Is your business safe, secure and projected?

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If you’ve worked hard to start and then build a business, you’ll want to ensure that your business premises and staff are adequately protected from fire and theft.

Here at Dalec we provide a wide range of security and protection systems, with options suitable for business premises of all shapes and sizes.  As experienced electrical installers in Leeds, we know that business premises all have very different requirements and whether you own a shop, industrial site or office building, we can help.

Regardless of the size of type of business premises you have, we take an integrated approach to all projects and will work hard to find the ideal electronic and physical solution for you.  We have the expertise to install a wide range of systems, either as a ‘stand-alone’ project or as a number of different systems, designed to provide comprehensive protection. From intruder alarms, CCTV surveillance equipment and access control systems, through to fire and smoke protection, we can help.

We understand that finding the ideal security and protection system for your business can prove to be a daunting and costly prospect.  We’ll take time to find out as much as we can about your business and your requirements to enable us to provide a solution that suits your needs and your pocket.

If you would like to find out more about our security services for businesses in Leeds, why not get in touch?  We’d be happy to provide you with free, no-obligation advice at a time to suit you.

 

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What is home automation?

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The term ‘home automation’ is something that you’re likely to hear more of in the near future and because technology is cheaper and more accessible than ever before, the automated home is becoming a reality rather than the stuff of science fiction.

Although we haven’t reached the stage yet where robots are cleaning our homes, there are lots of ways in which technology can make life a whole lot easier.  But what is home automation?  Also often referred to as a smart home or an intelligent home, home automation is used to refer to systems that are designed to make life safer and easier.  Home automation can help with anything from the locks on your doors, through to controlling central heating and lighting.

Home automation can carry out a wide range of tasks including the remote opening of curtains and blinds, switching appliances on and off, turning lights off or on automatically at dawn and dusk, fingerprint recognition door locks and fire or carbon monoxide alarms that are designed to trigger alarms.

A number of automated products have been around for some now, such as dawn until dusk lighting and delay timers designed to be used with lighting and audio-visual appliances.  Here at Dalec we have many years of experience in electrical installations in Leeds and if you would like information on home automation, why not get in touch with us today?

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The importance of electrical safety in rental properties

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More and more of us are renting rather than buying property and whilst living somewhere as a tenant can make life easier when it comes to household repairs and improvements, the importance of electrical safety is still incredibly important.

Whether you are tenant or a landlord, the importance of electrical safety is something that cannot be overlooked.  Electricity is incredibly dangerous and when you consider that around 30 deaths are recorded in the UK as a direct result of electricity, understanding the importance of electrical safety in the home is vital for landlords and tenants alike.

Although most rental properties are generally well-maintained, unfortunately some fall far short of the required safety standards.  If you are considering renting a property you need to remember that it is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that the electrical systems and equipment are safe, well-maintained and of a high standard. In addition, your landlord should supply copies of the operating and safety instructions for any appliances or electrical systems within your property.

Electrical safety in rental properties is absolutely essential and if you would like further advice or information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.  Here at Dalec we are experienced, qualified electricians in Leeds and our services are available to landlords and residential customers alike.

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Transform outdoor spaces with garden lighting

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Garden lighting does so much more than simply provide illumination and getting the lighting in your garden right will emphasise the plants and help you create a lovely ambience for al fresco dining.  When used carefully, garden lighting offers the opportunity to see your garden in a whole new light.

Getting garden lighting just right requires a little forethought and planning.  Before you starting planning the design of your garden lighting, walk around your garden at dusk and try to view it from as many different angles as you can.  Think about how lighting could impact on different plants; plants with strong architectural shapes such as trees for example can look stunning when lit from behind.

It’s easier than ever before to be creative with garden lighting.  Decking or patio areas can be illuminated effectively by mini uplighters, whilst spotlights are ideal for illuminating garden features such as statues.

Lighting can also be used to illuminate water features which are best lit from above.  Underwater lighting is a great way to achieve a dramatic look but it’s very important to use lighting products which have been specially designed for this purpose.

Garden lighting must be low-voltage and creating a low-voltage system requires the installation of a transformer which should be fitted in an undercover location or inside waterproof housing.  This is not a job to tackle yourself though as it’s important that any cables are installed in safely and in the correct positions.

Here at Dalec we are qualified electricians with experience of installing lighting in a wide range of different locations and if you would like advice on installing lighting in your garden, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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How to use candles safely

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Flickering candle light is a great way to create a lovely relaxing atmosphere in the home or outside in the garden and with the long summer evenings on the way, you may be considering buying candles.

However, candles must be used safely and because they are known to be the cause of increasing numbers of house fires, candle safety is vital wherever you choose to use them.

Here at Dalec we are specialists in the installation of fire protection systems and our top-tips for candle safety are as follows:

  1. Never, ever place candles close to curtains, garden parasols, soft furnishings or fabrics of any description.
  2. Always place candles in a candle holder which has been especially designed for the purpose.
  3. Make sure candles are well out of reach of children and pets.
  4. TVs and other electrical equipment are not heat resistant and as such candles should never be placed upon them.
  5. Don’t move a candle whilst it’s burning.
  6. Last and by no means least, NEVER leave unattended whilst they are burning.  When you go to bed, double check that all candles have been properly extinguished as candles which have been put out can still smoulder and have the potential to start a fire.

We have the expertise to install fire protection systems to suit all budgets and requirements.  Whether you are interested in a simple smoke alarm or a full-scale fire protection system we can help – why not get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote?

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Is your kitchen safe?

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Although the kitchen is said to be the heart of the home, unfortunately many homeowners fail to realise just what a dangerous place a kitchen can be!  Faulty wiring and poorly installed appliances are the cause of around 50% of house fires every year and with this in mind, the importance of electrical safety in the kitchen should never be underestimated.

The range of kitchen appliances seems to grow year on year and it’s now possible to buy machines that can do anything from make ice cream and popcorn, through to high-tech steam ovens and warming drawers.  There’s no doubt that appliances can really take the hassle out of cooking and cleaning but they must be installed and used correctly if they are to be safe.

Counter top appliances such as toasters and kettles should be positioned within easy reach of the nearest plug socket and plug sockets should never be overloaded with lots of appliances plugged into one socket.  Even if you have the tiniest kitchen, plug sockets MUST be positioned as far away as possible from taps and any other sources of water.  It is also important to mention that small kitchen appliances should never be positioned under or near blinds or curtains.

All electrical installations have strict safety requirements and if you are moving into a new property or are having a new kitchen fitted, we can offer advice on whether your kitchen meets current safety standards.  Here at Dalec our expertise covers a wide range of electrical installations and we’re happy to provide a free, no-obligation quote at a time to suit you – why not get in touch for further information?

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Wall-mounted TV installation: call in the experts and get it right first time

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A huge range of state-of-the-art TVs are now widely available and more and more of us are choosing to install our TVs on the wall, rather than putting the TV on a table or cabinet.

A wall-mounted TV is not only a great way to free up space in your home, it also means that everyone in the room can get a good view, no matter where they’re sitting. However, installing a TV onto a wall isn’t as easy as it looks and as with all electrical installations, it’s really important to get it right from a safety point of view.

Here at Dalec we find ourselves installing increasing numbers of wall mounted TVs and many of the home owners we meet have tried to carry out the installation themselves but have found it too complicated.

The first thing to remember is that TVs are heavy and obviously the bigger the TV, the more it will weigh. Buying a TV wall-mounting kit from your local electrical store is something many people do, failing to realise just how difficult it can be to get the installation right.

At Dalec our team can offer advice on the best place to mount your TV, before we install it safely, ensuring that no unsightly wires, cables or sockets are visible. So if you’re considering in investing in a new, wall-mounted TV, why not get in touch with us first? We’re electrical installation specialists and our services are available to residential and business customers throughout Leeds – we’re happy to offer a free, no-obligation quote at a time to suit you.

 

 

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LED bulbs offer a lighting solution for the future

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LED light bulbs offer number of advantages over other bulbs.  An increasingly popular choice for residential and commercial buildings alike, it’s becoming evident that LED lighting is set to become the industry standard.

LED bulbs have the potential to last for more than 100,000 hours and to put this into perspective, that’s equivalent to more than 10 hours of continuous use.  In domestic environments LED bulbs are convenient but in locations where lighting cannot be replaced easily, this represents a significant benefit.

Although LED bulbs cost significantly more than others available, the enhanced lifespan of LEDs means that they are in fact a cheaper option in the long run.  It’s worth remembering that a single LED bulb will last for the same length of time as 10 halogen bulbs so it’s easy to see where savings can be made.

One of the main benefits of LED lighting is the low running costs.  One LED bulb has the power to produce light that is equivalent to an incandescent bulb of 100w but by using only a few Watts of electricity per hour, offering incredible savings on energy costs.

LED light bulbs produce very little heat which means that they aren’t warm to the touch unlike halogen or incandescent bulbs.  This makes LEDs very energy efficient and useful in locations where more traditional forms of lighting might be too dangerous or unsuitable.

Last and by no means least, LEDs are very eco-friendly as they do not contain any mercury and can be easily recycled without damage to the environment.  Not only are they cheaper in the long run and more reliable, but they make a great choice if concern for the environment is important to you.

If you would like advice on installing LED lighting in your home or business, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for further information.

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How energy efficient is your home?

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These days we take electricity for granted and very few of us stop to think about how much electricity we use on a daily basis.  From boiling the kettle to switching on a light or charging a mobile phone; it all adds up and because the price of electricity continues to rise, energy efficiency is something should all take more seriously.

Becoming more energy efficient will not only help you save money by reducing your electricity bills, a reduction in the amount of energy you use also means that fewer fossil fuels are burnt.  Fossil fuels are burnt in order to produce electricity and this in turn increases carbon emissions which have been linked to global warming.

The way in which electricity consumption is measured can be very confusing – working out how much electricity you’ve used by looking at your bill can prove almost impossible!  One of the best ways to keep tabs on how much electricity you use is to invest in an energy monitor.  These small portable gadgets are designed to tell you (almost in real-time) how much energy you are using, either in pounds and pence or in kilowatt hours.

There are many things you can do to reduce the cost of your energy bills.  Energy-efficient household appliances can prove to be very useful but there’s little point in splashing out on brand-new appliances unless it’s time to replace them.  Some energy-efficient appliances can be very expensive to buy so it’s important to take into consideration how much money you’ll save.  Or, if you want to try something radical, you could switch to one of the green electricity suppliers or even think about generating your own electricity.

Small changes though can make a big difference and as we’ve covered in previous posts, remembering to unplug your mobile phone charger once your phone is charged and turning the TV off at the mains at night, can all help.

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Running your own business? Do you understand your responsibilities for electrical safety?

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If you run your own business you are required by law to ensure that high standards are met when it comes to electrical safety.  In order to minimise the risk of injury or accidents, portable electrical equipment should be checked and maintained, however the majority of office equipment is very low-risk.  With this in mind, you may be wondering exactly what your obligations are.

Although computer equipment poses little risk, it must still be maintained to ensure that it is safe to use.  Portable appliance testing (PAT testing as it is often called) helps to ensure this and it’s important to remember that faulty or damaged equipment can cause burns, electric shocks or even start a fire.

The term ‘portable equipment’ covers a whole host of things and applies to any electrical equipment which can be moved whilst it is connected or disconnected from the mains power supply.  The majority of IT equipment falls into this category, as do toasters, vacuum cleaners, desk lamps, kettles etc.

It is your responsibility to ensure that all the computer equipment in your office is safe and this rule applies to employers, self-employed people and employees.  However, to complicate matters, the law doesn’t specify how frequently testing should take place.

It is not true that PAT testing should be carried out on annual basis as the frequency of testing depends on the type of equipment and where and how it is used plus how at risk it is of becoming damaged.

The electrical equipment used in the majority of low-risk offices such as offices, call centres or shops, for example, poses very little threat and these days the majority of computers, printers, scanners etc are supplied with pre-wired plugs and cables; this means that regular visual checks should be sufficient.

However, because some electrical equipment such as mobile phones, laptops or tablets are frequently plugged in and then unplugged again, this can mean that the power cable can become damaged.  Again visual checks should be carried out on a regular basis to ensure that this sort of equipment is safe to use.

Here at Dalec we are specialists in all aspects of electrical safety for business customers and if you would like further advice on electrical safety for your business, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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