Today’s post we’re going to be discussing the importance of smoke alarms. Smoke alarms can save lives, and because we’ve worked with electrics and the dangers of fire for so many years as electricians in Edinburgh we know what we’re talking about. We’re hoping that by the time you’ve read this you’ll be more knowledgeable and more aware of how important it is to have a smoke alarm installed in your home.
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What can you do to keep yourself safe at home with electrics? Accidents can happen quickly and can result in a hospital visit or worse, so with this in mind we’ve come up with some electrical safety advice for all the family and we hope you find it of use.
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When it’s time to replace your heating system, when is the best time to do it? If you’re planning on changing it and you’re not entirely sure when to do this, then today’s post should help.
You may find this surprising, but summer is the best time of year to change your heating system. The reason for this is because, as you can imagine, there’s a lot of disruption involved so summer is better. During the winter, you’re not going to want disruption in your heating supply. You’ll want it to be warm and cosy exactly when you need it, and changing from one system to another is going to mean switching your heating off for a time.
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As successful electricians in Edinburgh we know how stressful rewiring is for many customers. We know that it can be quite chaotic and a little messy. We really empathise, and we always make sure we create as minimal a mess as possible, always clearing up after we’re done. Because we know from experience how daunting customers find house rewiring, we’ve dedicated a post to this very topic, so we can help you prepare as much as you can before you go through it yourself.
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Why would you choose to use LED lighting instead of conventional lighting? We’re going to be discussing this in today’s post, because we believe that LED lighting is by far the better option, and we’re going to spend some time explaining why.
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Today we’re going to be talking about the services we offer to landlords. It’s a bespoke service to clients who own property they rent out, and each service we provide is something we’re all trained and qualified to do. What you get with VC Electrical is a suite of landlord services that give you peace of mind so you can focus on other aspects of your property business. Read on to find out which services we can offer you as a landlord.
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As you may be aware, energy prices are on the rise, so what can you do to save on energy and keep your wallet healthy? Today we’re going to be talking about energy saving tips – from our expert electricians in Edinburgh. We hope you find what we’ve put down here of use.
Bulbs
If you’re still using the old bulbs because they seem brighter, give up on these. They don’t last as long as energy saving bulbs and they’re more expensive in the long run, even if they’re costing you less per bulb right now. Think about how many times you’ve had to replace them. On the other hand, an energy saving bulb uses much less energy, around 80% less but produces the same amount of light. And you can get them just as bright now as the more conventional ones you’ve been using. They reduce energy costs and you could save over £50 a year as a result, because they last so much longer.
Do you really need to use a tumble dryer?
They use a lot of electricity to dry your clothes, and it’s cheaper to use a clothes horse or washing line. If do you think that a tumble dryer is an essential item in your home, then always make sure it’s full but never overload it.
Dishwashers
Could also do with being full and not half empty. The fuller it is (but obviously without overloading it), then the less times you’ll need to use it, and you’ll save on energy.
Washing Machines
Try a 30c wash instead of a 90-100c one. You’ll save energy when you wash at a lower temperature.
Kettles
These should never be over full but only boil the water you need to make a cup of coffee or tea, whether it’s for one or two.
Energy Ratings
If you’re buying new appliances, always look for the energy rating. If you’re buying second hand white goods, always check this. If it’s an old one, the appliance you think you’re saving money on could be less energy efficient and that could cost you more money in the long-run. You can also save money on energy bills by simply switching off your appliances when not in use. Use more energy saving appliances and if you can, insulate your home properly if it isn’t, that way you’ll also save money too.
If you have any questions on what we’ve discussed today, give us a call here at VC Electrical. We’re fully trained and qualified electricians and one of our team will be more than happy to help you.
We’re going to be taking a look at whether or not your house needs rewiring to help you identify the signs so that you can avoid an accident or damage to your home. Often before moving into a new home a full rewire is carried out as part of an upgrade. This is usually considered a safe option if you’re moving into a new home with an older system. If you’re thinking of doing this make sure you use a fully qualified electrician who is registered.
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What makes a good electrician in Edinburgh is what would make a good electrician anywhere else in the UK. We’re going to be looking at some of the things you need to look out for when hiring an electrician, that way you can avoid making the common mistakes some people often make.
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What are the benefits of electric heating systems? This is something we are going to be exploring in today’s post. We believe that a source of electrical heating has great benefits for homeowners, but read on to discover more.
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Outdoor lighting will be for two purposes in the main, to create ambience and a bit of welcome light for guests, and for a little security. The latter will light up the area outside your door or gardens, both front and back, allowing you to have a clear view of visitors to your property.
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What can you do to make sure your pets are safe around electricity? It’s important that you provide a safe environment for you pets, and that includes making sure that gas and electric appliances are not a danger to them when they’re around. Our electricians tips will focus on electric appliances and what you can do to make sure your pets are safe from harm when they’re in the home.
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Sometimes from time to time, we may need to use electrical appliances in the garden, and with this in mind, it comes as no surprise that in actual fact, there are all sorts of hidden dangers lurking there.
We know that using electrical equipment outdoors is quick and convenient but because of bad weather it can sometimes be dangerous. Of course, water and electricity are poor bed fellows and we all know how important it is not to mix the two.
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If you’re looking to save money on utility bills, the place to start is looking for areas in your home where you can save energy. There are a number of things you can do, from reducing the amount of heating you use to keep your home warm, to improving the insulation of your property, and even using energy saving appliances. It’s just a matter of being clever with what you use in your home and how you use it.
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As you can imagine, the elderly are extremely vulnerable and electrical accidents naturally pose a greater risk to them in many cases. Often, the homes of the elderly are in a state of disrepair and lack modern facilities. If they don’t meet certain safety standards, then the whole house can be a danger zone.
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If you live in rented property you’re at the mercy of the landlords and if they’re not up to the job of making sure you’re safe in terms of gas and electric, then you’re in trouble. You could be at risk of being involved in an accident at any time, so you need to make sure your landlords are doing everything they can to ensure your safety. In this post, we’re going to be looking at electrical safety advice, so it’s useful to a tenant and if you’re a landlord.
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By making sure you have a reliable burglar alarm, you could save yourself money and distress of having your home broken into. Nobody wants to go through the stress of having to deal with a burglary, so by making sure your home is secure, this type of break in can be avoided.
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CCTV cameras act as a deterrent as well as helping you to capture footage of would-be criminals who venture on to your property. They can range from simple security systems to more sophisticated technology, and if you run a business, it's crucial you invest in some good quality CCTV equipment. Today in this post, we're going to be taking a look at the benefits of having CCTV cameras on your property and why its important.
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EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report and its a periodic electrical inspection of your property to make sure everything is working as it should. It examines all electrical installations, reporting any faults that need to be rectified. This report is governed by the British Standard 7671 and this must be adhered to while the inspection is being carried out.
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Once you've finished with an electrical appliance do you find yourself wondering how to dispose of it? It is a bit of a minefield, because you know it's probably not a good idea to put it in your bin as it will end up on a landfill site. That's not good. An electrical appliance decomposes on a landfill site over time, it can contaminate the soil and water.
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