<![CDATA[Sparks Fly Electrical - BLOG]]>Mon, 07 May 2018 23:09:28 +1000Weebly<![CDATA[Storm and blackout tips in Canberra]]>Thu, 25 May 2017 19:53:42 GMThttp://www.sparksflyelectrical.com.au/blog/storm-and-blackout-tips-in-canberraPicture
With winter on the way in Canberra, now is the perfect time to discuss tips for blackouts which tend to occur during storms and wild weather.
 
First thing first, have a few torches around that are easy to get to and try and have them all use the same batteries. This way you only have to stock up on one type and they are interchangeable.
 
When the lights go out it’s a good idea to first determine whether you are faced with a blackout or whether you have an issue with a lighting circuit in your house. To figure this out you can check:
​
  • your switchboard – if something has switched off at the switchboard, try turning it back on. If it trips again straight away, this usually means you do have power, but something is wrong. Do not keep trying to turn the switch back on as you could make matters worse. You will need to call an electrician.
  • if you still have power to some parts of your house – if you do then you can be pretty sure the problem is specific to your property or if you have a three phase installation that only one phase of power is out.
  • your neighbours homes (don’t forget to actually physically check on any neighbours that are elderly or might need extra help if the blackout is throughout your area).
 
Blackouts in a lighting storm highlight the importance of having an up to date switchboard with surge protection. Circuit breakers and Residual Current Devices (RCD) protect your power system when there are faulty conditions and so prevent fires or electrocution, and surge protectors can save your electronic equipment if there is a lightning strike down the line. An up to date switchboard also makes finding faults in an emergency that little bit easier.
 
Handy general advice
  • Don’t open your fridge or freezer – if you’ve ever needed an excuse for a takeaway night, this is it. Once you open your fridge or freezer cold air starts to escape and if the power doesn’t come on quickly you’ve decreased the amount of time that your food will stay cool and safe. As a rule of thumb:
    • A full freezer will last up to 48 hours, a half-full freezer will last up to 24 hours
    • Refrigerator time will vary although the amount of food you have will affect how long it lasts. More food – longer time.
  • Remember your phone will eventually go flat. You can use your car for a power source to charge small items. But if this is not an option save your battery for emergency use only and resist the urge to ride out the blackout with a binge Netflix session.
  • You won’t have Wi-Fi. Don’t worry, it will be back. This isn’t the apocalypse.
  • Be patient. If a blackout is affecting a lot of homes it will be hard to contact emergency services, the electric company and electricians. In Canberra ACTEW usually responds to blackouts very quickly.
  • Turn off your sensitive electrical appliances and unplug them. This will reduce the initial demand when the power is restored, but also prevents surges and fried electronics should a lighting strike occur and you do not have the proper surge protection in your board.
  • Leave at least one light on. This will alert you went the power returns.
 
As a final hint, and a task that you can undertake now to get ready for storm season, a common cause for lights going out during a storm is outside lighting becoming flooded because of blocked gutters. The gutter fills up and floods back into the eaves. This is preventable by having your gutters cleaned regularly. 
]]><![CDATA[Canberra electrical apprenticeships]]>Thu, 11 May 2017 21:21:52 GMThttp://www.sparksflyelectrical.com.au/blog/canberra-electrical-apprenticeshipsWe get many calls and emails from young (and not-so-young) people who want to become electricians. This always motivates me as it’s great to chat to others who are passionate about learning hands-on skills and ensuring Canberra homes are safe and operating in-line with the rules and regulations of our industry. I also enjoy speaking to those who are passionate about the softer side of being an electrician – the part where you help people create the homes they dream about.
 
Becoming an electrician can seem daunting at first so I’ve pulled together a few tips.

  • To become an electrician you will need to complete an apprenticeship. You will undertake formal learning through CIT as part of this apprenticeship and you will be able to negotiate time to do this with your employer.
  • To gain an apprenticeship you will need to contact licenced electricians and ask them to take you on as an apprentice. I highly recommend that you think through the approach you make to potential employers. If you will be sending emails, check for typos and attach a CV. If you will be making phone calls, introduce yourself clearly and set out what you are seeking (an apprenticeship) and why.
  • Once you have an apprenticeship your conditions will be protected by legislation like any other employee. If you are unsure about anything that is being asked of you, your pay rate, or any conditions being imposed on you, don’t be afraid to contact the Fair Work Commission. 
  • Once you have completed your apprenticeship you will need to apply for your licence.
 
As a general bit of advice, I recommend this job to those who enjoy maths and who has patience! There are some days when you will only fault find and this requires the type of mind that won’t let go of a puzzle until it is solved. You will also need to be physically fit and capable of getting stuck into the occasional dirty job (ceiling spaces aren’t known for their cleanliness!).
 
A wonderful organisation to check out is the National Electrical and Communications Association. Their website has a lot of information and membership offers many benefits to those in the industry including, of particular interest to those seeking an apprenticeship, networking opportunities.]]><![CDATA[Lighting in the Canberra Wesley Music Centre]]>Thu, 27 Apr 2017 23:52:11 GMThttp://www.sparksflyelectrical.com.au/blog/lighting-in-the-canberra-wesley-music-centrePicture
We have been working with the Wesley Music Centre for a few years now providing ongoing maintenance services. You would be surprised what it takes to make sure everything is running smoothly before big events. In a space like this, often a lot of thought has been given to the acoustics with the lighting coming in at a close second place. Lighting is so important though to highlight the amazing talent that musicians bring to concerts – both to show the details of the instrument itself and also the skill of the musician.

Generally, a combination of flood lights, strip lights and scoop lights are used in a concert space. This provides flexibility to show different elements of the concert to the audience as appropriate.

The Wesley Music Centre itself is a fantastic space. Around 120 concerts or public musical events are hosted every year and organ concerts and orchestral events take place in the Wesley Church.

We learnt that the Wesley Music Centre runs an inexpensive Wednesday Lunchtime Live concert series from February to December. The Wesley Music Centre web site: www.wesleycanberra.org.au/music has a calendar of events or you can check out their Facebook page here.

We note there is also a “Friends of Wesley Music” which raises funds through public events. According to the website, the Friends of Wesley Music receive regular information on future activities and are entitled to an additional discount on tickets to concerts and other music events organised or sponsored by the Foundation.

Wesley is one of a few places in Canberra that support local and international artists in this capacity and it is really worth a visit.

We hope to see you there.
]]><![CDATA[Inside Out magazine review]]>Thu, 19 Jan 2017 21:49:39 GMThttp://www.sparksflyelectrical.com.au/blog/january-20th-2017Picture
Today we’re reviewing the magazine Inside Out, January 2017 edition, Issue 143, a home magazine. The magazine is currently available at newsagents and has a website including a newsletter to sign up to. This is not an affiliated post, this review is simply to provide information to our readers.

The magazine has a great feel with plenty of attractive pictures of homes with a good range of decorating styles and things to add to your space. The feel is light and summery and the colours throughout are relatively muted and pretty.

The articles are well written and there is a focus on practical tips with things like a storage space article, products for pets, practical advice about holiday accommodation sites and some pretty delicious looking recipes.

When buying this magazine, we chose it because one of the cover stories is Bright Ideas: How to light up every part of your garden. The article discusses breaking your outdoor space into zones, mentioning: access lighting, feature lighting and entertainment areas. Different products are then shown for each of these zones including a nice selection that encompasses many styles. The article mentions the importance of planning ahead with outdoor lighting and this is a message that we here at Sparks Fly Electrical agree with wholeheartedly. Too often people leave outdoor lighting until too late and a lot of remedial work has to happen to achieve the look the client is after.

The only real negative we could find with this magazine was the number of ads but it wasn’t an excessive amount and all magazines have ads in the plenty these days so it is hardly worth noting.

Overall we give the magazine a thumbs up and recommend it to anyone who enjoys looking at gorgeous interiors and dreaming of your own home renovation plans.
]]><![CDATA[Canberra lighting decorator quizzes]]>Thu, 15 Dec 2016 22:06:53 GMThttp://www.sparksflyelectrical.com.au/blog/december-16th-2016Picture
Sometimes deciding which fittings and fixtures to use in your house can be the hardest part of any renovation or updating project. We’re so lucky here in Canberra to have some great retail outlets selling quality fittings and fixtures (shout out to Project Lighting for all your electrical needs!).
 
So in the spirit of all things fun at Christmas time we’ve compiled a list of quizzes to help you determine your decorating style. Once you know your style it is often a lot easier to make choices about what style and colour you should lean towards.
 
So here they are:

 
Of course, if these quizzes don’t prove to fix every issue you have with making a choice (and we can’t understand why that wouldn’t be the case – quizzes have been helping humanity for many years such as in 1995 when you had to choose between dating Brendan or Dylan from 90210…but we digress…) then we are, as always, very happy to discuss options and share with you our knowledge of what works and why.
 
Happy quizzing.
]]><![CDATA[Brightgreen electrical and lighting products in Canberra]]>Sat, 05 Nov 2016 03:42:43 GMThttp://www.sparksflyelectrical.com.au/blog/brightgreen-electrical-and-lighting-products-in-canberra
Did you know we are a trade partner with Brightgreen?

Brightgreen produces premium LED lighting to enhance homes and commercial spaces. With a team of engineers committed to user-driven design that improves customers’ quality of life with minimal impact to the environment, we believe they are a company worth partnering with.

Brightgreen are leaders in their field because they understand how lighting works. Their expertise comes through in their product range. For a look at some of their information, check out this page.

Brightgreen have just released over 20 new different products. This is exciting for anyone in the market for new lighting in their home or business in Canberra. Check out one of Brightgreen’s video’s here.
 
Here at Sparks Fly Electrical we are especially fans of Brightgreen’s LED series. We highly recommend taking a look at the Brightgreen website and product range. You can contact us at any time to find out more about installation of Brightgreen lighting in your space.
]]><![CDATA[Smoke alarms in Canberra]]>Thu, 27 Oct 2016 22:16:35 GMThttp://www.sparksflyelectrical.com.au/blog/smoke-alarms-in-canberraPicture
Recently the Queensland Government changed its laws surrounding smoke alarms. The new rules now say that photoelectric smoke alarms must be installed in all new Queensland homes (amongst other amendments).
 
So what are photoelectric smoke alarms? Basically, photoelectric smoke alarms 'see' the smoke by detecting visible particles of combustion. When smoke enters the test chamber, the alarm is triggered. These alarms detect smoky and smouldering fires best which is what most house fires are.
 
This can be contrasted with ionisation alarms that react to particles emitted in a fire setting off the alarm.
 
In January 2016, The Canberra Times reported that: “[a]n estimated $6 million went up in smoke in the ACT last financial year, the territory's firefighters said.” This figure is far too high, and it is important that we all take responsibility for installing the best smoke alarms available.
 
The ACT Emergency Services Agency website states that: “[w]e recommend that as your ionisation smoke alarm becomes faulty or nears its expiry date (usually ten years) you consider replacing it with a photoelectric smoke alarm.”
 
Sparks Fly Electrical can assist you to ensure you and your family are safe. We can source photoelectric smoke alarms, hard wire your smoke alarms, ensure each room has an alarm and interconnect alarms for maximum safety. We are offering a special this spring and summer to help homes become fire safe before the heat of summer hits. We will give you a 15% discount on the retail cost of your smoke alarms and a free safety check of your wiring and switchboard so you have complete piece of mind.
]]><![CDATA[Sparks Fly Electrical -  Best of Customer Service on Houzz]]>Sun, 14 Feb 2016 02:10:11 GMThttp://www.sparksflyelectrical.com.au/blog/sparks-fly-electrical-best-of-customer-service-on-houzzSparks Fly Electrical has won “Best Of Customer Service” on Houzz®, the leading platform for home renovation and design. We were chosen by the more than 35 million monthly unique users that make up the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, renovation and design industry professionals.​

The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in two categories: Design and Customer Service. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 35 million monthly users on Houzz, and includes architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most favoured. Customer Service honours are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2015. 

A “Best Of Houzz 2016” badge now appears on our profile, as a sign of our commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.

“Anyone building, renovating or decorating looks to Houzz for the most talented and service-oriented professionals”said Jason Chuck, Managing Director for Houzz Australia. “We’re so pleased to recognise Sparks Fly Electrical as one of our “Best Of Houzz” professionals, voted by our enormous community of homeowners and design enthusiasts from across Australia and more than one million businesses worldwide.”

Follow Sparks Fly Electrical on Houzz here.

About Houzz
Houzz is the leading platform for home renovation and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin, Sydney, Moscow and Tokyo. Houzz and the Houzz logo are registered trademarks of Houzz Inc. worldwide. For more information, visit houzz.com.au.]]><![CDATA[Achieving a Traditional style home in Canberra]]>Wed, 16 Dec 2015 04:45:02 GMThttp://www.sparksflyelectrical.com.au/blog/achieving-a-traditional-style-home-in-canberraPicture
Traditional interior decorating is synonymous with symmetrical elements and deep rich colours. A modern spin on this style usually sees older pieces of furniture mixed with newer features to ensure all the comforts we know and expect are incorporated.

Some of the most popular traditional styles are British Colonial, 18th century English, 19th century neoclassical and French country. Each of these styles has its own unique take on the traditional look. 

Some of the elements that are common to each of these styles are deep wood tones, architectural details, and elegant furnishings. By adding some of these to your home, even without an in depth understanding of the differences between the traditional styles, you are likely to achieve a traditional feel.

A lot of Canberra homes lack the architectural features, such a moldings, that really make this look stand out. As such, a modern spin can ensure this is still an achievable look. This means emphasising simplicity and symmetry and really thinking through comfort in the layout of rooms. Some other ways to do this include painting rooms a neutral colour and adding rich-toned timber furnishings as the centrepiece to a room. Upholstery in solid colours or with a subtle floral design can finish the look off. 

When it comes to lighting, the easiest way to achieve a traditional design look is by emphasising pairs of lights and including crystal chandeliers and some silver candlesticks. Antique lights are also often integrated although replica lights may be more affordable and easier to obtain. Lamps are also a good idea as both decorative and functional pieces as they will ensure rooms are inviting and relaxing – an important element of traditional design.

As always, at Sparks Fly Electrical we are very happy to discuss the look you want to achieve in your home.
]]><![CDATA[Canberra summer electricity prices]]>Mon, 30 Nov 2015 03:31:16 GMThttp://www.sparksflyelectrical.com.au/blog/canberra-summer-electricity-pricesPicture
Summer in Canberra can be a time of high electricity prices. Air conditioning, pool heating and second fridges can really add to the bills. If you have the money, installing solar is worth considering but what about the other tips you hear about? Are they worth the hassle? At Sparks Fly Electrical we believe they are, especially as they all add up to create less of an impact on the environment. So here's a round up:

-Turn off your appliances at the power-point. Remember, if there is still a little red light on then power is being used. Have you thought about remote switching so you have no need to reach behind your TV?

-Use your dishwasher on a shorter cycle and let your dishes air dry. 

-Replace your lights with something more energy efficient. We are always excited when customers decide to make the switch to LEDs. 

-Turn off your lights. This is obvious for when you’re not in the room, but consider if you need them when you are in the room too. Could you open the curtains instead? Have you thought about LED skylights? They are solar powered during the day but with the option of mains power at night. What about sensors or installing timers in the bathroom and toilet.

-Change thermostat settings so that your air conditioner isn't set quite as cool and your hot water isn't set quite as hot. 

-Don't use appliances when it's not necessary. Turn off the second fridge between parties and don't run the washing machine until you have a full load. If you do need to keep a second fridge running try to locate it somewhere cool rather than the stinking hot back shed. 

-Get rid of your kids. Ok this ones a joke but gosh they're energy wasters! If my wife and I got a dollar for every time we said "turn off the lights..." we'd have enough money to stop worrying about the electricity bill ;)

Happy summer Canberra!
]]>