A conservatory is a fantastic addition to any home and because they are cheaper and quicker to build than an extension, conservatories are becoming a very popular way to add additional space.

If you’re thinking about building a conservatory it’s important to remember that the wiring should be carried out by a qualified, reputable electrician.  Many homeowners don’t realise that it is now a legal requirement for any wiring to be carried out by a certified electrician and here at Dalec our team operate throughout Leeds and surrounding areas, providing high quality electrical services.

Our team always adhere to building regulations and we work hard to provide our clients with the highest standards of service at an affordable price.  The wiring in conservatories, including the installation of plug sockets and lighting, can be easy to overlook but to ensure that the wiring in your conservatory is carried out in accordance with the latest regulations; we recommend that you use a reputable company such as Dalec.

If you would like to find out more about our electrical services for homeowners in Leeds, or for a free, no-obligation quote, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Following on from last week’s post on the importance of protecting your home whilst you’re away, we thought we’d take the opportunity to remind business owners of just how vital an up-to-date, reliable security system can be.

Providing adequate security protection for a business or commercial premises poses a very different set of problems compared to a residential property.  Shops and offices are usually occupied throughout the year and are rarely left unoccupied for long periods of time.  However, business premises and shops are equally, if not more, susceptible to burglary or criminal damage.

When it comes to choosing a security system for a shop or business premises, a range of factors need to be taken into consideration.  The size and use of the building, the number of employees, who will require access and at what times of day the building is used will mean that the security system needs to be planned carefully.

Here at Dalec we are experts in security alarm installations for businesses across Leeds.  We know that protecting your business is vital and we’re happy to offer further advice – whether your business just has one or two employees or several hundred.

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?

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.

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?