The simple guide to setting up a smart home

Home automation makes it easy to remotely control and monitor your home's lighting, security, entertainment and climate control. It provides convenience, can save energy costs, and give you peace of mind by enhancing home security, just to name a few! However, setting this up can be overwhelming and expensive if you are unfamiliar with the home automation technology.

That is why we have created a simple guide to setting up a smart home to get you started!

1 Choose a smart home hub

To begin, determine which areas you want to automate or remotely control, such as lighting, security, heating/cooling, or entertainment systems. Then, choose a smart home hub as your central control point for all smart devices. Some popular ones include Amazon Echo Dot, Aeotec Smart Home Hub, Google Nest Hub, Apple HomePod, and Samsung SmartThings.

2 Get compatible smart devices

Assess your current smart devices to see if they're compatible with your chosen smart home hub. If not, research and purchase smart devices that will meet your needs and can connect with your smart hub. For example, these smart devices might include light bulbs, power outlets, power switches or dimmers, speakers, locks, doorbell, washer/dryer, fridge, oven, air conditioner, TV, washer/dryer, robot vacuum, security cameras, thermostats and pet tech.

3 Set up the hub and devices

Once you have your devices, set up your smart home hub by following the instructions. This usually involves connecting the hub to your home’s Wi-Fi network and creating an account. Then connect and configure your smart devices by referring to each device's user manuals. You can group your devices according to rooms or functions within the smart home hub's app to make controlling and managing them easier. And if your smart home hub supports voice assistants, Alexa or Siri, set it up so you can control your devices using voice commands through the compatible smart speakers or your smartphone.

4 Schedule automation

Customise your routines and schedules to take advantage of automation features provided by your smart home hub. This might be scheduling for house lights to turn on and off at a specific time, or setting your air conditioner to turn on before you get home etc.

5 Test and optimise the hub and devices

After setting up your smart home, test the functionality of each device and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. As you expand your smart home setup, always check compatibility and security considerations for any new devices you plan to add.

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Need assistance setting up your home automated system?

Ehlerth Electrical is a Brisbane-based team of award-winning Gold Master Electricians who provide the highest quality workmanship and service across various electrical fields. This includes communications services such as high-speed internet installation and repair, home and office automated systems, CCTV, security and access control systems. Please contact our team today if you need help setting up a smart home.

Electrical tips to keep your house safe this winter

Winter weather can bring about many electrical hazards in your home. Here are some electrical tips to keep your house safe this winter:

1 Don’t overload circuits

Avoid plugging too many devices into a single outlet or powerboard. Overloading circuits can lead to overheating and potentially cause a fire.

2 Check for safety switches

Safety switches can protect you and your family from electric shock by turning off the power in a fraction of a second if a leakage of current is detected. To see if a safety switch is installed at your home, look inside your switchboard for a ‘Test’ or ‘T’ button near the circuit breakers.

Even if your home has a safety switch, it only protects you for one circuit, such as power points. Consider having safety switches installed on all circuits in your home, including lights, air conditioning, oven, hot water and pool equipment circuits, even if they are on a separate tariff. Talk to a licensed electrician to have them installed.

3 Use extension leads safely

Avoid using extension leads as a permanent solution, especially for large electrical appliances. Ensure the lead you use is rated for the intended use (indoor or outdoor) and is in good condition without any frayed wires or visible damage. Do not run leads through open doors or windows, and fully unwind them before use to avoid overheating. We highly recommend installing more power points (by a licensed electrician) rather than using multiple double adaptors and power boards.

4 Use heaters with caution

Portable or plug-in heaters are a great way to keep warm during the winter, but they can be dangerous if not used properly. Inspect your heater if you have stored it during warmer months before re-using it. If the portable heater is damaged, have it inspected by a licensed electrician or replaced. If it is ok to use, remove dust before turning it on. Keep the heater away from flammable materials and never leave it unattended or switched on through the night when sleeping.

5 Be mindful when using electric blankets

When using electric blankets, make sure you never crease them and check for any kinks, broken heating wires or damage to the controller, supply cord or plug before use; never use sharp objects, like safety pins, to secure them in place; do not place heavy objects on beds when using an electric blanket.

6 Keep clothes dryer from overheating

Clothes dryers have caused fires after overheating, so ensure you keep the exhaust duct clear of obstacles to allow hot air to escape; clean the lint filter before each use; keep the immediate area well-ventilated during operation; and never overload the dryer.

7 Maintain your hot water system

In winter, we tend to use a lot more hot water, especially for hot showers or baths. To keep your tank running efficiently and prevent any problems from occurring, have your hot water system regularly serviced by a professional, such as a plumber or an electrician. They can also check that you have a tempering valve installed to ensure the water does not exceed 50 degrees Celsius when in use to minimise the risk of scalding.

Source: Electrical Safety Qld

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Ehlerth Electrical is a Brisbane-based team of award-winning Gold Master Electricians who provide the highest quality workmanship and service across various electrical fields. If you need any electrical repairs or installations in your home, please contact our team today.

Why safety switches should be fitted to all circuits

Safety switches can save lives and protect your family against electric shock in your home. In Queensland, safety switches are mandatory on power circuits in homes that are being sold and domestic rental properties, but the risk still exists on other circuits. Homeowners should consider installing safety switches on all circuits to maximise their protection, such as the sub-circuits for lights, pool equipment, air conditioning, stove and hot water.

What is a safety switch?

A safety switch will turn off the power in a fraction of a second if a leakage of current to earth is detected. So it helps to prevent electric shock and possible electric burns by stopping the current flowing through a person. This situation can occur from a faulty power point or electrical appliance or if you accidentally hit a live wire. So it is essential to use electrical appliances, electrical wiring and extension leads in good working order. And if they are faulty, have them replaced or repaired by a licensed electrician or authorised service professional.

What does a safety switch look like?

Safety switches have a 'T' or 'test' button on the front. They can sometimes be confused with other devices on the switchboard, such as circuit breakers, which do not have a test function. Circuit-breakers effectively protect equipment and cable by quickly cutting power when there is a high current fault or overload that may cause a hazard. However, safety switches protect people by shutting off the electricity supply when it detects a leakage to earth.

How to test your safety switch

It is recommended to do push button testing every three months to ensure your safety switch continues to work correctly and is unobstructed by dirt or other matter.

You can easily test the safety switches by using the 'test' button and following these steps:

1. Push the button marked 'T' or 'test'. It works correctly if the safety switch flicks off and cuts the power to the intended circuits.

2. Check to see which lights or appliances have been turned off. The circuits turned off by the safety switch test mean they are protected by it. If it doesn't turn off the power, contact your licensed electrician to check it immediately.

3. After testing, turn the safety switch back on. For circuits with a refrigerator or air conditioner, wait two to three minutes before resetting to avoid possible appliance damage.

Source: Electrical Safety Qld

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Ehlerth Electrical is a Brisbane-based team of award-winning Gold Master Electricians who provide the highest quality workmanship and service across various electrical fields. If you need assistance with your switchboard or to install additional safety switches, please contact our team today.

Reducing the monthly energy bill by 105% with solar: Case Study

As accredited solar installers and designers, we get a lot of questions about how much solar can save you on energy bills. Suppose you spend hundreds of dollars on electricity bills per quarter for your home and mostly use power during the day. In that case, solar is worth the upfront investment, as it will pay for itself over time (the expected return on investment timeframe is usually between 3-5 years).

How much you can save will depend on several factors, with the size of your solar system and your energy consumption levels being the key.

As part of the quote process, our solar team will evaluate your energy consumption through your most recent energy bills and assess your roof in person before providing you with a detailed proposal. This includes things such as expected savings on your electricity bill over 20 years and a monthly electricity bill comparison.

To give you an example, we are sharing a case study of our recent solar installation and the client’s projected savings as outlined in their solar proposal.

Case Study: 10.53kW Solar System Installation

About the property

• Type of property: Residential home with swimming pool

• Location: North Brisbane

• Date of installation: November 2022

• Average bill per quarter: $500

• Average consumption: 2,300 kWh per quarter or 26 kWh per day

System Size

• System size: 10.53 kW 

• Estimated annual production: 17,463 kWh 

• Solar panel: 27 × 390W Hyundai Green Energy UF Series 

• Inverter: 1 × Sungrow SG8K-D, 8000W 

• Daily electricity production: Averaging 30-61 kWh daily, depending on the month. E.g. 30 kWh per day in June, 61 kWh per day in January and December.

Installation costs

• $13,505 incl. GST (includes solar system, network pre-approval, installation and labour)

• Government rebate: $4,550 (130 STCs x $35)

• Total cost to client: $8,955 inc. GST

Electricity costs

• Average monthly bill

  • Before solar: $177.11

  • With solar: $8.20 CR ↓105% (first year average) 

• Average annual bill

• Before solar: $2,125.34

• With solar: $98.46 CR ↓105% (estimated annual savings $2,094.69) 

Financial Analysis

The expected electricity bill savings over 20 years are provided below based on the system size.

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As certified Master Electricians and accredited solar specialists and designers, Ehlerth Electrical is trusted to provide expert service in solar repairs, replacements and installations. If you are interested in installing solar for your property, please contact our team today!

5 steps to installing a solar system on your property

With an increasing focus on renewable energy, rising energy prices and falling solar panel costs, it’s never been a better time to get solar installed. If you’re not sure how to get started, the solar installation process might be easier than you think! As accredited solar installers and designers, we’ve detailed the process that we take our customers through in the following 5 steps: 

1 Determine suitability

There are two ways to determine whether your property is suitable for solar. Firstly, look at your energy usage and when you use the most electricity. If you are mostly using power during the day and are currently spending hundreds of dollars on electricity bills per quarter, solar is worth the upfront investment, as it will pay for itself over time (the expected return on investment timeframe is usually between 3-5 years). Secondly, the roof of your property needs to be examined to determine whether it is appropriate to hold solar panels - things like orientation, slope or angle, and type of roof will impact whether solar is an option. If you’re unsure about any of the above, your solar installer can determine this as part of their quote process.

2 Get a quote from an accredited solar installer

The Federal Government has a solar rebate on offer called the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, but to access this rebate, you must go through an installer with a Clean Energy Council Accreditation. This accreditation recognises individuals who have undertaken the necessary training to design and install solar, batteries and other renewable energy systems that are safe, reliable and meet customer expectations.

For Ehlerth Electrical customers, all of the required Government rebate paperwork and forms are completed by our solar team, and the rebates are accounted for in the initial quote. 

As part of the quote process, our solar team will assess your energy consumption through your most recent energy bills and assess your roof in person to ensure the solar installation is suitable for your property and that it is tailored specifically for your needs.

The solar proposal will be sent to you, which includes the costs for the solar system and inverter, network pre-approval, installation and labour, and the rebate. It also outlines the proposed panel layout on your roof, solar system details, daily production per month, expected savings on your electricity bill over a 20-year period, monthly electricity bill comparison, environmental benefits and warranty details.  

3 Sign the proposal/contract and apply for a connection

The proposal mentioned above that we send to our customers is also the contract with terms and conditions that you sign to install your solar. As part of the process, our solar team will also submit the application form to your network provider to get your system connected to the grid. 

If your current meter does not support solar, we will instruct your network provider to replace it with a new bi-directional one. Some network providers will do this free of charge. This meter will be compatible with your solar panels and allow the excess electricity you generate to go back into the electrical grid, as well as use your own generation within your home. You will not receive benefits until this meter exchange has been completed. 

4 Install your solar system and connect it to the grid

Once the proposal/contract is signed, the solar installer will book a suitable date to do the installation. Depending on the size of the system, most installations can be completed in a day. Once your solar is installed, and compliant metering is in place, check for the ‘Queensland Solar Scheme’ details on your electricity bill.

5 Maintain your system 

Your solar installer should provide you with a maintenance schedule or user manual to take care of your solar system. Our solar team provides a detailed user manual document that includes contact information, precautions and warnings, emergency procedures, system description, system performance, connection diagram, maintenance information, commissioning report and warranty documentation. 

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As certified Master Electricians and accredited solar specialists and designers, Ehlerth Electrical is trusted to provide expert service in solar repairs, replacements and installations. If you are interested in installing solar for your property, please reach out to our team today! 

What to do if your property has had electrical damage

With above-average rainfall predicted for spring and summer thanks to La Niña, storms and floods could affect our homes no matter how prepared we are.

We share tips on what to do after your home has had electrical damage due to severe weather.

Connection damage

Your property or connecting line may have been damaged during a storm or flood. In this case, you will need a licensed electrician to undertake verification tests on your switchboard, wiring, equipment, and appliances to ensure the electrical circuits are still working and that your home is electrically safe before reconnection. Once the work is done, they can issue you a ‘certificate of test’, which can help you reconnect your service with the local electricity distribution entity.

Damaged electrical equipment and appliances

Do not touch or use any electrical equipment, including items plugged into power, that have been damaged by water or submerged in flood water as they pose a high risk of electrocution. Stay away and don’t touch switchboards if they are damaged by water, fire or if lightning is close.

They must be checked and tested by a licensed electrical contractor before being used again. Only some appliances can be reused after a flood, while others will need to be replaced.

Fallen power lines

Report any fallen, low or damaged powerlines to the emergency services or your local electricity distribution entity and stay away from them; treat them all as live. Be mindful when cleaning up fallen branches and debris around the property, as they could be hiding fallen or submerged powerlines.

Power surges

Power surges sometimes occur during wild weather due to lightning strikes or when the power is restored after an outage or blackout. As a result, the appliances and electrical systems in the home can receive a large power surge and fail to work. Surge protectors or surge suppressors can protect your sensitive appliances from voltage spikes. We recommend getting a high-quality surge protector and replacing it every two years.

Damaged solar system

In case of wild weather or an emergency, you might need to shut down your solar system - follow the shutdown procedures on the inverter or the main switchboard. Don’t turn off the system if any of its components are wet or damaged or if internal wires are exposed. If your system has been damaged, contact a licensed electrical contractor or installer for advice before turning it on. Solar PV systems will continue producing electricity when exposed to light even if the network supply is turned off or the system has been shut down. Don’t touch them or any conductive material that exposed parts of the system are touching, as they may also be live.

Electrical insurance claim reports

Your home and contents insurance policy may cover your property or appliances' electrical-related damage due to unforeseen external events and severe weather. The success of electrical insurance claims depends on your insurance cover and the cause of the electrical damage. Insurance companies require a licensed electrician to provide an electrical insurance damage report outlining the cause and extent of the damage and a pricing estimate of materials and work that needs to be undertaken to repair the damage.

Source: https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/ 

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Contact our team if you believe your home has had electrical damage - never attempt to do your own electrical work - it's illegal and dangerous. In case of emergencies, we are contactable and able to assist 24/7 to keep you and your home electrically safe and reconnected again. We can also help with electrical insurance claim reports and carry out any electrical repair work associated with insurance claims.

8 Skills That Make a Great Electrician

Whether you are hiring an electrician or deciding on a career in the electrical trade, it is important to understand the essential skills they require to get the best outcome.

They involve a combination of hard skills like technical ability and knowledge gained through on-the-job training, education and certifications, and soft skills such as communication, problem-solving and people skills acquired through work or life experience.

As a guide, we have listed some of the skills that we believe make a great electrician.

1. Technical ability

Electricians must undertake the technical requirements of an electrical project, which require strong math, physics, and technical problem-solving abilities. These are hard skills related to electrical installations, repairs and maintenance tasks, usually gained through electrical training and apprenticeships. 

2. Regulatory understanding

Being a licensed trade, electricians must know relevant standards for performing electrical work, such as the National Electric Code and local electric codes, to conduct tasks safely and effectively. 

3. Health and safety knowledge 

The electrical trade is exposed to health and safety risks daily. So electricians must know relevant health and safety regulations, standards and procedures to complete their job safely and correctly. And they need to keep up to date with these obligations to protect themselves, their colleagues, customers and the community.

4. Basic math 

Math knowledge is essential to electrical work and daily tasks such as taking measurements and calculating power or current ratings. Qualified electricians can efficiently perform functions with basic algebra learned at school.

5. Ability to work in a team and independently

Electricians may conduct some work independently or in a team, depending on the size of the job and project. The ability to collaborate with colleagues or other trades, follow and provide instructions, make recommendations, and effective communication are essential to get the job done safely and effectively.

6. Problem-solving

A significant part of the electrician’s job involves responding to electrical issues, diagnosing them and providing solutions. Problem-solving skills are critical to assessing various situations and using technical knowledge and critical thinking to determine solutions.

7. Clear communication

Verbal and written communication skills are just as necessary as technical skills, as electricians are responsible for effectively communicating with people who often have no technical knowledge of electrical systems. This involves listening to customers or suppliers to understand their needs and conveying information in a way they will understand. 

8. Good people skills

Electricians deal with various people daily, from colleagues to customers to subcontractors and suppliers, so good interpersonal skills are vital to the role. Having patience, friendliness and empathy all contribute to great customer service.

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Contact our team today if you would like to work with a reliable and trusted electrician or are interested in becoming part of a team!

Ehlerth Electrical Wins Two Awards at the MEA’s 2022 Excellence Awards

Ehlerth Electrical won two of the 8 nominations at the Master Electricians Australia Excellence Awards on Saturday 6 August, in Brisbane.

The awards were presented for the South Queensland region, where Ehlerth Electrical took out the Master Electrician of the Year Award, and Daniel Canisi won the Electrician (Tradie) of the Year.

“I am proud of my team for being finalists across 6 different categories and winning the two significant awards in our region. It is a testament to the hard work, safety, quality and excellent service we deliver daily,” said Brent Ehlerth, Director and Founder of Ehlerth Electrical.

“It has been our goal to win the Master Electrician of the Year award since becoming the Gold level Master Electrician and getting our ISO certification, so finally winning it in our 5th year of business is such an incredible achievement.

“We continually strive to provide the highest quality workmanship and service, and invest in our team and their learning and development, so it is a tremendous honour to be recognised for it and be celebrated amongst the country's top sparkies and electrical businesses.”

Daniel Canisi, Ehlerth Electrical’s Senior Electrician and Safety Officer, won the Electrician (Tradie) of the Year Award for his outstanding technical skills and commitment to ongoing learning and safety.

The Ehlerth Electrical team had a total of eight finalists across 6 different categories in the South Queensland awards:

1. Master Electrician (Business) of the Year FINALIST and WINNER: Ehlerth Electrical

2. The Electrician (Tradie) of the Year FINALIST and WINNER: Daniel Canisi

3. Women in Contracting Award FINALIST: Rachel Hayes-Weymouth

4. The Apprentice of the Year FINALIST: Josh Anthony

5. The Apprentice of the Year FINALIST: Tom Tornabene

6. The Electrician (Tradie of the Year) Finalist: Jack Raverty

7. Residential Project of the Year FINALIST: Golden Beach

8. Commercial Project of the Year FINALIST: Rivermount College

Ehlerth Electrical office is located at 35/16 Crockford Street, Northgate. Office hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm but they also offer 24/7 service for emergency call-outs.

Contact the team today if you need electrical assistance in any of the following fields domestic, commercial, industrial, solar, air-conditioning, communications, hazardous areas or solar.