Hey! Matt & Pat here.
If you live in an older home, you may be surprised at all the options available for light switches and powerpoints. They now come in designer colours and finishes. They can also include USB outlets and be smart if you’d like to begin automating your home. Some outlets even come with the option of flat or curved buttons. Discover what’s possible below.
Ku-ring-gai Electrical Service is committed to you and your family’s safety and comfort. Call us on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au to arrange your appointment.
Cheers,
Matt Cox & Pat Dobbs
Exploring high-fashion powerpoints and light switches
The days of white plastic light switches and powerpoints are over. Of course they’re still available. But let’s face it, they can stand out on a blank wall. With home automation becoming more prevalent, light switches and powerpoints are becoming smart and very fashion conscious.
We love working with the Clipsal range. They are well made and safe. They’re also very cool - offering a variety of styles and colours as well as configurations. For example, you can add dimmer switches, LED indicators and sockets for USB charging.
Function meets Fashion
If you want your wall colour, light switches and powerpoints to colour coordinate, the Clipsal Iconic range offers interchangeable faces (they call them skins). That means you can change the look of your switches and powerpoints every time you paint the wall or change your kitchen splashback.
In fact, light switches and powerpoints are so fashion conscious, the Clipsal website offers styling advice.
If you love decorating your home or are planning a renovation, the Clipsal Find My Style tool is pretty cool. You can choose your wall colour from their pre-loaded colours or upload a photo of your wall. Then you simply scroll through your options to see which switch and socket skin will coordinate best with your wall colour.
“Super Sexy Switches” – well that’s what Matt thinks!
Clipsal offers lots of options. But from our perspective, nothing beats the Saturn Zen range. They are sleek, minimalist and “Super Sexy”, according to Matt.
This range uses LED push buttons so you have the choice of using the LED light to help you find the switch in the dark. OR, for outdoor and garage lights, you can use the LED light to indicate if the light is on.
For places like kitchens and bathrooms where it’s common to have multi-gang switches, the Zen range offers really cool pictogram icons so you can instantly know which switch to use. Like everything else, they are interchangeable so if your switch changes, you can change the icon.
For advice or to upgrade your light switches and powerpoints, call us on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au
Christmas is coming!
The patter of reindeer hooves will be here before we know it so now is the best time to book us in to help you with your pre-Christmas electrical projects.
We hate to disappoint our customers, so please get in touch now to make your pre-Christmas booking, while we still have times available. Contact us on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au
Service Promise
We have 4 key service promises. Here’s one of them – We always use top quality materials.
If you’ve ever received multiple quotes for the same electrical work, you may have found a huge difference in the price. The problem with the lower quotes could be the electrician is cutting costs by using cheaper materials.
At Ku-ring-gai Electrical Service, we’ll only use top quality materials that meet Australian Standards because we care about your safety. In addition, you’ll find we are moderately priced if you choose to shop around.
Sonos sound systems are amazing. They provide brilliant sound that’s controlled with an App on your phone. The system works with any of your favourite streaming services such as Spotify, Audible, Apple Music, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and heaps more.
It will also stream music straight from your smart phone and can be used by your TV, home theatre system or turntable.
With the Sonos App, you can control speakers located anywhere in your home, garage or office and there is now a rechargeable, portable speaker that can be used outside.
While the Sonos system works via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, all the components need powerpoints and that’s where we come in.
Whether you want to mount your speakers high on the wall or hide your sound bar and amplifier in a cupboard, we can help you. For advice or to make an appointment, call 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au
If you’re planning a party or two this summer, you’ll want your sound system set up just right so get in touch.
With the drought well entrenched, many Sydney-siders are looking at rainwater harvesting to help their gardens survive over summer and to top up their swimming pool water.
While we can’t install rainwater tanks, we can assist with the installation of outdoor powerpoints for the pump that will take the tank water to where you need it.
We can also install outdoor powerpoints for your irrigation system and to power your outdoor Christmas decorations. While we’re talking outdoor power, don’t forget your power requirements in the garage or garden shed.
For all your electrical requirements, contact the team on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au
World Sight Day began in 2000 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment. This year, the theme is focusing on eye health and vision care.
In our work, we often see people struggling to see clearly in their homes – even with regular eye checks. Fortunately, the solution could be as simple as converting older light fittings to LED versions.
LED globes reach full brightness instantly while using about 85% less energy than halogen or incandescent lights.
LED globes will last between 15,000 – 50,000 hours (depending on the globe) which is much longer than halogen globes (1000 – 5000 hours) and old incandescent globes (approx. 1000 hours).
For multi-purpose rooms, where homework and crafts make way for cosy entertaining, choose a cool white LED globe and ask us to fit dimmer switches.
For advice on your lighting options or for help to install new light fittings, call us on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au
We have 4 key service promises. Here’s one of them – We’re problem solvers.
We will happily do the electrical work for new builds and renovations. But when it comes to adding or changing light fittings, powerpoints or switches to existing homes, it can get a little tricky. We love the challenge of finding innovative ways to achieve what you want and make it look great.
Get in touch for all your home or office wiring needs. Contact Ku-ring-gai Electrical on 0418 442 578 or info@kuring.com.au
4 Top gadgets for a user-friendly bathroom
It may not be the first room you think of when it comes to quality time at home but your bathroom is the happening place for personal hygiene and grooming.
Here’s a few tips to amp up your user experience:
Bathroom lighting
How about a heat, light & fan combo?
Heat, light and fan combos are a great option for bathrooms – especially in units where there often isn’t any ceiling space to accommodate an exhaust fan.
A great new product on the market is the Rapid Response by Fantech. It features a stylish, contemporary round or square design with the LED light positioned in the centre of the grille.
The light can be controlled separately to the fan and they come in a choice of black, white or silver to suit your décor. They are also relatively quick and easy to install and well worth considering.
Exhaust Fans
You’ll need one of these anywhere that gets damp or steamy like your bathroom or in an internal laundry if you have a clothes drier. Internal powder rooms are another area that can be difficult to ventilate properly.
Fantech has a model designed especially for ventilating tricky areas. The ceiling-mounted exhaust fan draws fresh air from under the door cavity while stale air is removed.
There are lots of exhaust fan options available to suit your needs – including units with a light and exhaust fan in one. We can help you choose the right exhaust fan for your bathroom, powder room or laundry.
We also replace existing fans when they break down or become noisy. It’s usually a simple process. So if your exhaust fan has seen better days, contact us on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au to get started.
Heated Towel Rails
Don’t forget your towels – there’s something comforting about stepping out of a hot shower and wrapping up in a warm towel.
These days, heated towel rails are very economical to run. Some models are safe to install in or near your shower, so you can grab your towel before you begin to drip dry.
They come in a range of sizes to suit most bathrooms – even compact ones. We can help you find a perfect fit for your bathroom.
We have the answers.
Blue-tooth technology was expected to reduce the tangle of cables connecting our computers and printers, our home theatre systems and our phones. But as we visit our customers’ homes and offices, we still see tangled cords and cables as well as an array of devices competing to recharge at power outlets.
The volumes are staggering!
At last year’s Innovation Summit, Ben Green, Schneider Electric’s Director of Smart Home Spaces, announced Australian homes currently have an average of 17 connected devices. They include smartphones, tablets, watches, home theatre and sound systems, TVs, Fitbits, smart speakers, refrigerators and home energy usage monitors.
This astounding figure is expected to rise to 37 connected devices per household by 2022.
It’s a similar situation in the average office. In 2017 Small Business Trends reported the average employee uses 2.3 devices to complete work plus they’ll carry their own personal devices as well.
There is often a work smartphone, a private smartphone, a desktop or laptop computer and maybe a tablet as well. Plus a printer and possibly a VOIP desk phone.
No wonder there are cords and cables lying around everywhere!
There are dangers to this overload of technology, and we’re not talking about potential trip hazards – although they are important. Tangled cords can cause other problems too but there are solutions. Here’s what you need to know.
The electrical dangers of unruly power cords and cables
The solution
There are all sorts of ways we can solve these problems for you. For example:
Clipsal USB Chargers come in a variety of configurations from a single powerpoint and USB plug to a 3 Gang USB Charging Station. They are easy to install in bedrooms, kitchens and offices – in fact anywhere that is away from a heat source (like a microwave or kettle). When retro-fitting, all we need is an existing powerpoint.
If tangled power cords and device recharging cables are getting you down, we can fix it. Simply get in touch by calling 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au
Show us your cables!
Do you have the worst tangle of power cords and cables in Sydney?
If you do, we want to see it.
Just send in your messiest cable photo and if we think it’s the worst in Sydney, we’ll help you by installing a USB powerpoint for free.
Don’t be embarrassed. We’re here to help.
To enter, simply send your photo to info@kuring.com.au before 30 September along with your name and best contact phone number. The winner will be notified and a time arranged to come to your home or office.
Good luck.
Service Promise
We have 4 key service promises. Here’s one of them – We value your time.
Life’s busy and we understand how difficult it can be to wait around for a tradie so this is what we promise you:
We think there are 4 important reasons why you should continue to choose the Ku-ring-gai Electrical team for all your home and office wiring needs.
Reason #1: We always use top quality materials
If you’ve ever received multiple quotes for the same electrical work, you may have found a huge difference in the price. The problem with the lower quotes could be the electrician is cutting costs by using cheaper materials.
At Ku-ring-gai Electrical Service, we’ll only use top quality materials that meet Australian Standards because we care about your safety. In addition, you’ll find we are moderately priced if you choose to shop around.
Reason #2: We’re problem solvers
We will happily do the electrical work for new builds and renovations. But when it comes to adding or changing light fittings, powerpoints or switches to existing homes, it can get a little tricky. But we love the challenge of finding innovative ways to achieve what you want and make it look great.
Reason #3: We’re perfectionists
Whatever work we do for you, we guarantee it will always:
And we will stay at your home or office until it meets our exacting standards.
Reason #4: We value your time
With many trades, you need to be available so they can quote and then they’ll come back another day to do the work. But we understand you have a busy life. So when we come to give you a quote, we’ll also stay to do the work if you’d like to proceed.
There’s no obligation and no cost if you choose not to proceed or need some thinking time. It’s all part of our service.
So next time a friend or family member is talking about getting some electrical work done, please tell them about us.
For all your home or office wiring needs, contact Ku-ring-gai Electrical on 0418 442 578 or info@kuring.com.au
Asking us for a second opinion could save you $000s
Changes in technology can sneak up on you and it’s certainly the case with construction techniques. Some of our clients will remember when brick deliveries were unloaded by hand or roof tiles were thrown up to the tiler, who would stand on the roof.
It’s the constant changes in electrical technology that excites us about our work. But when it comes to finding the cause of an electrical problem, older houses can be challenging.
We recently helped a new customer with a mysterious electrical problem. Their external lights were tripping the safety switch and cutting the power. They’d had a couple of electricians come out to investigate and were told they needed to rewire their home. It was going to cost them thousands.
It pays to get a second opinion
The Ku-ring-gai Electrical team spent a few hours thoroughly investigating their home. The problem wasn’t obvious but we persevered until we worked it out. Turns out, the lights were incorrectly installed and were filling with water. This was causing a short circuit.
Importantly, rewiring their home wouldn’t solve the problem because the lights would still fill with water and trip the safety switch.
Instead, all our customer needed was new external lights installed properly by our team. In this case, we were able to save the client thousands of dollars and fix the problem.
Experience counts
Ku-ring-gai Electrical Service has been taking care of Sydney homes for over 40 years. While Matt and Pat are more recent members of the team, they have worked on homes built in the 1800s right through to now. It’s this experience that has made them experts in the quirks of older homes and specialists in problem wiring.
