Electricity has become such an important part of our lives that we often find it impossible to be without power for even a few hours. Electricity supply in Australia is relatively stable, with power outages very infrequent in most areas.
It is, however, still important to remember the dangers of improper use of electricity and to maintain adequate safety precautions in our homes.
Using licensed electricians
By law, all home electrical work must be done by a licensed residential electrician. A licensed electrician is one who is registered with the state and carries all required insurance as mandated by law.
Choosing a licensed tradesperson ensures that your electrical work is being performed by people who are suitably trained, qualified and experienced for the job. For those on Sydney’s North Shore and Northern Beaches, our team at Everest Electrical checks all of those boxes.
Services provided by residential electricians
There are many situations where you might need a licensed electrician – from fault fixing to installing new lighting or ceiling fans. Here are a few services that require an electrician:
- Isolating and rectifying faults: A flickering light bulb, a power point that does not work, a device that causes the safety switch to trip – the reasons may be different but the root cause is an electrical fault.
An electrician will isolate the fault and take steps to rectify it, thereby preventing the potential for dangerous electrical shocks.
- Safety inspections: Electrical shocks mostly happen at home, and not at the workplace as is widely believed – and many of them are due to old or damaged wiring. If your house is old, or you suspect that your wring might be faulty, it is best to have a thorough safety inspection conducted to prevent injuries and protect your family.
An inspection is also essential when purchasing a house, or even when renting a house that appears to have very old wiring.
Safety is not the only thing at stake. The high electricity bills due to old, inefficient wiring practices and appliances are also a concern for home owners. A licensed electrician can do an energy efficiency audit, help in identifying areas where energy is wasted and find solutions for the problem of high energy bills.
- Smoke alarms and safety switches: Mandatory protective devices like smoke alarms, circuit breakers and safety switches offer protection to both appliances and human beings. Installation, maintenance and repair of these devices are done by electricians.
- Upgrading wiring, lighting or switchboards: If you want to install or relocate a switchboard, put in modern lighting fixtures, do some rewiring or install dimmer switches, your electrician is the person to call.
Older houses, notably the Federation and Art Deco ones found on Sydney’s North Shore, were often designed to have only one or two power outlets per room and usually have just one large halogen globe in the centre of the room. The needs of the modern Aussie family, with tech gadgets and appliances everywhere, are different.
Switching your lighting system from inefficient halogen lights to long-lasting LED down lights is a popular upgrade, not just for the modern style, but also for the energy savings. Wall mounting large LED or plasma TVs is also an increasing trend as part of building a home theatre, or even for child proofing.
- Outdoor lighting: Residential electricians also provide outdoor lighting services including pool lighting and garden lighting. They can also often do the design, layout and installation of these outdoor lights and create a beautiful outdoor nook to enjoy the evening hours.
- Ceiling fans and underground ventilation: Ceiling fans, when used efficiently along with air conditioners, can lower your electricity bills in the summer. Use the air conditioner to cool down the room, and then turn it to a lower setting and run the ceiling fan to keep the air circulating throughout the night.
Underfloor and crawl space ventilation is also important to prevent growth of mould and mildew which could cause respiratory problems. Installing ceiling fans and underfloor fans are both services offered by electricians.
- Maintenance and repair of electrical appliances: Electricians also provide maintenance and repair services which are useful when it comes to larger appliances like a fridge with a faulty thermostat, an electrical oven with a blown coil or a washing machine that does not start. They can also offer advice on types and sizes of appliances that are suitable for your household.
- New construction works: Whether you are building a new home, or planning an extension to your existing house, proper wiring that adheres to standards while providing adequate lighting is required.
It is not so easy to add an extra power point or a light fixture once all the work is done, so a good electrician has to take into consideration the plan of the house and the tastes of the occupants.
The Everest Electrical residential electricians are experienced in all domestic electrical work – and we take pride in using the best quality equipment and materials for all our work.
Call us on 0410 229 139 for all domestic electrical works in Sydney’s North Shore and Northern Beaches.