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Electrical

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How Does Electricity Actually Get To Your Home

How Does Electricity Actually Get To Your Home

By | Electrical

From pushing buttons to flicking a switch, electricity is always on tap. But have you ever considered how far electricity has to travel to get to your home? Often the power we use every day is created in generators hundreds of kilometres from our homes. Our energy system, often called the electrical grid, is a complex network of poles and wires that helps to keep our country powered.
How Does Electricity Actually Get To Your Home

From the power plant to your lights at home, let’s take a look at how electricity actually gets from the power station to your home.

 

Power Stations

All of the electricity that ends up in your home starts life in a power station, which is usually located next to or near an energy source such as a coal plant, hydroelectricity dam, natural gas station or solar and wind farms. In almost all cases the source of energy is used to spin an electrical generator, creating storable, transmittable energy. The power is then carried away through large overhead lines to substations, however, at this stage voltage is usually extremely high and can be over 25,000 volts.

Substation Transformer

The first stop for the newly generated power is the substation. Substations use transformers to alter the voltage of an electrical current, in this case, the voltage is raised to somewhere between 155,000 to 756,000 volts, which minimises power losses throughout the long journey. Australia’s lines are very efficient on a world standard, with an average loss of around 5%.

Transmission Networks

Transmission lines send the high voltage power over long distances, often hundreds of kilometres. Transmission networks can be either above or below ground. Above ground lines are easy to spot as they are made from heavy-duty steel pylons. Underground lines are buried beneath the earth and are heavily insulated to prevent currents from leaking into the ground where they can become a hazard.

Second Substation Transformer

After the energy has travelled hundreds of kilometres from a power station, it reaches a second substation transformer. However, unlike the first stop, this substation lowers the voltage to somewhere between 11,000 and 33,000 volts so that the electricity can be channelled into smaller power lines for domestic distribution purposes.

Distribution Power Lines

Distribution power lines take the lowered voltage energy and distribute it to each home. For most residential and commercial uses, there will be another transformer which decreases voltage to as low as 230 volts to make the power safe for home use.

Your Home

In the final stage the electricity will pass from the final transformer to your home through a meter, which measures your energy usage. It then travels through the wires in your house to switches and sockets, ready to be used as you please!

If you have any questions about the electrical grid or powering your home, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

With over 9 years of experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing fast and efficient service of the highest quality. If you have any questions regarding electricity in your house or are looking for a quote for electrical installations, repairs, or general maintenance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with HunterCON today.

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How is Electricity Created?

How is Electricity Created?

By | Electrical

Electricity is all around us, it lights our rooms, runs our technology and generally makes modern living a breeze. We’re so used to it that it almost feels as natural as the air we breathe, but it wasn’t always this way. Scientists only figured out how to harvest electrical energy in the 19th century, using natural metals such as copper, silver and gold to conduct currents. Over the last few hundred years the process of creating electricity has developed significantly, and each year energy sources are refined more and more.
How is Electricity Created?

Electricity is all around us, and we use it constantly throughout our days, yet it’s easy to take for granted. Let’s take a closer look at this precious resource and how it’s created.

So What is Electricity?

Before we delve too far into the source of electricity, it’s first important to be aware of what it actually is. Electricity is the stimulation of negatively charged electrons that surround an atom. When electrons are stimulated they move from atom to atom, creating electromagnetic energy. Metal materials have a loose hold on their outlying electrons, meaning the electron charge is easier to transfer, therefore they have better conductibility. On the other hand materials such as wood and glass have a strong hold on there electrons so they are less conductible.

How is Electricity Created?

The creation of electricity must be generated through other energy sources, such as coal, gas, hydropower, solar power and wind and the same principle of generation applies to all sources of energy. Power pushes a turbine which rotates a series of magnets within copper wire coils. This movement excites the electrons, creating charge and thereby generating electricity.

Types of Generation

Let’s take a bit of a closer look at some of the forms of energy that are used to generate electricity.

• Gas, coal and nuclear plants both work in a similar ways. Fuel is used to create heat, which boils water and creates steam which in turn pushes the turbine.
• Windmills operate differently, using the natural force of wind to push a turbine.
• Hydropower uses the power of waves to move turbines.
• Solar energy is different as it generates electrical power by converting solar radiation into electricity via semiconductors.

What Happens Next?

After energy is generated it needs to be transferred to the electrical grid. The newly generated electricity leaves generators and flows along large transmission lines. Substations increase volts for long distance travel, and on the other end secondary substations decrease voltage for different domestic, commercial and industrial purposes. By the time that you switch on a light bulb, the charge created in a generator has likely travelled hundreds of kilometres.

If you have any questions about how electricity is created or would like to know more about installation or maintenance of electrical items please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

With over 9 years of experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing air con and electrical services of the highest quality. Get in touch with us today.

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What to Know Before Installing an Electrical Fireplace

What to Know Before Installing an Electrical Fireplace

By | Electrical

There’s nothing more comforting than a fireplace in winter. But wood and gas fireplaces can be a lot of work, expensive and sometimes a lot of mess. Is it really worth it? Lucky there’s an alternative.
What to Know Before Installing an Electrical Fireplace

Electric fireplaces give you all the cozy feeling you could ever want from a fireplace, with none of the hassle or costs associated with the installation or maintenance of other alternatives. And the best part you won’t have to worry about chopping wood any longer.

 
Electric fireplaces are a trendy new alternative that a lot of people are coming to love. They provide the warm flickering glow that everybody loves but are a lot more convenient. An added bonus is that they are a lot safer in terms of fire risks. These units sometimes come ‘plug and play’ and can warm an area of up to 80 square metres, depending on the make and model.

Research

Different Types of Electrical Fireplace

It’s easy to see why many people are switching to electric fireplaces for their source of heating.
They come in a range of different styles to suit all different situations, whether it’s a new fitting, or you’re looking to replace a hole in the wall where your old fireplace use to be. Here are some of the choices available:

• Freestanding – these fireplaces are the most common type and are made to look like a built-in fireplace. They can substitute a mantle in a living room and display a crackling flame.

• Fireplace inserts – if you have an existing fireplace that you would like to modernise, these are a great option. These fireplaces are fully enclosed and can look legitimately like a pile of glowing logs. If you choose to install one, make sure that your chimney has been blocked

• Wall mounted – these units are similar to freestanding fireplaces. They attach to your wall and can heat anywhere in your home, however they can require a bit more setup, just like any wall mounted appliance.

What Are The Running Costs?

Most plug-in electric fireplaces are rated at 1500 watts, regardless if the display flame is infrared, incandescent or LED. This power usage is identical to a standard 1500 watt electric baseboard heater. You can expect power expense to range from about 10 to 20 cents an hour depending on the setting you use and the specs of the make and model. By comparison, gas fireplaces can regularly cost towards 30 cents an hour.

Many of the fireplaces on the market have adjustable settings which can offer a lot of flexibility and cost savings. Running your unit on 750 watts with the flame for ambience can cut your bill in half!

Make Sure to have a Dedicated Outlet

A major consideration for the installation of an electric fireplace is its draw on your home’s circuitry. A 1500 watt fireplace engages the maximum amount of electricity that can be run through the circuit, so if you run anything else, the circuit will trip. It’s important that you have a dedicated circuit for your fireplace to avoid any problems.

What is the Installation Like?

Installing electrical fireplaces is generally quite easy. Given you have a free circuit most are simply a plug and play setup. Some will require a little bit of installation such as mounting brackets. If you intend to install an electric fireplace where your traditional fireplace was, you may need some basic carpentry knowledge.

Despite this, the main issue of installation is making sure that you have a dedicated circuit for your new fireplace. If you need any electric work done, be sure to hire a licensed electrician to help you install a new power outlet.

If you have any questions about electrical fireplaces, or would like to know more about installation or maintenance of electrical items please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

With over 9 years of experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing air con and electrical services of the highest quality. Get in touch with us today.

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5 Signs It's Time to Upgrade Your Electrical Switchboard

5 Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Electrical Switchboard

By | Electrical

Electrical switchboards are one of the most important parts of your home, after all, what would you do without electricity? These devices route electricity right to where you need it, delivering the conveniences and comforts we are accustomed to.

Despite this, electrical switchboards can become outdated and even overwhelmed with the requirements of technology, such as lighting and appliances. If you suspect that your electrical switchboard might not be able to keep up with modern energy needs, it might be time for an upgrade.

Although many of our appliances claim to be energy efficient, households are consuming more and more energy each day, so it’s no surprise that old electrical switchboards can’t keep up. 5 Signs It's Time to Upgrade Your Electrical Switchboard

It’s important to be aware of the signs that might point towards a need to upgrade your electrical switchboard. Here’s what to look out for.

 

You Live in an Old House

If you live in an older house your power board may not be up to the task of supporting the variety of appliances that are required in our modern lives. In times past, a single 60-amp electrical switchboard did the job, however, now homes generally require single phase 80amp or three phase 80amp. Your panel should display it’s specifications, however, if you are unsure it might be a good idea to get an electrician to take a look.

Your Appliances Aren’t Performing Properly

If you notice that your appliances aren’t working to the best of their ability, it might be a sign that your electrical switchboard panel isn’t keeping up. Some signs of an overworked panel include appliances cutting out, lights flickering and corrosion or signs of melting around the unit itself. If you regularly find that using multiple appliances trips breakers, this could also be a good indication that your electrical switchboard may need an upgrade.

Your electrical switchboard Uses a Fuse Rather Than Residual Circuit Breakers (RCBO)

Prior to the 1970s, most homes were built with fuses, which essentially operate in the same way as a circuit breaker, and protect from surges, however, they are prone to melting, blowing, short-circuiting, and in the worst cases, fires. Fuse based systems were adequate for the power needs of a home 50 years ago, however, in the modern age, they can easily become overloaded. If you have a fuse based system, the best bet is to have an electrician install a Residual Circuit Breaker.

Your Breakers Are Frequently Tripping

Circuit breakers are designed to trip when they detect an irregularity in a flow in electricity and protect the system from the dangers of an influx of current, which can in the worst case can cause fires. Tripping is an important feature to protect your system, however, if you find that your system is tripping regularly it’s a good indication that there’s something wrong with your electrical switchboard, or your electrical switchboard panel can’t cope with the electrical draw in your home.

You’re Renovating or Have Purchased New Appliances

If you have recently renovated your home, it’s a good idea to make sure that your electrical switchboard can handle any new changes to the circuit. Similarly, any new appliances may burden your system and cause it to overload.

When it comes to upgrading your electrical switchboard it’s not just a matter of convenience, it’s also a matter of safety.

If you have any questions about electrical switchboards, or if you believe it may be time for an upgrade the best bet is to talk to a professional.

With over 9 years experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing fast and efficient service of the highest quality. If you have any questions regarding electronics in your old home or are looking for a quote for electrical installations, repairs, or general maintenance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with HunterCON about Power Boards today.

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Does your Antique Home Need Rewiring

Does your Antique Home Need Rewiring?

By | Electrical

How old is your home? If your answer is over 30 years, you might need to consider rewiring. Like most things in life, a home’s wires deteriorate with time, so if you have a home of antiquity, you might need to consider a bit of restoration. Despite this, just because they’re old, doesn’t mean that they’re going to break, still, the safety hazards of leaving damaged wiring unchecked mean that getting your home inspected should be a regular priority.
Does your Antique Home Need Rewiring

Antique homes have a grace and charm like no other, but like any other classic item, they require a bit more maintenance to keep them working their best. Just like you’d refurbish an old car, old homes require the same treatment. Here are some reasons why it might be time to rewire your home.

 

Electrical Wiring Doesn’t Last Forever

Electrical wiring unfortunately doesn’t last forever, and as it reaches its last legs, wiring can become faulty, resulting in occurrences like lights flickering, fuzes tripping and even short circuits. Wires can lose their grounding over time, making electric shock a real risk, so it’s recommended that your wiring is checked every 10 years.

Your Outlets Could be Faulty

When electrical outlets aren’t in their best working order, they may not be properly grounded, which means there may be a chance of electric shock when plugging into the outlet.
Physical defects such as cracks, chips, missing parts, and loose screws could also mean that there isn’t enough tension to hold the cord into the outlet.

Your Power Box Might Be Dated

Your homes power box/service panel is the heart of your entire electrical system. Any fault to the power box can mean that your whole system goes down, and it’s a costly repair. Regularly checks can make sure that your power box is in working order. It’s also important to consider your power box when thinking about any new appliances or renovations. Old electric panels may not be up to the challenge of modern power needs, so you may be due for an upgrade.

Your Home is Old

A property over 30 years old with the original wiring is likely due for an upgrade. Old properties need to meet modern safety standards and be equip to deal with the energy needs of our technology-heavy times. Old wiring made the use of dated rubber, fabric or lead-insulated cabling, where modern wiring is PVCu coated and coloured grey-white. Old wiring can become ungrounded and faulty causing your system to trip or blow fuses or, at worst, spark a potentially lethal house fire or electrical shock. Modern wiring is twin earthed, which goes a long way to for safety purposes.

You Have Any of The Following Signs

If you have any of the following signs, it could be a good indication that your home’s wiring isn’t up to scratch. The best bet is to contact an electrician if you have or experience any of the following:
• An old fuse box with a wooden back and cast iron switches and ceramic fuse.
• Cables mounted on the surface that run along skirting boards or up walls.
• Lead, fabric or black rubber insulated cables.
• A mix of different sockets, indicating a partial rewire.
• You frequently experience tripped breakers or blown fuses.
• Dimming or flickering of lights.
• Hot or discoloured switch plates.
• Light bulbs burn out in their socket.
• Buzzing or burning smells.
• Loose outlets, cracks, cuts or broken insulation.
• Arcs, sparks or electrical shocks when you touch chords.

It’s Time To Get An Inspection

If you have a home older than 30 years, it’s recommended that you get a periodic inspection every 10 years. All the areas mentioned should be checked thoroughly to make sure that old circuits can handle the power needs of modern lifestyles.

Often a full rewire can be avoided if some of your circuitry is up to scratch. It’s sometimes possible to upgrade by adding a modern electrical panel and proper earthing arrangements.

With over 9 years experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing fast and efficient service of the highest quality. If you have any questions regarding electronics in your old home or are looking for a quote for electrical installations, repairs, or general maintenance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with HunterCON about Power Boards today.

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How Much Power Should You Use

How Much Power Should You Use?

By | Electrical

In the 21st century, there are more and more reasons to reduce your power usage. It’s better for the environment and it saves you money, what’s not to like about that? Despite this, our modern lifestyles require many energy-hungry appliances that can cause energy usage to steadily rise. But how high should your power use really be? And how can you monitor and cut down on your usage?
How Much Power Should You Use

There’s no question that modern lifestyles require a lot of energy, and Australians are using more and more energy every year. But how much power should you really be using and how can you keep your bill down?

 

How Much Energy Do Australian’s Use?

When it comes to calculating how much energy your household should be using, there are a lot of factors. There are many types of households across the country, and each requires different energy needs. Some factors that may affect your energy usage include:

• The size of the house
• The type of house
• The appliances and heating/cooling systems you use
• Your or your families lifestyles

According to the Australian energy update 2018, Australian households used 127222-GWh in the 2016-2017 period. This breaks down to an average of 6666.67kWh per household per year, and roughly 18kWh per day.

To put these measurements into perspective, let’s take a look at the rough usage of common household appliances.

• A 100 watt light bulb uses 1kWh in 10 hours.
• An electric oven set to 180 degrees Celsius for an hour uses 2kwh.
• Set at 95 degrees c for 7 hours a crockpot uses 0.7 kWh.
• A toaster set at 180 degrees c uses 0.33 kWh.
• A microwave set on high for 15 minutes uses 0.36 kWh.
• An electric convection oven set at 165 degrees for 45 minutes uses 1.39 kWh.
• A washing machine uses 0.3 kWh per load on cold, but 4.5 hours on warm.
• A laptop computer uses between 15-45 kWh per hour, while a desktop uses 60 to 250 watts per hour. Even on sleep computers can use between 1 and 6 kWh.
• An inefficient refrigerator can use 1000kWh per year, while a new energy rated fridge can uses as little as 400kWh per year.
• A 200 Watt television used for 6 hours uses 1.2kWh.
• A 2400 watt fan used eight hours is equal to 19.2kWh.

When you look at how much energy your appliances use, it’s easier to get a picture of how much power you should be using. Total household energy consumption accounts for all of the different ways that a home uses energy. According to government statistics:

• Heating and cooling account for 40% of household energy use.
• Hot water heating accounts for 21% of household energy use.
• Lighting accounts for 6% of household energy use.
• Appliances and equipment account for 33% of average energy use.

How to Check Your Energy Usage

So how does your energy bill stack up? And how can you get a little more conscious of your electricity consumption? Here are some tips:

• Take a look at your bill. There’s usually a summary of electricity used, and the price per unit in kWh.
• Smart appliances can come built in with energy monitoring technology to help you stay on top of your energy usage.
• Check your electricity meter each month to see how your usage changes week to week.
• The government’s ‘Energy Made Easy’ website is a great tool for estimating and comparing energy use.

What Are The Best Ways to Save Energy?

There are many great ways to save on your energy bill, and a lot of them come down to making better choices when it comes to appliances and smarter practices when it comes to lighting, heating and cooling. Here’s some things to consider:

• Make use of your home’s design to minimise the amount of heating and cooling your home needs. For example, insulation can go a long way to reduce the amount of air conditioning required in your home.
• Research appliances to make sure that they are smart choices when it comes to energy consumption, use the star rated system.
• Consider solar and wind to supplement your energy consumption.
• Turn light bulbs off when not in use and switch appliances to ‘off’ rather than ‘standby’.
• Wash your clothes in cold water.
• Set your laptop or desktop computer to switch to ‘sleep’ when not in use.
• Monitor your use of air-conditioning and consider installing a smart thermometer.
• Use energy-saving bulbs, like LEDs.
• Dry clothes on the line rather than in the dryer, and consider washing on cold.

If you have any questions about energy usage, or if you’d like ideas to help you save energy please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

With over 9 years experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing fast and efficient service of the highest quality. If you have any questions regarding electricity in your house or are looking for a quote for electrical installations, repairs, or general maintenance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with HunterCON about Power Boards today.

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Edison Light Bulbs Are They Worth it

Edison Light Bulbs: Are They Worth it?

By | Electrical

Edison Light Bulbs are a blast from the past. They have recently made a resurgence, and are designed to emulate the early tungsten filament light bulbs produced by the Edison Electric Light Company in the early 20th century. These bulbs are something of a modern trend and usually have elaborate wiring of their internal filaments.

However, like all incandescent bulbs, they are not as efficient as modern alternatives, such as LEDs, so if you are considering looking at Edison Light Bulbs, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons.
Edison Light Bulbs Are They Worth it

Edison Light Bulbs offer a vintage aesthetic and a nice warm glow, but there are many modern alternatives, so are they really worth it? Here are some pros and cons to help you decide if they are the brightest option for you

 

Pros:

They Are Warm

One of the main appeals of Edison light bulbs is that they emanate warm light far more than a modern incandescent, CFL or standard LED light. Warm light makes a room feel cosier, and according to a study performed by Harvard Medical School, blue light, which is more prevalent in CFLs and some LEDs can be disruptive to sleep patterns.

They Are Stylish

If you’ve been to a trendy cafe or cocktail bar lately, you’ll probably notice a row of Edison bulbs hanging above the counter. There’s no denying they have a cool aesthetic. Their exposed look, screams vintage, as does the amber glass and warm glow that they produce.

They Are Cheap

Incandescent bulbs are an old design and are among the cheapest you can get, however, particularly styled Edison bulbs may set you back a little more. Still, they are often a lot cheaper to modern lighting alternatives such as CFLs and LEDs.

Cons:

They Are Fragile

Despite the detailed look of Edison bulb’s filaments, they are extremely intricate and fragile. They are probably not a good idea if they are in reach of children or pets.

They Aren’t That Bright

Excuse the pun, but it’s true! Edison bulbs aren’t that bright compared to just about every other modern alternative. There is a difference between wattage and luminosity. Even though Edison bulbs may have the same wattage as a normal incandescent bulb, their design causes them to produce roughly half the lumens. This means that although they might be nice for mood lighting, they are not ideal for spotlighting.

They are Less Energy Efficient

Edison bulbs are not nearly as efficient as modern alternatives, they can turn up to 90% of their energy use into heat, which is not ideal for the modern power conscious family. LED lights, by comparison, are much more efficient, losing only 20% of their energy to heat. Also, they require less energy overall to operate – between 50% and 90%.

The Best of Both Worlds

There is no question that tungsten light bulbs are old technology. They use more energy and produce more heat and less light, meaning they are incredibly inefficient. After all, they are over 100 years old!

Despite this, the vintage look is in, if only you could get the efficiency of an LED light with the cool spiral and warm glow of an olden-day filament.

Well, you can! Many companies have noticed the trend of Edison bulbs, however, they have tried to adapt the design to the modern, eco-conscious world. You can now buy decorative spirals and coils of LEDs, that look just like tungsten coils of times gone by. These new LEDs are adjusted to a warm colour temperature and have glass treated with an amber glow, so you can have all of the charms of an old bulb, with modern efficiency.

LED lights solve all the problems of incandescent bulbs. They are more durable, more efficient and even last longer. Edison bulbs have approximately 1000 lumen-hours, LED filament bulbs, on the other hand, have approximately up to 40,000 hours.

If you’re unsure about Edison Light Bulbs, or would like to know more about LED filament lights please don’t hesitate to give us a call. With over 9 years experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing electrical and air con services of the highest quality. Get in touch with us today.

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Electrical Power Boards

Electrical Power Boards
– What Not To Do

By | Electrical

Power boards. Yes, they’re handy, they help you charge your phone, hook up your television and even to get all of your appliances working to make breakfast. It’s important to remember, however, that it’s possible to get carried away and to create a potential hazard where there shouldn’t be one.
Electrical Power Boards

There’s no doubt about it, power boards are extremely handy, but they can also be dangerous if mistreated. Here’s what not to do with your power board.

When it comes to power boards, a good rule of thumb is that they should never be used as a replacement to power-points. If you find that you are constantly overloading your power board, it may be time to consider installing an extra wall mounted power point to avoid unseen risks.

Overloaded power boards that do not have any surge protection can trip your circuit. This can lead to blackouts and in extreme cases can cause fires, so be sure to follow the appropriate safety measures.

If you have no other choice than to use power boards, you should always follow the appropriate safety precautions. Here are a few things you should consider:

What not to do

• Don’t connect multiple appliances that require a lot of electricity, such as white goods, heaters and dryers.

• Don’t place power boards in places where they may be exposed to heat, such as in the sun or near a heater or in unventilated areas.

• Don’t plug one multiple adapter into one another, this is also called ‘piggy backing’ and is regarded as a dangerous practice.

• Don’t place power boards in a place where dust and moisture can undermine their safety and longevity.

• Don’t place power boards in areas that are accessible to children.

What to do

• Purchase power boards that include overload protection as well as surge protection.

• Purchase power boards that have wide spaces around outlets so that different types of plugs do not touch.

• Check to see that the rating of appliances is compliant with the power board.

• Check your power board for damage or loose parts.

• Make sure that the power board and the wall switch are both turned off if not in use.

• Make sure that power boards meet Australian Electrical Standards.

Most power boards are not made to live forever, and therefore will require regular inspection.
Power boards that are surge protected are designed to protect your electronics and deteriorate over time, so these will need to be replaced, especially if you suspect you may have experienced a power surge.

If you have any questions about electrical power boards, or if you believe your power board is hazardous, it may be time to install an extra power point, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call..

With over 9 years experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing fast and efficient service of the highest quality. If you have any questions regarding electricity in your house or are looking for a quote for electrical installations, repairs, or general maintenance, please don’t hesitate to Get in touch with HunterCON about Power Boards today.

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outdoor lighting

Where To Install Outdoor Lighting

By | Electrical

Outdoor lighting can make your home a much more habitable place, not only does it make it easier for you to get to your front door at night, but it can also create whole new living spaces that are ideal for entertaining in the summer. Different lights are suitable for different jobs. Some create an impression and some are more suitable for practical purposes, but the best can do both!
outdoor lighting

When it comes to outdoor lighting, practicality is important, light where it’s not needed is a waste of energy and poorly lit pathways can be hazardous, so be sure to have a think about the places in your home that most need light. Here are some key areas to consider.

 

Front Door

The front door is one of the most common areas for outdoor lighting. Not only is it practical to have lighting to help you find your keys, but a well lit front door can make a huge first impression when guests come around.

High Traffic Areas

Aside from the front door, homes have a lot of places that can be considered high traffic, such as the pathway to your front door, or the path from your laundry to your clothesline. Areas such as these benefit from the installation of spike lights, which can be small solar panelled lights or long chains of waterproof wired lights that sit alongside a pathway.

Risk Areas

Do you have places in your house that could pose a risk to someone if they couldn’t see where they were going? Ground level changes, sudden step-downs, pool areas and staircases can prove hazardous if people cannot see them, especially guests who don’t know where they are going. Risk areas can benefit from sensor activated lighting, and lights installed on the outward face of steps can make getting up and down a lot safer.

Garage Lights

Garage or carport lighting is a practical choice, not only can it help you park safely at night, but it can assist you in getting all of your belongings out of the car, which is particularly handy if you’ve just done a big shop.

Decorative Lighting

Although lighting is a practical installation, it can also be used to ‘brighten up’ the appearance of your house. Lighting can create a nice ambience with a modern touch and when applied to garden lines, windows or eves, it can serve both form and function. Lighting up fountains with feature lights and trees with spotlights can create a dramatic effect in your garden, but can also illuminate large areas for practical purposes. A lit tree over a BBQ or clothesline not only looks great but can go a long way to improve visibility in the evening.

Creating Outdoor Living Spaces

If you have a deck, patio or porch, you can create a whole new room of the house just by adding a bit of light. In ground lighting is a great option for decking or tiled areas and wall lights are suitable for specific areas, such as outdoor dining tables.

If you have any questions about outdoor lighting or would like to know more about installation or maintenance, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. With over 9 years experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing electrical and air con services of the highest quality. Get in touch with us today.

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Perfect Home Theatre

How to Create the Perfect Home Theatre

By | Electrical

Everyone enjoys a trip to the cinemas, but by the time you’ve added up ticket pricing, popcorn and a drink, things can get costly pretty quickly. And what if you want to put your feet up? It makes you think, maybe it’s better to stay at home…

With the rise of streaming services, and technology becoming more and more affordable, it’s easier than ever to get the motion picture experience at home.
Perfect Home Theatre

If you consider yourself a bit of a movie buff, it makes a lot of sense to make your own home cinema room, you can avoid cues, put your feet up and eat whatever you want.

 
However, there are a few things you might want to keep in mind to make sure you get the best cinema experience possible.

The Room

Your first consideration in setting up a home theatre should be the room. Generally speaking, home theatres take up a lot of space, so having the right dimensions is important. This is especially relevant if you choose to use a projector, which may require a throw space of over 4 metres to cast a screen size with a 150-inch diameter.

Another consideration is having a room that is isolated from the rest of the house. Non-dedicated home theatre rooms have to share the space with kitchen sounds, random lights as well as the goings on of the rest of the family, so finding a room with its own space is important. Basements, attics and spare rooms are great options.

Projector or Television?

When it comes to choosing the right screen for a home theatre, the biggest decision you have to make is whether to go with a traditional television or a projector. One of the main considerations here is the size of your room and the amount of light that it lets in. Both these factors will affect the performance of a projector and if your room is smaller and has large windows, you might be better of going with a large television. This isn’t much of a compromise, however, as televisions can range all the way up to 85 inches, and curved screen TVs are great for handling light issues as well as awkward angles.

If you have a lot of space and are able to effectively block out light in your dedicated cinema room, it may be well worth going with a projector, as they are adjustable and can range from 40 all the way up to 300 inches and beyond. This way you can adjust the projector to suit your room. Despite this, there are a few other factors to consider with projectors, such as mounts and cables, as well as coating the opposite wall with projector screen paint to optimise performance.

Surround Sound

Surround sound systems are important for making your dedicated cinema room sound as authentic as possible. A 5.1 channel setup is necessary, which refers to three speakers in the front, two in the rear, as well as a subwoofer. 7.1 channel setups are also available but with extra speakers, it’s important to be able to situate them in the right place so that they sound optimal. Subwoofers on top of cabinets can create unwanted buzzing sounds, and speakers that are hidden behind furniture may not be able to project at their highest potential, so consider specialised mounts for each speaker and be sure to place subwoofers on the ground.

Soundproofing

Soundproofing is important to optimise the acoustics of a room and to make the most of your surround sound system. Soundproofing can be expensive, however, if you are able to add extra insulation to your walls this will be a bonus. Alternatively, consider sound absorption. Carpet is better at absorbing sound than hardwood floors and minimising hard surfaces and adding objects like couches and curtains can also go a long way to improve your cinemas audio quality.

Lighting

Lighting ambience is a big part of the cinema experience and the right lighting can make or break the mood of a home theatre. Consider fitting dimmer lights, so that you can adjust the lighting at the turn of a switch. Controlling natural light is also important, so if you have large windows, you may need to consider fitting curtains or blinds.

If you have any questions about your setting up a home cinema or would like to know more about installation or maintenance, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. With over 9 years experience under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing air con services of the highest quality. Get in touch with us today.