There was a time not too long ago when gas and electricity costs weren’t really a topic of concern at all. Keeping in view expenses such as mortgage payments, insurance etc, energy bills faded in comparison. However, that is no longer the case today. Energy costs have become a major concern for property owners and the need of the hour is for energy – efficient solutions to be incorporated into the home.

And there is no dearth of these types of solutions. Ranging from LED bulbs, use of solar energy, smart lighting, optimum insulation, use of energy-efficient building materials, switching from standard ovens to convection ovens, people are trying everything in the book to coax their energy bills to drop a little bit. While all these measures are definitely helpful in bringing down energy consumption, there is one more thing consumers can do to keep a handle on their energy bills- use smart lighting schedules!

Energy providers in Australia charge consumers a variety of rates; this is based on the type of meter in the house and the manner in which energy is used in peak & off-peak periods. There is no standard rule here as different retailers maintain different energy rates. The one way to get a much reduced rate is to opt for a long-term energy contract. It’s important to shop around a bit as the difference in rates between providers can be significant.

Off peak times are those when businesses and homes typically use less electricity. The off peak time is dependent on your meter type and location; however, these are typically on weekends and/or at night. When consumers use electricity in busy peak times, it burdens the electricity networks in the country. It’s also why energy usage in the off-peak hours is charged at much lower rates. This is the way consumers are encouraged to use power outside busy hours.

There is another definition of off-peak rates. This can refer to the electricity used by a particular appliance on a dedicated circuit. For instance the electric hot water system in your house could be on a separate circuit and will be billed separately, on the off peak rates your service provider is offering. It’s possible to leverage this off-peak rate to reduce energy costs in your home. You can use interval metering or off-peak hot water to benefit from these lower rates at set times of the day and the weekends.

If you are considering using smart scheduling, it’s important that you contact your energy provider and find out if it’s something they accommodate and what you are required to do. For advice on smart metering and other electrical installation services, call Allround Electrical at 1300 169 263. You can also drop us a line via email.

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Geeks everywhere rejoice. July 13 is “Embrace Your Geekness Day,” a day that allows geeks to show off their knowledge of video games and technology.  The word “geek,” as defined by Merriam Webster, is “an enthusiast or expert in a technological field or activity.” To celebrate “Embrace Your Geekness Day,” Mr. Electric has five old technologies modern geeks should be thankful for.

Ever since being patented by Alexander Graham Bell as an “apparatus for transmitting vocal or other sounds telegraphically” in 1876, the telephone soared as a must-have technological household item. The invention of the telephone, along with computer technology, eventually led to the invention of the smart phone. Geeks everywhere can thank Bell for their latest app.

The original purpose of the modern computer was to carry out mathematical and logical operations automatically. The year 1939 brought about the first electric computer for routine use.  In 1973 computers with graphical interfaces, keyboards and a mouse were sold commercially. Research and development allowed for several other uses of computers. By the mid 1990s, home computers became commonplace, and a surge of web users began after 1994.

The first generation video game consoles appeared in the 1950s but could not be connected to home televisions. In 1972, Magnavox released the Magnavox Odyssey, the first home video game system. Future generations would bring about the Atari, Nintendo Entertainment System, PlayStation and Xbox, leading tech geeks to celebrate over saving Princess Peach and conquering Tetris.

Although originally sold in low numbers, televisions have been commercially available since the late 1920s. Black and white consoles were the norm until 1972, when color television sales overtook black and white console sales. Continued research and development over the years have seen an increase in screen sizes, flat technology and exponential increases in picture and sound quality.

The Internet is one of the most influential developments to help people get their geek on. Research commissioned by the Federal Government in the 1960s led to the present day Internet. The first message sent via the Internet was between UCLA and Stanford University in 1969. Evolving from there, the Internet would enter homes, schools and businesses by the mid 1990s. Mr. Electric encourages you to embrace your geekness on July 13 and give thanks to all of the tech geeks who came before you.

Minor power surges happen in milliseconds and can easily ruin many of today’s delicate electronics. Is your home protected with a whole house surge protector?

Today’s homes and families consume a great deal of power due to the abundance of electronic devices we use to function daily. As a result, damaging power surges are common today even when storms and downed lines are not a factor, with homes near the end of the power line being particularly vulnerable.

Install a whole house surge protector today. Contact Mr. Electric® and schedule the installation of one of these simple, effective devices for the protection of all of your home’s essential electronics.

It is time to get ready for another winter and there is no time like the present to get some of those little things done around the house that you have been putting off. During the spring and summer, most of your time and energy is focused on the outside of your home and the landscaping needs. Now, it is time to focus your attention on the inside of your home. An electrician in Glendale is here to help you take care of a few things that can make your home a little safer while adding a layer of protection for some of your expensive electronic equipment and appliances. At The Electric Connection, you will find a team of professionals who are capable of handling any job, big or small.

Surge Protectors

Whole home surge protectors are a worthy investment. In the event of a power outage or a power surge, the surge protector deflects the extra electricity away from your electronics. Sensitive electronic equipment like computers and smart televisions can be damaged when there is a surge or when the power goes out and then right back on. Your refrigerator will also suffer overtime and the expected life of the refrigerator will be dramatically reduced if it is constantly subjected to power fluctuations. The surge protector will need to be installed by an electrician familiar with Glendale electrical codes.

Hard-Wired Smoke Detectors

If you have a woodstove or plan on using a space heater this winter, it is a good idea to have hard-wired smoke detectors installed. These devices are wired directly to your home’s main source of power and do not rely on batteries. The detectors are inter-connected, adding precious minutes to a family’s escape from a house fire.

If you are ready to make a few improvements to your home, give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your surge protector and smoke detector installation.