413.