by Shannon Chalk | Feb 19, 2018 | Storm
It wouldn’t be a South East Queensland Summer without a few cracking thunderstorms. Luckily most will weather the season with only a few broken branches and maybe a black out or two, but unfortunately serious electrical incidents can occur. Follow these electrical safety tips from Worksafe Queensland to protect your home and loved ones this storm season:
- Install a safety switch and test it regularly. Always use a licensed electrical contractor for this one. Remember that D-I-Y electrical work is illegal and irresponsible.
- Know where to turn off your power, gas and water supply in an emergency. Make your family familiar with each of these in case they are home without you.
- Pack up electrical equipment that’s not in use and store in a safe place. Make sure it is out of the weather.
- Unplug outside TVs and non-fixed aerials and store in a dry area before the storm hits. If a storm is brewing keep an eye on the radar to avoid having to go outside.
- When a storm approaches switch off and unplug electrical equipment.
- Shut down your solar PV system using the safe isolation procedure. Give us a call if you are not aware of this procedure.
The final word: Look ahead at the week’s weather on a Sunday morning and start to prepare for any storms ahead. Don’t leave it until the rain starts to get safety conscious!
by Shannon Chalk | Feb 5, 2018 | Energy
Queensland has the third largest electricity market in Australia, with over 1.6 million residential households using power across the state. With electricity prices at an all-time high, every dollar counts! Here are some saving tips to reduce your household energy usage:
Say Goodbye to Standby
Switch off your TV, computer and other electrical appliances at the power point to reduce standby power use. Cost of appliances on standby can add over $100 to your electricity bill annually. You can also install Standby Power Controllers that switch appliances off when not in use.
Ditch the Clothes Dryer
Wash your clothes in cold water and dry them on a clothes line or rack instead of using a dryer. This can save you over $100 a year.
Get the Lights Right
Change any incandescent light bulbs in your home to energy efficient light bulbs. This can save you up to $19 per light bulb per year.
Cool It… But Not Too Much
Don’t overheat or excessively cool rooms. Setting your air conditioner a few degrees higher can save you up to $80 per year. Keeping your air conditioner at 24°C can reduce running costs by up to 10% per year.
One Fridge Too Many
Fridges run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Turning off that second fridge can save over $200 a year.
Insulation – Top Notch Creation
Install insulation in your roof and seal up any gaps around doors and windows using weather stripping and door snakes. Installing roof insulation can save you over $150 per year.
The final word – know your usage! Pay attention to your power bills each quarter and watch for seasonal differences. You will be surprised how much money there is to be saved with a few small changes throughout the year.
Sources: Clean Energy Council, 2105 and Queensland Council of Social Service, 2015
by Shannon Chalk | Jan 15, 2018 | Lighting
Pendant lights are bang on trend at the moment, but choosing the right pendant for your space can be an art form. There are a few key factors to consider when working with pendants in your kitchen and dining spaces:
Illumination
How much light do you need? This will depend on the amount of existing light in the space. A dining room with evenly spaced downlights may just need that extra sparkle of a single pendant to really pop. A kitchen lacking in natural light may need several lighting elements to improve visibility and ensure the area is user friendly.
Design
Just like fashion, less can be more when using pendant lights. The dining area is where your family and friends come to make memories. Save your feature pendant for right above your table. Add two or three subtle pendant lights over your kitchen bench. This will tie the two areas together while making sure the spaces aren’t competing for attention.
Functionality
Think about your kitchen activity when selecting your lighting. Pendants with an open or translucent bottom are perfect for your bench space as they direct light towards the task in front of you. Lighting the middle of the room is a common mistake in kitchens as this casts shadow across the task space.
Atmosphere
The kitchen is often the heart of the home. Create ambient lighting by using multiple lower output fixtures rather than large, single lights. Consider installation of a dimmer to give your kitchen and dining space that cosy restaurant feel.
Create pendant envy among your friends and family by completing the quote request form and let us help you pendant right!
by Shannon Chalk | Feb 15, 2017 | Smoke Alarms
Everything You Need to Know About Queensland’s New Smoke Alarm Laws
A properly functioning smoke alarm can be the difference between life and death. When it comes to protecting yourself and your family, taking risks with safety is just not worth it. Recently in Queensland, the laws surrounding smoke alarms have changed for home owners. At Chalk Electrical we have done our research to bring you the basics of what you need to know to make sure your property complies with the new legislation.
From 1st January, 2017:
- Existing alarms that are more than 10 years must be replaced with photoelectric smoke alarms
- All alarm replacements or installations are to be photoelectric smoke alarms only
- Alarms should be hard wired and interconnected
- Alarms must be installed in all bedrooms and interconnecting hallways
- Properties for sale or lease will need photoelectric smoke alarms installed by January 1st, 2022. This is the responsibility of the home owner.
What are Photoelectric Alarms?
Photoelectric, also known as photo-optical, smoke alarms detect the visible particles of combustion. This means that for smoldering fires, they are extremely responsive to detecting smoke. Many houses are currently fitted with ionisation alarms, which have been shown to be significantly slower in detecting smoldering fires. Photoelectric alarms are also less likely to be triggered by false alarms (e.g. set off when cooking).
What are interconnecting alarms?
Having your smoke alarms interconnected means that when one sounds, they all sound. For example, smoke being detected in one part of the house will activate alarms in all parts of the house. This means that you can have peace of mind that your family is protected in all parts of your house.
Source: https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au
Not sure if your home is up to standard? Call us to schedule a Home Smoke Alarm Safety Check and rest easy knowing that you and your family are protected.
by Shannon Chalk | Feb 2, 2017 | Cooling
Anyone who has survived an Ipswich summer will know that there are times you’d do anything to cool your house down. While ceiling fans and air conditioning are often the go-to option when it comes to cooling down, there are simple things that you can do to keep your house cool without incurring huge power bills. Keep these tips in mind and survive the Ipswich heat this summer!
Keep your blinds and curtains closed during the hotter parts of the day
Windows are a major source of unwanted heat in your home. Closing the shades can help to reflect sun and glare entering your rooms and can reduce the inside temperature significantly. Pay particular attention to north and west facing windows as these tend to let in the most heat.
Strategically open doors and windows during the cooler parts of the day
Queenslander homes are a wonderful example of how we can utilise our natural surroundings to cool our home. In the afternoon and evenings be sure to open opposite facing windows and doors to allow a cross breeze through your home. Just be sure to close the screens to keep out the mozzies!
Get the most out of your air conditioner
Make sure blinds / curtains and drawn and bedroom doors are closed when cooling the living areas of your home. Turn your ceiling fans on as well to help circulate the air around the room. Run your air conditioner at 24 degrees on low speed for longer, rather than waiting for the house to heat up then blasting the air conditioner. Overloading your air conditioner will not efficiently cool the space and you may shorten the life of the unit.
Consider insulating your home
According to Environment Victoria, insulation can reduce your energy use by up to 45%, meaning you could save big dollars on your power bill (http://environmentvictoria.org.au). Insulation increases the effectiveness of your air conditioning and come winter it will even keep your house warm as well.
Need some help contact us!
Read more about how to stay warm this winter.
