Businesses in any industry are familiar with the large amounts of energy their employment consumes, so it is only natural that they begin to review how they conduct their energy use practices. Energy conservation is becoming more and more relevant, and not only because it helps the environment.

Businesses can gain a lot from making their workplace more energy efficient as this can significantly help decrease monthly energy bills. An opportunity to save money for your own bottom line shouldn’t be overlooked, so check out these energy-efficient, inexpensive strategies:

Minimise Heating and Cooling

Many people are worried about messing with the heating and cooling system in fear of upsetting the comfort of everyone else in the room. However, just a few degrees of a difference are hardly noticeable, so you can alter the heating and cooling without negatively impacting the comfort of the room.

In cold weather, try setting the thermostat temperature down a few degrees lower than normal. In the summer, turn the air conditioning up a couple of degrees. The amount of energy saved from this really adds up over a few months, and staff won’t even notice the change!

Enforce Power-Off and Lights-Off Regulations

At the end of the work day when employees go home, many do not realise that leaving their computers on standby and the lights on until the next day drains a lot of energy for a business. By creating a policy where regulations are in place to ensure that the lights get turned off and computers get turned off, you can save yourself a lot of energy consumption.

Try putting stickers on light switches and friendly reminders on the noticeboard to help keep this at the forefront of employees’ minds; email reminders work well too.

Consider More Natural Lighting

Natural lighting is a big energy-efficient choice for any office. Windows and skylights are both great for adding natural light in the workplace, so try encouraging employees to draw the blinds to let natural light in during the day and then move back to electric lights when it gets too dark outside to provide enough natural light.

Update Appliances

Old printers and refrigerators can consume a lot more energy than upgraded appliances. If you have two fridges but your workplace really only needs one, trade them out for a new fridge with a higher energy rating.

Install Solar Panels

Solar panels are one of the most beneficial investments you can make to increase energy efficiency. Solar panels are much more affordable than they used to be, so it makes sense to generate your own power with a solar power system or a solar hot water system.

Need an Electrician?

For more tips and advice on how to make your workplace more energy efficient, contact us today! Visit our Ricktek Electrical & Air Solutions website for more information or if you are interested in speaking to our reliable team of Perth electricians

by Michael Gray

Electrical issues and the required repairs are an unavoidable aspect of modern living. With how expensive hiring a professional electrician can be, do it yourself home repairs can be very tempting to do. However, many electrical projects require a professional electrician because they can be quite hazardous if they are attempted by someone who does not have as much experience.

Here are 3 reasons why you should find a reliable electrician:

The Job Gets Done Correctly

What seems like a simple wiring project can actually be much more complex than it initially appears. You can save yourself a lot of time by simply calling someone who is very familiar with what they are doing, such as our expert teams here at Richtek Electrical & Air Solutions.

If your electrical problem requires going into one of your walls, that can be troublesome business. A professional electrician can take care of the issue while being as minimally invasive as possible so that no permanent damage is done to your home.

A Professional Electrician Will Ensure the Job Is done Safely

A reputable electrician will ensure that the electrical job is completed safely both during the process and after. If a job was completed incorrectly, it could potentially lead to some very serious safety hazards such as electrical shocks, electrical fires, or other hazards.

A reputable electrician will have gained enough experience over the years to ensure the safety of your home and themselves as they work. Their expertise on the subject guarantees that they can handle whatever unexpected turns the situation throws at them. The fact of the matter is, electricians simply know a lot more about their field than anybody else does.

You Save Money in the End

Every homeowner or business owner knows that their home or building will eventually need some type of electrical repairs. If you decide to do the repairs yourself, you will have to get all kinds of permits and inspectors involved, which can waste lot of time, money, and resources. While electricians can be a little pricey, you can control the costs. For example, you can have your electrical circuits mapped out correctly beforehand so that an electrician doesn’t need to do that for you.

Here are a few ways that a reliable electrician can save you money:

1. Make sure the project is completed in compliance with local codes and regulation standards
2. Electricians come prepared
3. Once an electrician gets the job done right the first time, you won’t have to go back and redo anything that you might have messed up on your own
4. You can’t put a price on the peace of mind you get knowing that your electric work was done correctly and will continue to work well and safely in the long-term.

If you are planning on doing any home renovations, check out this article on what you would need a professional electrician’s expertise for. While there are occasionally benefits to doing electrical work yourself, there is certainly the time and place to call in a professional to do the work for you.

by Michael Gray

Are you considering upgrading your switchboard? Has an electrician been out to your property and told you that you need a new one, or have you simply noticed problems with it on your own and think it might be time to­ have it upgraded?

Switchboards aren’t designed to last forever, so needing to upgrade yours when the time comes is to be expected. But what should you expect when your switchboard starts acting up and you need to upgrade it? What will the damage be to your wallet? Let’s dive in:

Knowing When to Upgrade

If you have an older Perth home, then it’s more likely that you’ll need to upgrade your switchboard if you haven’t yet. This ensures that the wiring is sufficient to support the needs of multiple appliances that you use in your household at the same time. When your house was first built, it may not have been standard to have so much electricity running through it at once. Today, however, it’s normal to be running a washing machine, dishwasher, air-conditioner, and an oven all at the same time – and that requires a lot of electricity.

Switchboards that were installed in Perth homes that are more than 20 years old are typically not able to cope with these high demands. As a result, you might be at risk of a connector in the wiring or fuse burning out. This could result in a dangerous electrical fire.

In addition, older switchboards might not have the required 2 RCDs, which is another essential reason that your switchboard might need upgrading. These RCDs help to offer a layer of protection for your children and family by protecting against shocks and electrical fires.

Dangers of an Outdated Switchboard

As we have already mentioned, outdated switchboards might not have the required 2 RCDs that they need to help keep your family safe. These devices are designed to protect your family against fatal electrocutions by cutting the power source instantly, protecting anyone who touches a live wire from electrical shock. Installing RCDs has been proven to prevent 90% of fatal electrocutions!

Fuses and plug-in circuit breakers are responsible for most electrical fires, so upgrading your switchboard allows you to take advantage of all the benefits with none of the dangers! Finally, many older switchboards also contain asbestos within their mounting. Asbestos is a proven carcinogenic and poses a health risk if it is not removed correctly. So, to protect your family from this harmful substance, make sure you call on a licensed electrician to remove your old switchboard and upgrade your home’s electricity!

Upgrade Your Switchboard Today!

Upgrading your switchboard can improve your electrical supply in your home, while also keeping your family safe. And the price of doing this is usually very reasonable if you know where to look!

A standard-sized home in Perth tends to require 11-15 poles as well as a new main switch to be installed. You can typically find this in Perth for around $1300 for this type of switchboard upgrade – but it all depends on the size and requirements of your home, so for an exact quote, it is best to speak with a local electrician! At Richtek Electrical and Air Solutions, we will be able to inspect your home and the requirements of your switchboard upgrade to give you a better idea of what you need to pay.

by Michael Gray