Smoke detectors are very crucial pieces of safety equipment in your home and it is now also mandatory in NSW that residential properties have at least one smoke alarm on every storey. Not many people are aware of this, but a large percentage of fires in homes cause massive destruction because the smoke detectors didn’t function the way they should have.

The unfortunate fact is that we almost always take these fixtures for granted; we get them installed and rarely even notice they are there on the ceiling until they get set off accidently or when their batteries go dead. Improperly installed smoke detectors or even poorly-maintained ones will only end up letting you down exactly when you need them.

It’s important that you make smoke detector maintenance a part and parcel of your regular home maintenance routine. There two main types of smoke alarms used on residential properties:

These have minuscule quantities of radioactive material that reacts to the particles that are emitted when a fire breaks out, and that sets-off the alarm. These alarms are extremely effective in the detection of fast-flaming fires in which there isn’t too much of visible smoke.

These have photocells with a light beam that shines away from the cell. If smoke enters its test chamber, the smoke particles scatter some of the light; this hits the cell and triggers the alarm. These types of smoke detectors are ideal for detecting smouldering/smoky fires, which is how residential fires typically are.

Regardless of the types of alarms installed on your property, it doesn’t take more than a few minutes annually to ensure that these devices are in a working order at all times. The few steps you should take are:

Aside from the regular maintenance, it’s also very important that you consider how many smoke detectors you have and how they are powered. The best way to increase the effectiveness and safety of these devices is to upgrade your home’s smoke detection setup. The things to focus on are:

We can install and maintain smoke detectors on your residential or commercial premises. For more information, contact the Allround Electricals team at this number – 1300 169 263. Alternatively, you can also write to us at this email address.

Thanks for reading,1300 169 263

Skip all the site hopping and countless hours in department stores; finding the perfect gift doesn’t have to be a hassle. We’ve put together a list of the best LED Christmas gifts for mom, dad, brother, sister, and any friend or family member. From custom-printed LED panel lights to rechargeable LED flashlights—we’ve got a great mix of LED lighting products that are sure to be a hit.

This LED strip light kit is great for cabinet lighting, under-cabinet lighting, cove lighting, bookshelf lighting, and any other hard-to-light space. The weatherproof kit comes with everything needed for installation: a 16 1/2″ plug-and-play LED light strip, push-button dimmer, remote, UL-Listed 12V power supply, and connection accessories. Designed to last 30,000 hours, the LED light strip is available in cool white, natural white, or warm white colors.

Perfect for students or late-night workaholics, this long-lasting LED desk lamp offers a lot in the way of customization. Four dimming levels (up to 170 lumens) are available at the tap of its touch-activated button, and the sleek LED lamp is fully adjustable for the perfect amount of light right where it’s needed.

This REDLINE® RC™ Rechargeable LED Flashlight is a gift that keeps on giving. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the compact flashlight emits up to nine hours of powerful illumination, and its MagDock magnetic docking station provides a full charge in just two hours. Four different light intensities are available along with a strobe mode and 4x adjustable zoom. This durable little light is water and impact resistant with a non-slip grip, magnetic base, and an attached lanyard.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 866-590-3533. Our customer service and technical support teams are available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Friday.

There are different things that you may do in order to see to it that you will be making the most efficient and the best possible use of the energy that you channel into your home. There are different options that you may tap in order to determine whether you have to make certain adjustments in your home’s energy system, one of them being Princeton energy efficiency audits. If you own a house and if you still have not had this process performed in your home, then it is highly advised that you do so in order to save.

Home energy audits allow you to carefully and efficiently pinpoint the energy needs that the different pieces of equipment in your home mount up to. Going through this process will give you an idea of how much energy you really need in order to keep your household running smoothly.

By having a professional audit done, you will not only allow you to see to it that you will have ample supply of energy for the different parts of your house, but will also keep you from overshooting your expectations and supplies. Without having to say it, you will be able to efficiently channel enough energy into the different parts of your home and ensure that you will not be using up more than necessary.

There are different standardized tests that are employed in order to determine the amount of power and energy that you need to have your home equipment run effectively and efficiently. More than measuring the needs of your whole house, you may even have other tests employed for individual rooms and areas, allowing you to map out and determine the energy needs and consumption that you may expect from the different areas of your house.

When you get the time and want to save on your monthly energy bills, it will be best for you to have Princeton energy efficiency audits done. tests employed to ensure that you ware able to make the most efficient use of your home energy.

Needless to say, home energy audits are always performed by professionals. Unless you have some type of background in the electrical/ energy field, it will be impossible for you to even know how to employ the necessary tests.

Don’t worry about finding the time to test the energy using devices in your home. Drop your local electrician a line and he will most likely be willing to perform this job for your home. Princeton energy efficiency audits can save you time and money when done right.

Even though the summer brings high temperatures, don’t let it bring high electric bills with it as well. Did you know that you could find huge savings on your electric bill in your attic? With functioning attic ventilators, savings can be yours. Let the experts at Mr. Electric® help you understand what method will be of greatest benefit to you.

Brad Richards with Mr. Electric of Tucson offers his expert opinion on attic ventilators and will explain how to save money on your electric bill in the summertime.

Mr. Electric: What exactly does an attic ventilator do?

Brad Richards: An attic ventilator fan is essential in the summer because it evacuates the hot air that accumulates during the day from the attic and draws air in from the outside. Think of it as a means of cycling the trapped air out with fresh air from the outside. It ensures that the temperature of the air in the attic is closer to the air temperature outside. With stagnant air, the sunlight on the roof heats the air inside the attic greatly. It is best to evacuate that hot air in the summertime so that you can save money on your cooling. If you’re air conditioning unit (A/C) is running and you don’t have a functioning attic ventilator, your attic is acting like a radiant heater while you’re A/C is trying to cool the room at the same time. Essentially, they are working against each other and costing you more money.

Mr. Electric: What are the different types of attic ventilators?

Brad Richards: There are two types. One of them is a roof-top unit that draws air directly out through the roof and pushes outside air into the attic to regulate the temperature. The other type is a 120-watt gable fan system. This system consists of one fan that blows air into the attic and another fan that blows air outside, creating airflow that is constant to reduce the temperature in the attic. The gables are triangular in shape and are located on opposite ends from each other on the sides of the attic.

With both types of ventilation systems, there is a solar option. The system that we recommend most often is the roof-top solar fan. Hot air rises and the fan tends to pull the air up and out of the attic, while both gable openings are open for the fresh air to come in. This is the most efficient and best money saver because when the sun comes up, the solar cells power the fan and the fan speeds up the more the sun becomes more direct. Then, when the sun goes down, it naturally turns itself off because there’s no more direct sunlight on the attic.

Mr. Electric: What are the benefits of a homeowner installing an attic ventilator?

Brad Richards: The number-one benefit of having an attic ventilator in the summer is you are able to keep your home cooler for less money. Solar-powered fans offer an even higher return on investment because you aren’t paying for electricity to run the fan. Using natural sunlight to cool your attic is a great way for homeowners to save money in the process.

Mr. Electric: Do you have any additional tips or recommendations?

Brad Richards: Regardless of whether you choose roof-top vents, gable fans, or solar powered fans, any home in the summer would benefit from attic ventilation. In other words, if you have an attic, there is a benefit to having ventilation.

For more information about attic ventilators and how they can benefit you, your home and your wallet, check out this article from the experts at Mr. Electric. 

In the past, most utility lines were strung overhead; in this day and age public utilities have gone underground. Everything from telephone lines, to cable television lines, to gas and power lines, and even sewer lines are buried at varying depths. It is important to handle these lines with care. A knick or a cut to any of these lines can disrupt your residential utility service.

In Colorado, smart digging means calling 811 before you start any outdoor job to have your utility lines located and marked. Digging without calling can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm you and those around you and potentially result in fines and repair costs. Calling 811 before every digging job ensures your underground utility lines are marked for free, and helps prevent undesired consequences. *

Though electrical lines may look harmless, high-voltage lines used to conduct electricity from one place to another can be hazardous or even deadly if a person accidentally comes into contact with one. Failing to call before you dig means that a piece of excavating equipment or a hand tool like a shovel or spade could inadvertently sever an electrical transmission line. This means any type of digging, whether you are planting trees and shrubs, re-anchoring your mailbox, or even placing landscaping edging has a potential hazard.

Depending on the size of the line that is cut, the damage might result in power loss to the home where the damage occurred and to other nearby homes and businesses. In a worst-case scenario, the line damaged could be a major transmission line serving a large area that would completely lose power until service is restored. Workers and homeowners in the vicinity of a severed electrical line are also at risk of electrocution if they touch the line itself or are in contact with a piece of metal equipment that touches an exposed electrical line.

* Taken from Xcel Energy, co811.org