Over time, the different parts of a house wear out from normal use. The deterioration of paint and flooring are two of the most noticeable signs of an aging property. Within the walls of any rental there is an entirely different type of corrosion is occurring. Household electrical components (such as light fixtures and wiring) often outlast other parts of the home however as time passes the devices will start to malfunction. To keep a rental property suitable for occupation, a well-maintained electrical system is a must. Because property managers need to budget for property upgrades, let us take a look at the more substantial replacements you’ll likely run into when renovating your rental property.

THE LIFESPAN OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS EXPLAINED

Starting from the shortest life expectancy to the longest, here is how long you can expect to use the new electrical devices in a rental home.

• LIGHT BULBS: During the course of your real estate career, you’ll probably change more light bulbs than any other feature of your property. Not all bulbs are made equally, so consider the pros and cons of different types carefully. Standard incandescent bulbs last about 1,000 to 2,000 hours, but are currently being ‘phased out’ by more energy efficient bulb models. Halogen lamps have 4x the lifespan of incandescent bulbs, but use much more electricity during the course of their lives. Compact fluorescents (more commonly known as CFL’s) can last up to 10,000 hours, while LED bulbs have been known to stay in use for over 50,000 hours. Needless to say, LED bulbs offer the highest ROI thanks to their long life and low maintenance requirements.

 

• AFCI’S (ARC-FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS): These have recently become mandatory electrical safety devices in living areas, according to the National Electrical Code. Meant to replace standard electrical plugs, AFCI’s prevent ‘arching’ circuits from creating a harmful spark to the household tenant, or from starting a fire inside the wall. After replacement, you can expect to get 15-30 years out of your device.

 

• GFCI’S (GROUND-FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS): Similar to AFCI’s, these devices are used in water-prone areas like kitchen counters and bathrooms. Because the likelihood and severity of electrical shocks increase in moisture-rich areas, these safety switches were designed to prevent harmful shocks with their safety-focused construction. Depending on the model you use, a GFCI can last up to 30 years.

 

• LIGHT FIXTURES: Although light fixtures can last around 40 years, most tend to become damaged or broken (due to cracked glass or faulty wiring) long before their expiration date. To avoid having to replace lighting frequently, invest in quality lighting brands up-front to truly get a longer lifespan out of each fixture.

 

• SERVICE PANELS: As the heart of any electrical system, the service panel must be in perfect working condition to prevent electrical failure and safety hazards. Most service panels have a life expectancy of up to 60 years, however regular service calls should be scheduled to make sure the breakers and connections inside are still functioning safely.

Understanding electrical components will help you maintain a well-kept rental property. Keep an eye out for electrical devices that seem to be deteriorating before their projected lifespan, which can be a symptom of more serious electrical issues.

A home is probably the largest single purchase you will make in your life. After saving for years to scrape together a down payment and picking the perfect home for you and your family, it’s natural to want to move in as quickly as possible Before you finalise your purchase, having an electrical inspection done by a licensed electrician is highly recommended for ensuring your electrical safety. Why? Here are six good reasons everyone should have a professional electrician inspect any home electrical system before purchasing.

1) TROUBLES WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING

Electrical safety is something every homeowner should take seriously. Every year, there are roughly 300 people admitted to an Australia hospital as a result of household electrical malfunctions. Faulty wiring and arching power points are both common culprits of household injuries and fires, but can be prevented with routine inspections by a professional.

2) SMOKE ALARM FUNCTIONING

Up to 50% of household fatalities are said to be preventable if a working smoke alarm had been present, and a fire escape routine had been practiced. Having a licensed electrician ensure all of the smoke alarms in your new home are working properly is a critical aspect of your future electrical safety.

3) IDENTIFY OVERLOADED CIRCUITS

If there are too many devices wired into a particular electrical power point, that particular “route” will become overloaded. Overloads can begin to wreak havoc on an electrical system by first causing breakers to pop. Over time the issue will begin to advance, and the breaker associated with the power point will eventually blow. Save yourself the aggravation of this process by identifying the issue right off the bat when you purchase the home.

4) ENSURE YOUR HOME IS UP TO CODE

Between 2009 and 2010, 96% of people who were fatally electrocuted during the course of electrical work were members of the general public, not electricians. When you buy a previously owned home, you never know what kind of repairs have been done in the years leading up to your move in. If the previous homeowner had electrical work completed by an unlicensed electrician, there’s a possibility that some of the work wasn’t completed safely or up to code. Having a licensed electrician check all connections and devices will prevent you from running into unforeseen problems in the future.

5) CHECK FOR RECALLED DEVICES

Occasionally, some electrical devices don’t work as well as they are intended to. Although all companies issue warranties when one of their products is recalled, some homeowners can go unaware of the malfunction for years. A licensed electrician will be able to identify recalled or malfunctioning devices, and replace them before they cause additional trouble to your electrical system.

6) UNDERSTAND THE STATE OF YOUR CURRENT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Talking to a licensed electrician about the pros and cons of your current electrical system will allow you to identify its strengths and weaknesses so that you can better plan renovations.

Your home electrical system is arguably the most dangerous part of your house’s construction. By having your system checked by a professional before purchasing, you can give yourself the peace of mind that your family will be safe living there, and that you won’t have to make major repairs to the system in the near future. If you need help checking the electrical integrity of a home, contact us today for assistance.

Home improvement projects are your way to enjoy your home. Over the years, you’ve fallen in love with the feeling of tackling a household problem and finding unique ways to fix it. When it comes to things like drywall and flooring, there’s usually no need to get a permit or hire a licensed contractor. Electrical repairs, however, are a completely different matter.

In today’s post, we’ll give you the details regarding when an electrical permit is needed, and whether or not you’re legally able to complete any electrical repairs yourself without the help of a licensed electrical contractor.

DO I NEED AN ELECTRICAL PERMIT FOR MY PROJECT?

A building permit allows the government to ensure your home’s electrical repairs are completed up to code, and in a safe manner. To make the process as easy as possible, anyone is able to file the paperwork to attain a building permit. An electrical permit is usually required for larger projects such as panel installations, home remodels, and additions. Usually, small projects like plug and switch replacements, light installations, or general troubleshooting will not require a permit.

The bottom line is that the need for a permit will vary; to ensure you follow all legal regulations, we suggest speaking with one of our certified electricians before getting started with your next electrical project.

CAN’T I JUST DO THE PROJECT MYSELF?

As dangerously fun as it would be to tear apart your home’s electrical system, federal law demands that an electrical contractor must be hired to complete any electrical work- individuals who break that law and perform work that results in any serious injury or death can face serious charges and up to $100,00 in fines. But legal compliance isn’t the only reason you shouldn’t take on an electrical project:

In a recent survey released by ABC News has found that 40% of homes have no safety switches on power circuits. This means that a large portion of Australian homes may have slight electrical malfunctions that are a result of dangerous underlying contributing factors. In the same survey, ABC stated that 300 Australians are hospitalized each year as a result of preventable accidents. Rather than doing an electrical project yourself to bypass costs or permitting, trust a licensed professional to ensure the safety of you and your family.

When it comes to electrical projects, there are dozens of benefits to working with a seasoned professional. Two of the most important reasons are the fact that a licensed electrician will ensure your project will be completed up to code and in a safe manner. All too often, people damage their homes or injure themselves doing electrical work without a license.

Permits are the way our government and building regulators ensure residential and commercial structures are serviced in a safe, legal manner. If you’re completing a large electrical project like a panel upgrade, hot tub installation, or adding an additional room to your house, it’s likely you’ll need to apply for an Australian building permit.

If you have any questions about whether or not you need an electrical permit, or would like to speak with an experienced electrician to get more detailed information, contact us today!

The kitchen is the heart of every home. As the place family members come together to eat and enjoy one another’s company, it’s no wonder kitchen renovations are one of the leading home upgrades done by homeowners today. Whether your renovation plans are intended to increase your home’s resale value, or simply to improve the ergonomics and appearance of your kitchen, don’t start your kitchen’s electrical renovation without considering these four incredible upgrades.

LIGHTING IS EVERYTHING

Even the largest kitchen space can seem dwarfed by a lack of lighting. If you’ve recently enlarged your kitchen, adding accent lighting in frequently used spaces such as over the stove, in major walkways, or over the kitchen table will bring a sense of warmth and openness to your home. Because of their high lumen output, affordability, and efficiency, recessed downlights are an excellent option for heavily travelled walkways and task-oriented areas such as the stove and countertops. Use 6” recessed down lights with reflectors for walkway areas, and 3-4” directional recessed down lights as an accent light over the stove and counter tops.

ADD DATA PORTS

On average, there are over 3 billion USB ports are shipped each year. In fact, it’s very likely that the device you are reading this on requires some sort of USB connection to charge. With USB cables becoming just as common as traditional electrical plugs, it’s no wonder USB data wiring has been suspected to become a staple of kitchen electrical systems over the next few years. Although it is unclear whether adding USB outlets to your kitchen’s electrical system will increase home value, the ability to plug in your phone, iPod, or other electrical device without an adapter will be extremely useful for many years to come.

DIMMERS

Although your kitchen’s lighting should be some of the brightest in your home, the ability to turn reduce light output can come in handy when you’ve had a long day, or are planning a romantic dinner for two. Wall dimmers can be paired with multiple bulb types, including LED and CFL; keep in mind, however, that a bulb must be dimmable in order to pair it with a dimmable wall switch. 

GFCI OUTLETS

 In 2014, the NEC declared that all residential outlets being replaced, installed, or renovated will be equipped with a GFCI outlet. GFCI outlets (officially known as ground fault circuit interrupters) are electrical safety devices used to prevent electrical fires from occurring due to tripping breakers or dysfunctional outlets. By updating your electrical outlets to GFCI circuits, you will dramatically improve the electrical safety of your home, which (depending on the housing market in your area) can increase the value of your home.
Whether you’re currently updating your home for personal pleasure, or to make it more presentable on the housing market, each of these electrical upgrades will improve your kitchen’s appearance, safety, and utility in their own way. Remember, however, that it is illegal (and not to mention unsafe) to perform your own electrical work in Australia. When the time comes to get started on any of these projects, contact your local licensed electrician to have the project completed safely