Induction cooktops – cooking never felt so cool

Did you know the rings on an induction cooktop don’t heat up? You can wipe up a spill the moment it happens and neither you nor the cloth will risk getting scorched in the process! It’s one of the many features that set induction cooking apart from more traditional methods.

How can you cook without producing heat?

Traditional gas or electric stovetops rely on thermal induction, which means the burners provide the heat to cook your food.

An induction cooktop uses magnetic induction which creates an electro-magnetic field that generates energy around the glass surface. It vibrates the pan, causing your cookware to heat up - but not your cooktop. It remains cool unless you leave a hot pan sitting on it.

Apart from saving you time by heating food more quickly than other cooking methods, there are plenty of reasons to make the switch to an induction cooktop.

• Although induction cooktops use more power when you switch them on, your food will cook faster making them more economical to run.
• The element doesn’t get hot so it’s safer to use because you can’t accidently burn yourself while you’re cleaning or moving pots around the cooktop.
• If you switch on a ring, it won’t heat up until you place a pan on the surface – likewise, if you remove the pan, it will switch off.
• Food cooks super-fast on an induction cooktop. According to consumer advocacy group CHOICE, it’s the fastest way to cook. That means you can spend less time in the kitchen.
• If your kitchen style is contemporary, sleek and streamlined, an induction cooktop is ideal as it can sit flush with your kitchen benchtop.
• The smooth, flat glass surface is free from food traps making it a dream to clean and easy for you to maintain the pristine surface.
• Many models have an automatic cut-off switch if a pan has been left cooking for a prolonged period without any change in temperature. So, this is another safety feature to help prevent you from burning your food and your pan.

Induction cooktops use higher current draw than a standard cooktop. As a result, you’ll need a separate circuit in your switchboard. I can install this for you so have a chat with me before you head out to the appliance store.

Once you begin the process of choosing your induction cooktop, it’s a good idea to compare the features and make sure they’re compatible with your cooking style.

Another thing to be aware of is that your induction cooktop won’t work if you don’t use the right type of pan.

An easy way to check is to test whether a magnet will stick to the bottom of your pot or pan. If it won’t – you need to grab some new cookware – if it will, your existing cookware is compatible.

You can rely on Ku-ring-gai Electrical for all your home and office wiring needs. If you’re ready to take advantage of all the fantastic benefits of using an induction cooktop, call us on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au.

Don’t overload your office kitchen this winter!

In cold, dreary weather, people usually prefer hot, hearty food to combat the chill in the air. It’s likely your office sandwich press, toaster, microwave, kettle and even your fridge will be running hot. But you don’t want that to be the case literally … or things could get dangerous.

It’s best to avoid using power boards or extension cords that can overload your system. If the switch gets too hot, it can begin melting or sparking.

Of course, these things tend to happen when no one’s around, so if a fire breaks out, it can spread quickly which is not only extremely dangerous but expensive too.

An easy, cost-effective solution that will keep everyone and everything safe is to invest in a 4-gang power point. My team can assist with the installation, so get in touch today to talk about how you can avoid power overload in your workplace kitchen.

Can you believe we’re nearly halfway through 2018 already?

This month I’m giving you a heads up about some changes being introduced by the Wiring Rules Standard (AS/NZS 3000). If you’re having any new cabling fitted or switchboards installed or updated from June onwards, you’ll be affected.

Also, if you feel like you’re forever changing the batteries in your smoke detectors, I have a handy, energy-efficient solution for you to consider.

You can rely on Ku-ring-gai Electrical Services for all your home and office wiring needs. If you want an electrician who’s always on top of industry compliance issues and will never risk your family’s safety, call us on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au.

Cheers,

Matt Cox

New Wiring Rules improve safety

How safe is the cabling in your home or workplace? In Australia, the electrical industry is highly regulated. All electrical work is done by licenced electricians like me and my team which is why you can be confident it’s safe.

In June this year, the new Wiring Rules Standard (AS/NZS 3000) comes into effect. It includes revised mandatory requirements for work involving cabling and switchboards.

Cabling refers to wiring for your lights and powerpoints. These are the cables that are hidden in wall cavities and behind plasterboard, splashbacks or tiles in your home or office.

All new cabling must have special labelling to be compliant with the Standard. But don’t worry, there’s no other change, so your existing wiring is safe.

You can trust that all work done by Ku-ring-gai Electrical Services is compliant. We always stay up-to-date with state and federal legislation – just one more reason to choose us for your electrical work.

But, if you engage another electrician, remember to ask them about using cabling that complies with the new Standard from June onwards.

Other Changes

There are other changes which relate to updating existing switchboards or installing new ones. Existing switchboards contain individual circuits for items such as the fridge, oven, air conditioner, hot water system, lights and power.

Currently, switchboards often use one safety switch to protect multiple circuits. As a result, if there is a problem with one circuit in the switchboard it will trip the safety switch and turn everything off.

Under the new Standard, each circuit in the switchboard must now be protected by a safety switch as well as a circuit breaker. So, for example, a problem detected with your oven’s circuit will only trigger its safety switch, making it easier to identify where the problem is.

Electrical fires are often caused by faulty small appliances or animals chewing through cables. One option for added protection from electrical fires is a type of circuit breaker called an ARC Fault Detection Device (AFDD).

These circuit breakers are more sensitive, so detect a problem earlier and trip the safety switch before a fire starts. They are ideal for older homes or historic buildings where old wiring can catch fire quickly.

These devices also work well for buildings fitted with sprinkler systems like offices, art galleries or museums, where water can cause as much damage as fire.

If you’d like to know more about retro-fitting circuit breakers or installing new compliant switchboards or cabling to your home or office, get in touch.

Dreaming of fuss-free smoke detectors?

Smoke detectors save lives but obviously, they have to be working to be effective. That’s why you need to change the batteries regularly and make sure the detector is functioning properly.

If you feel changing the batteries every 6-12 months is a bit tedious or even wasteful, why not switch to a photoelectric smoke detector with a rechargeable lithium ion battery. They provide a set-and-forget option that, in my opinion, is also safer.

Having rechargeable batteries means you never need to change the battery. However, by law, you must replace the whole unit (that’s smoke detector and battery) every 10 years.

For complete peace of mind, you should still check your smoke alarms every month using the fitted test button.

If this sounds like a more appealing choice of smoke detector for your home or office, you can find out more by calling 0418 442 578 or emailing info@kuring.com.au.

Hi. I hope you had a wonderful Easter break.

With so many customers embracing apartment living, this month I’ve devoted the newsletter to sharing ideas and energy-saving tips for your apartment and common areas of your strata.

You can rely on Ku-ring-gai Electrical for all your home and office wiring needs. If you’d like some help call 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au.

Cheers,

Matt Cox

Enhancing apartment living

Customers often ask me if they can install air conditioning in their apartment. The short answer is ‘yes, you can’. But how you do it depends on the building.

The best place to start is with your strata manager or body corporate. They’ll let you know what’s possible and what isn’t, both practically and aesthetically.

In some strata complexes, the building may be unable to cope with the energy load from individual apartment air conditioning units. But there’s still a solution.

We can install an air conditioner that runs off your existing power circuit, which eliminates the need to affect the main switchboard. Some restrictions exist. For example, you can only install a small system to cool or heat one room.

Another consideration when you live in an apartment is whether you can access off-peak hot water. The good news is, we can help with this too.

If your water heater is located in your apartment, we can fit a timer that will turn it off at set times chosen by you. This will ensure you’re not paying for water to be heated when you don’t need it.

To explore your air conditioning or hot water heating options call 0418 442 578 or info@kuring.com.au 

3 ways to reduce your strata power bill

In recent years, the combination of higher electricity prices and greater awareness about climate change has made us all more conscious of our energy use.

This is particularly relevant in apartment buildings and office blocks where there are common areas that need lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation.

So, whether you live in a high-rise apartment or you run a business out of an office block, here are 3 tips to consider for reducing the power bills in your building.

1. Install energy-efficient light globes throughout the building
   According to Choice, some LED globes can last more than 8 years before they need replacing, based on five hours’ usage per day. The energy savings are significant which means your power bills will go down, cancelling out the cost of switching to energy-efficient globes.

One strata scheme I know had a common area lighting bill of over $25,000 per year. They looked at changing energy providers etc. but couldn’t reduce the bill. Eight years later, their power bill has decreased to under $9000 a year by gradually updating lights to more energy efficient versions and swapping to LED globes.

2. Attach motion sensors to infrequently used common areas
   Apartment buildings are required by law to have safety lighting throughout all common areas. However, there are some areas such as garbage rooms that do not require lighting 24/7.

If you fit motion sensors to these lights, it means they will automatically turn off after a period of time without movement – saving the whole strata scheme money. Motion sensors are also effective in the bathrooms of offices, warehouses and factories as they reduce unnecessary power usage but can easily be triggered to turn on when the door opens.
 

3. Ensure your building’s rubbish room has an energy efficient exhaust fan
   Taking your rubbish into an airless, stinky garbage room can be pretty unpleasant without an exhaust fan to remove odours and help with ventilation. But running it 24/7 can be costly. Installing an energy-efficient fan will help keep the air fresh and the power use down. 

The team at Ku-ring-gai Electrical can help you or your strata manager reduce common area power bills while ensuring your building remains compliant. Simply call 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au

Please share this newsletter by using the links below to post it on social media or forward it by email.

Don’t look now but the Easter bunny will be visiting you soon! It feels like we’ve only just finished Christmas, but Easter is early this year.

For many of us, Easter is a great time to take the family away. Unfortunately, popular holiday times are also popular with burglars and home break-ins.

This month I have a few security lighting suggestions to help deter unwanted visitors and give you peace of mind. You’ll also find information on how to make carrying keys a thing of the past.

You can rely on Ku-ring-gai Electrical for all your home and office wiring needs so call us on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au.

Cheers,

Matt Cox

Illuminating illusions for your empty home

If you’re like me, the excitement of going on holidays is always tempered by the worry of a break-in while we are away. Unfortunately, burglars are most active during popular holiday periods and are on the lookout for unattended homes.

Your home is less likely to attract the wrong kind of attention if you give the illusion your household routine is continuing, uninterrupted. It’s usual to get the mailbox emptied and the bins put in and out, but how your house looks at night is also important.

Thankfully, modern security lighting has come a long way from one lamp that comes on at the same time every night. Remember those? Their rigid routine was almost an advertisement that the house was empty.

Now it’s possible to set up a lighting routine that mirrors your everyday life. Here are some options to consider:

• Timers can be fitted to a range of lights, including the lights in your kitchen or bathroom. And they’re more flexible to use than they used to be. Even if you’re on holidays, you can set your household’s lights to go on and off to match your usual routine. So, there’s no reason for anyone to suspect you’re not at home.
• Bluetooth smart switches will operate your existing lights and are easy to install. That means you can use your smartphone or tablet to control the lighting at home - even when you’re kilometres away.
• If you have existing pathway and garden lights, they can be retro fitted with sensors that turn on when movement is detected. Intruders hate them!

Feeling safe at home is important too

• You can have sensor lights fitted outside that will come on in a sequence, as you walk. These are ideal for keeping you safe on stairways in apartment buildings or for illuminating dark garden paths. And of course, this means your lights are only on when they’re needed.
• Whether it’s day or night, it’s reassuring to know you can identify callers without opening the door. An intercom or video system lets you do that. If you integrate your system with an automatic gate, you can choose whether visitors enter your property at all. So, you’re in total control of your home security at all times.

Contact us for a security lighting review today. You can rely on Ku-ring-gai Electrical for all your home and office wiring needs.

Tired of late night arrivals – install a keypad

Have you thought how much easier and more secure your life could be with an electronic entry key pad? Whether you have family members that regularly lose their keys or you’ve become an Airbnb host, it might be time to ditch the keys.

Installing an electronic keypad takes the hassle out of key hand overs and means your guests don’t have to carry keys around with them. Once the keypad is in place, simply give new guests a unique code to enter the premises and then change the code after they leave.

For your own household, family members only need to remember a code and they’ll never be locked out again. If they forget it, you don’t have to rush to their rescue. You can give the code over the phone. Too easy!

Get in touch if you’d like more information.

Is it just me or did January fly by? Our first month back at work has been a busy one, so if we’ve visited your home or business lately, thank you for your support.

We want to keep giving you the same high level of service we’ve become known for, so we’re growing our team. In this newsletter, we’ve included a shout-out for a talented electrician. Please feel free to share this newsletter across your social networks, family and friends. It might attract a fabulous new member for our team.

So far, we’ve had some pretty hot weather. With another month of summer to go, it’s not over yet. We’ve included some advice for keeping your apartment cool when things heat up.

And if you got some new electronic gizmos for Christmas or in the New Year sales, you might be relieved to know we can help you set them up.

So, if you’d like some help keeping your unit cool or getting your new gadgets up and running, call Ku-ring-gai Electrical Service on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au.

Cheers,

Matt Cox

How to beat the heat in your apartment this summer

As we experience hotter summers and longer heat waves, more and more apartment owners are looking to install air conditioning. For some strata complexes, this is a problem because the building is unable to cope with the energy load.

But don’t despair. It is still possible to install air conditioning in your apartment without rewiring the main switchboard. We simply run it off your existing power circuit.

There are some restrictions. For example, you can only install a small system to cool a single room. But options like installing ceiling fans in other rooms can help you better manage the heat.

For more information or to discuss your options, contact us on 0418 442 578 or info@kuring.com.au

Is it time to get your new gadgets off the shelf and into your life?

Christmas presents and summer sales mean many households have new electronic gadgets to make life easier or just more fun. At my place, we can now play music in every room after I set up a Google Home device and connected it to my amplifier.

But not everyone’s lucky enough to be an electrician! Whether it’s Google Home or Apple TV, motorised projection screens or home cinema equipment, there are lots of gizmos to get your head around.

Of course, the ads assure you they’re all so easy to use – and mostly they are. But sometimes, you never get to find out because the set-up is just too complicated.

The good news is, we can help you get all your new devices out of their boxes and running smoothly. Get in touch if you’d prefer to spend time using your gadgets rather than battling to set them up or worse, watching them gather dust.

We can help you with:

• Setting up new electronic gadgets for your home or office
• Ethernet wiring and outlets for faster, more secure internet
• Wi-Fi extenders to boost your modem’s reach
• Network cabling and phone issues including extra points for internet outlets
• Data wiring for your home and office

You can rely on us to take care of your device and new wiring needs at home or the office. To make an appointment, contact Ku-ring-gai Electrical Service on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au

Seeking a new bright spark(ie) for our team!

We’re lucky to have so many loyal customers. But lately, we haven’t been able to attend to your home and office wiring needs as quickly as we’d like. So, we’re looking for another reliable, qualified and competent electrician to join our dedicated team.

Do you know someone who’d be a great fit? Please use the links below to forward this newsletter on or share it with your social media network – just in case they know the ideal person to join our team.