****************

When your blanket is not being used make sure you store as the manufacturer recommends. In the main:

•       Leave your blanket on the bed all year or place it flat on your spare bed

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electricians in Poole – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

•       Let the blanket cool down before folding

•       Loosely fold or roll your blanket in a plastic bag or towel and store it in a dry cool place

•       Don’t use any moth proofing chemicals

•       Don’t place any heavy items on top of your blanket while it is being stored

If you would like to discuss any aspect of your electrics call me or drop me a line at The Poole Electrician.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electricians in Poole – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

You should consider disposing of your blanket safely and buying a new one if it is more than 10 years old.

When purchasing, using, storing and disposing of your electric blanket it is recommended that you follow these simple steps

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electricians in Poole – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

Using your electric blanket

•       Do follow the manufacturer’s instructions before use

•       Do remember to keep the instructions in a safe place for future reference

•       Do examine your blanket regularly for signs of wear or damage

•       Do use your blankets only for the purposes the manufacturer intended them for i.e. over blankets must only be used above the occupant of the bed, under-blankets must only be put under the occupant.

•       Do check manufacturer’s instructions for suitability to wash your blanket

•       Do carry out a check of the blanket to ensure the blanket is intact with no signs of damage caused in transport when first purchased

•       If the fuse in the blanket 13 amp plug needs changing use a 3 amp BS 1362 fuse must be fitted

•       Don’t use the blanket whilst it is folded, rucked or creased

•       Don’t use a hot water bottle when using your electric blanket

•       Don’t touch the blanket with wet feet or hands

•       Don’t use the blanket when wet or damp

•       Don’t insert or use pins to hold the blanket in place on the bed

•       Don’t use under blankets on adjustable beds, or if used on an adjustable bed check that the blanket and cord do not become trapped or rucked for example in the hinges

•       Don’t use an electric blanket on the bed of an elderly or helpless person, an infant or someone who may have a condition that makes them susceptible to heat

•       Don’t allow the appliance to be used by young children unless the controls have been pre-set by a parent/carer or that you are satisfied that the child is able to use the appliance safely

•       Don’t allow anyone with a pacemaker fitted to use heated bedding for all night use

Visually Checking

Before putting your electric blanket on the bed to use over the winter months, take a few minutes to check that the blanket is safe for continued use. Replace your blanket if

•       Fabric is frayed or worn

•       There are scorch marks or burns, or discolouration areas can be seen on the fabric

•       Wires can be seen or are poking through the fabric

•       There is damage to the flexible cord between the supply plug and the control and/or the control to the blanket

•       The control is making a smell or buzzing sound when switched on or off.

•       The control fitted to the blanket is damaged or overheating

If you have any doubts about your blanket you should contact the manufacturer before using further to check with them that the blanket is safe for further use.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electricians in Poole – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563″

****************

It might appear there is little you can do to cut your electricity usage – few of would want to function without a fridge or washing machine but making energy-efficient choices when buying appliances can massively cut your electricity bills. 

A large chunk of the average annual electricity bill comes from domestic appliances which make up 47% of total domestic electricity consumption. There are plenty of ways to cut the costs. Cooking appliances account for 15% of the electricity bill, washing machines, tumble-dryers and dishwashers a further 14% while fridges and freezers account for 18%. Buying more energy efficient appliances could save you up to £200 per year!

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electricians in Poole – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

Most common kitchen appliances have an energy-efficiency rating. Washing machines and dishwashers are rated from A to G while cooling appliances (like fridges and freezers) are rated from A++ to G. The table below shows the approximate cost per year of appliances at the highest and lowest efficiency rating

Average Annual Cost (Approximate)

Kitchen Appliance Efficiency Rating

A++ A G

Fridge-Freezer £15 £25 £61

Dishwasher n/a £20 £46

Tumble Dryer n/a £20 £42

Washing Machine n/a £20 £41

A fridge-freezer can last over ten years. The saving between the highest and lowest rating over that period is £450 on average so it should be worth considering the better rated products. Other appliances can be expected to last over 7 years which again saves up to £210 over that period.

Some types of TV are more power hungry than others. A conventional TV is the most energy efficient, followed by LCD, with plasma being the least efficient. In addition generally the bigger your TV, the more power it consumes. This table shows the average cost for 5 hours viewing per day.

Type of TV Average Annual Cost (Approximate)

Plasma (42”) £85

LCD (32”) £52

Traditional (32”) £27

If you have any questions or would like a quotation call me or drop me a line at The Poole Electrician.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electricians in Poole – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

Wrongly selected, fitted or damaged 230 V outdoor lighting may cause a risk of electric shock which may result in injury or even death.
****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electricians in Poole – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************
For 230V garden lighting:

•       buy from a reputable retailer good quality electrical outdoor lighting equipment

•       make sure outdoor lighting fittings (luminaires) are weatherproof

•       make sure lighting fittings for water features are waterproof

•       have it installed by a competent electrician in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and the national safety standard for electrical installation work

•       check for broken or damaged light fittings, cables and connections

•       remove foliage and dirt from light fittings

If any faults are found, switch off the electrical supply immediately, and have them repaired by a registered installer.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of your electrics call me or drop me a line at The Poole Electrician.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electricians in Poole – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

Incorrectly installed or damaged 230 V electrical water pumps in garden ponds, may create a serious electric shock risk in and around the pond, resulting in injury or death. This is because the risk of electric shock is higher in the presence of water.

In the garden a 230 V electric water pump should be:

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electricians in Poole – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

•       good quality and be purchased from a reputable retailer

•       RCD protected and that at least every three months is tested by means of the integral test button

•       fitted in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions

•       used with cables that have protection against accidental damage

•       well maintained, including cables and any connections, and in good working order

•       isolated when carrying out pond cleaning.

If any defects are found, switch off the water pump’s electrical supply immediately and have the pump repaired by a competent electrician.

Damaged cables and connectors

To be safe cables and connections should be:

•       good quality and be purchased from a reputable retailer

•       suitable for use outdoors

•       suitable for the equipment used

•       free of damage and clean

•       only used in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions

•       switched off when cleaning the pond

•       securely fixed and located to prevent anyone tripping over the cable

•       routed to stop them being damaged such as being cut or stepped on

•       kept dry

Have the damaged items replaced and unplug from the electrical supply immediately if any damage is found. Always take care not to damage flexible cables and connectors.

If you have any questions or would like a quotation call me or drop me a line at The Poole Electrician.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electricians in Poole – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

A real risk of electric shock comes from electric hedge trimmers cutting through electric cables. In addition there is a risk of injury from touching the blades.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electricians in Poole – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

For Safety in the Garden:

•       go to a good supplier and buy a good quality hedge trimmer

•       follow manufacturers’ instructions closely

•       wear goggles and gloves to protect your eyes and hands

•       keep children well away from the hedge trimmer

•       in wet conditions do not cut hedges

•       ensure the socket is RCD protected

•       test the RCD using its test button unless you are certain that the RCD has been tested within the last 3 months

•       keep the hedge trimmer cable, connections and plug free from damage

•       keep both hands on the handles provided.

•       unplug your trimmer and wait until the cutting blades have finished moving before carrying out any maintenance such as cleaning hedge trimmings from the blades

If you would like to discuss any aspect of your electrics call me or drop me a line at The Poole Electrician.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electricians in Poole – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************
In domestic premises, all sockets outlets, which may be used for portable equipment outdoors, should be protected by an RCD ( a safety device that switches off the electricity automatically when it detects an earth fault) to provide protection against electric shock.

Sockets which are below worktops in the kitchen are normally considered to be not used for outdoor electrical equipment, and would hence not RCD protected. Sensitive RCD protection is not normally used on socket outlets intended for refrigerators and freezers.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electrician – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

This article is meant to help you to use electrical items safely outside and avoid electrical accidents. The risk of an electric shock causing serious injury or death, is greater outdoors than indoors, due to possible wet conditions and physical contact with the ground.

Residual Current Devices

An Residual Current Device(RCD) is a device that automatically switches off the electricity when it detects the cable shorts. Any socket that might be used for powering any portable electrical equipment that you will be using outside, should be RCD protected.

An RCD with a maximum rated residual operating current of 30 milliamperes (mA) should give you optimal protection. If your socket-outlet is not protected by an RCD, purchase a good quality plug-in RCD adaptor from a reputable dealer, as a temporary measure. The best option is to get a registered electrician to install RCD protection to all sockets that might be used for 230 V portable electrical equipment you will use outdoors.

Your RCDs need to be tested four times a year in line with a notice that should be located near them. This should involve pushing the red test button and ensuring that the RCD turns off the power supply immediately. Regular testing is important, to ensure correct operation of the RCD mechanism in the event of a fault.

Unwinding extension cable from the reel

When in use, extension cables that are coiled up on a reel can overheat, causing damage to the cable, which may in extreme cases result in fire. The risk of electric shocks from such extreme damage increases, which could prove to be fatal or cause injury.

An unwound cable reduces the risk of overheating and the risk of fire or electric shock.

Wet conditions

Do not use electrical equipment in areas that are being watered or when it is raining. The risk of injury, or even death, from electric shock are much higher in wet conditions, compared to the dry. The ground may also be more slippery in the wet which consequently increases the risk of accidents. In wet conditions electrical equipment may also suffer damage.

Using electrical equipment in the garden in dry conditions reduces the risk of an accident.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of your electrics call me or drop me a line at The Poole Electrician.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electrician – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

You must have noticed that if you leave your phone charger plugged in all the time it gets hot. If a charger feels warm when it’s plugged in without being attached to a device, it’s still converting energy. So unplug chargers when you’re not using them to save electricity and money.

Chargers are not huge energy consumers in their own right, but across the UK those left plugged in unnecessarily waste over £60m and are responsible for a quarter of a million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. If chargers for devices such as mobile phones and MP3 players were unplugged when not in use, the UK could save enough electricity each year to power 115,000 homes.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electrician – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

It costs less than a penny to charge a phone for eight hours, but unplugging when not in use is one of those changes that can make a big environmental impact if everyone does it. If you have a timer which only charges the phone for an hour overnight you will save over £10. This applies to laptops and MP3 palyers as well.

You could do your bit for the environment by using a wind-up charger. Costing less than £4 they work by winding the handle. In addition to saving energy they are excellent where you don’t have access to electricity. Just connect the cable to the mobile phone, wind the rotary charger, and watch the power flow back to the handset.

If you have any questions or would like a quotation call me or drop me a line at The Poole Electrician.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electrician – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************
You cannot save much energy just by changing cooking methods. Cooking uses a small fraction of the total household energy compared to cooling, heating and lighting. However there are a few easy ways to save energy when cooking which can also speed up the amount of time you spend over a hot stove.

Make sure you use the correct size saucepan for the cooker ring you are using to prevent heat loss, and when heating water in the stove only use the amount you actually need you are not wasting electricity unnecessarily to heat the extra water. You waste over 40 percent of the heat produced by the ring if you use a 6″” saucepan on an 8″” ring .

If you boil the water in the kettle first it will reduce the time the ring needs to be on to heat the water. Putting a lid on will also help it come to the boil quicker and hence requires less energy.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electrician – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

However nothing is as energy efficient for cooking as using a microwave. It uses one -third of the energy of your stove. Also think about using a pressure cooker, a slow cooker or a steamer all of which use less energy. A slow cooker cooks at a very low temperature for a long time and is a great way to save energy. Switch the cooker on before setting off for work and you will have a meal ready and waiting for you as you get home. A toaster is better for toast than a grill because the area to be heated is minimised and hence saves energy.

Only when absolutely necessary should you open the oven door. Every time you open the door the oven temperature drops by up to 30 degrees. Getting an oven with an oven light and a glass window in the door will let you check on your food without opening the door. Keep the glass in the oven door clean so you can easily look through it to check on the food rather than having to open the door and letting all the heat out.

If you use saucepans which have become blackened with heavy use, they absorb a lot of heat, reducing ring efficiency. You want them to remain shiny so they reflect heat up to the cookware. Similarly if the saucepan bottom is not flat it doesn’t come fully into contact with the ring and energy is wasted.

Finally save energy before you start by defrosting frozen foods in the refrigerator before cooking.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of your electrics call me or drop me a line at The Poole Electrician.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electrician – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

The number one top tip for saving money on your heating bill is simply to adjust your heating controls. So just turn your thermostat down. You could cut your heating bills by up to 10% and save around £65 per year by simply reducing your room temperature by 1°C. Set your heating and hot water to come on only when required rather than all the time if you have a programmer. During warmer weather either switch your central heating off all together or set it for the warmer weather.

It can be really efficient to set your heating to go off 30 minutes before you leave the house for work, and come back on again 30 minutes before you expect to return. On a similar line, putting on a jumper rather than dialling the thermostat up when it gets colder can be effective.

Add some loft insulation. Clear out those dusty boxes and give your loft an energy efficient makeover. If there isn’t any loft insulation there already, it could save you about £200 a year. You could also consider cavity wall insulation. Consider topping up your insulation if you have very little existing. The recommended minimum depth is 270mm.

****************

Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electrician – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563

****************

Is your water too hot? Try putting the thermostat on your hot water tank down to 60C which is comfortable for most people. This will save on your heating costs. Also a dripping hot water tap wastes energy and in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they’re fully turned off!

Check for draughts around windows and doors and close your curtains at dusk. This will stop heat escaping through the windows. Make sure curtains or furniture are not obstructing your radiators.

Insulate hot water pipes and lag your hot water tank. Tank jackets are simple to fit and could pay for themselves in 6 months or less. They cost from just over £10.

Having a bath uses two and a half times more water than taking a standard shower.

Replace any boilers over 15 years old with a newer energy efficient model. Efficient condensing boilers can save you 30% on your heating bills.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of your electrics call me or drop me a line at The Poole Electrician.

****************
Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electrician – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563