When you are purchasing a home, it goes without saying that you want to be sure the house is structurally sound, and that there are no lurking problems that will surface later and burn a hole in your pocket. It’s why many people get a building inspection and pest inspection done before they sign on the dotted line. While all of this sounds good, what most people aren’t aware of is that they can and should get an energy audit done too.

An electrical audit analyses the major components of the house structure; this includes:

In short, it gives you a very detailed picture about how the buildings works as a whole. For a couple of hundred dollars, you can get an energy audit done from a professional. This audit can save you a significant amount of money in the long term; it identifies the features in the house that require correction to enhance the energy-efficiency. At times, the energy audit results can play a pivotal role in your decision of whether you should invest in a particular property or not.

If you find that a house lacks in energy efficiency, but you still want to buy it, the audit results can become a bargaining tool; it may help you get the seller fix the problem, or you may be able to get the property at a much lower price. No matter which way you look at it; getting an electrical audit is a very good idea. In addition to the ones mentioned above, there are a number of other benefits to getting an electrical audit done, such as:

The simple fact is that spaces that are energy-efficient are also more comfortable to live in. Energy-efficiency upgrades will ensure that the heat will be evenly distributed across the home and your home will be warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

If the indoor air quality in your home is poor, it can cause allergies as well as other health problems. When you choose to get an electrical audit done, the professionals that are conducting the audit, carefully analyse the ventilation in your home and also recommend what can be done to improve the indoor air quality.

Energy efficiency may seem like an isolated aspect in the sustainability of your home. But when discrepancies in the building structure come to the fore during an energy audit, it’s indicative of the fact that many features are constructed poorly and that they will fail before their time. Once you have the audit results, you will get a clearer idea about what will have to do be done to improve the building envelope as a whole.

When you are hiring the services of an electrical/energy auditor, you should keep in view the fact that not every one of them uses the tools and follows the required processes while the audit is being conducted. Ideally, the auditor should use tools such as a duct blower, an infrared camera as well as a blower door.

The blower door is essentially a fan that has to be mounted on the doorframe. It efficiently depressurises & pressurises the home to measure what the air leakage is like. The duct blower performs the same function, but is attached to the ducting in the house. The infrared camera helps detect air leakage in the walls and the heat losses too.

For more information about electrical audits and the best electrical solutions, call Allround Electrical at 1300 169 263. You can also drop us a line via email or by filling out this contact form.

Thanks for reading,1300 169 263

Have you ever thought about maximizing your backyard? The outdoors are beautiful in the spring time and you will likely want to enjoy the fresh air after a long winter. It is exciting to be outside eating, socializing and relaxing. Maybe you have seen the surge in popularity for outdoor rooms. Everything from sitting spaces to kitchens are popping up in backyards across the country. It is an excellent way to take advantage of the additional space in your backyard while enjoying the great outdoors. An electrician in Los Angeles can help you with your goal of having an outdoor room. The team at The Electric Connection can help.

You will need to have electricity in your outdoor space for any kitchen equipment, lights and fans. Outlets for your electronics are also going to be necessary. This is something your electrician will need to handle. Because the electricity will be outdoors, it is imperative safety measures are taken to ensure there are no electrical hazards. Depending on the number of outlets you need in your new space and the type of lighting that will be used, you will likely need an additional breaker installed. This will need to be evaluated by your Los Angeles electrician. An inspection of your current electric panel will be necessary to see if there is room in the panel or if you will need a panel upgrade.

The construction of an outdoor room will typically require permits and inspections by a county official. For this reason, you will need to have a certified electrician doing the work to make sure you are meeting all codes. This is typically required by your homeowner’s insurance policy as well. You can count on the qualified professionals at The Electric Company to help you make your dream of an outdoor living space a reality.

You may not be aware, but you can have Top Dallas Electrician, ElectricMan Inc. can offer a way to avoid these charges, and Lower Electric Bills by making sure that you are using the least amount of electric company power as possible during peak times.

An Indoor Generator is a unique solution that allows you to store power, either from your power grid when it is cheaper, or utilizing other renewable energy sources, and decide when you want to use it. This highly intelligent equipment allows you to program when and where you get your electricity, providing incredible independence and capabilities for Lower Electric Bills.

Take this as an example.  One local electric company uses a general rule of enforcing peak usage fees between 4pm and 8pm, so programming your system to use power stored during off peak hours at these times will allow you to stop paying these peak usage fees, and only pay the standard rate for electricity during normal usage hours.  This is a far more effective solution, since it is impractical for most home owners to change their schedule and stop using power during these times.

Once you have an Indoor Generator system in place and programmed, the system will automatically switch to your stored power during the times that you have chosen, leaving you worry free about when you are using your electricity!

7.  Convert the extra closet into a sewing/hobby center.  Install a custom-cut countertop and a little task light… “Viola!” You are done.

8.  Or, maybe you are not done….Why not literally “Knock Her Socks Off” and build her a bigger closet?!

Whether you are building a new closet or updating an existing one, there are specific rules for lighting an enclosed closet space.  The National Fire Protection Association’s National Electrical Code (NEC) sets standards for safety:

Because closets contain flammable material with limited ventilation, strict building codes dictate that specified lighting fixtures must be installed 18” to 24” from walls depending upon which lamp source is being used.  Surface mounted and recessed fixtures must allow for 6”-12” of clearance from any storage space, such as shelving or clothing rods.

♦Of course,these standards are not a problem for Mariah Carey whose closet is as big as a bedroom!

One of the latest changes to the NEC code is the addition of LED (light-emitting diode) fixtures.  LED lighting may cost a bit more, but energy-savings, greater illumination and safety features will prove to be well worth the investment over time.  The quality and adaptability of newer LED lighting makes it an excellent choice for closets and dressing rooms.

9.  Don’t leave Mom in the dark!  Create a cozy corner with a new den floor lamp so she may relax and read, while you watch the ball game! Try a lamp with full-spectrum lighting to elevate her spirits.

10.  Reward yourself:  Clean out the garage and carve out a space for a workshop that is all your own!

People are investing more into floor covering, cabinetry and shelving to make the most of their garage space.    Fluorescent fixtures, track lighting and simple portable lamps are making their way into upgraded organized garage systems.

If you live within the city of Los Angeles or even in the surrounding suburbs, you have probably been privy to a power outage a time or two. They can be a real drag if you are not prepared. Having a flashlight and candles handy is great, but wouldn’t it be nice to be able to simply turn on the light like you normally would when you wanted to read or find something in the cupboard? You can do just that when you have a generator installed by a Los Angeles electrician like those at The Electric Connection.

Standby generators ensure you have a source of power even when the main electric grid is down. You may not want to admit it, but our worlds revolve around power. Nearly everything we do requires electricity. Without it, we are kind of brought to a standstill. Fortunately, most power outages are short-lived, but an outage that extends more than an hour starts to become very bothersome. You are unable to do some of the simplest things like, warm up food, wash the dishes, do a load of laundry or even charge your electronics. Those batteries will only last for so long.

Having a standby generator is an investment you will certainly appreciate when the rest of the neighborhood is sitting in the dark. They go a long way to providing comfort and security. There is little work for you to do when the power goes out if you have a generator installed by an electrician. Los Angeles residents will have a switch installed on the generator that automatically switches the home from the power grid to the backup generator. You may have to reset a few clocks, but other than that, you can keep doing what you normally would. If you are interested in having your home equipped with a generator, give The Electric Connection a call today.