Alongside fire alarm and security systems, emergency lighting has become an important element of the safety systems used in business, commercial and industrial buildings.

Emergency lighting can literally prove to be a life saver as it will provide a safe escape route in the event of a fire or as a lighting source during a power cut.  However when installing emergency lighting systems, it’s essential to install the correct type and to ensure that a suitable layout is used.

Here at Dalec we are specialists in all aspects of security, safety and emergency lighting for business and commercial customers.  We have the expertise to carry out safety lighting installations and once your lighting system has been fitted, we also offer testing and maintenance services to ensure your system is reliable and meets safety legislation.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like further information.

Whilst the powers that be seem to feel that we are, at long last, coming out of the recession, many of us are still feeling the pinch and looking for ways to cut down on our bills.

Energy prices have become the focus of much scrutiny over recent years and the main energy providers have been criticised for making bills and tariffs very difficult to understand with the result that many people pay too much for their gas and electricity.

If you’re looking for ways to cut the cost of your energy bill, there are many things you can do to help.  For example, leaving appliances on standby means that they continue to use electricity, even when not in use and turning off the TV, games console, washing machine and microwave will save you money in return for very little effort.

Energy saving light bulbs are another great way to save energy.  Particularly useful in locations where you might need to leave a light on for long periods, such as security lighting or lights in a porch, energy saving light bulbs will help you cut your electricity costs.  It can also be worth looking into LED lighting which can prove to be very power efficient when used in the right locations.

There has been much talk of smart meters in the news recently as the Government plans to have them installed in all British homes by 2019.  Smart meters could help home owners save money on their bills and British Gas are already encouraging customers to register their interest in smart meters, with the intention to upgrade all current systems in homes before 2019.

Easily the cheapest and amongst the most efficient ways to protect your home and loved-ones from the risk of fire, smoke alarms are simple to install and maintain.

Here at Dalec we are specialists in the installation of complex fire protection systems, designed to protect everything from houses through to offices and industrial units, however we also install smoke alarms to suit all properties and budgets.

It’s very worrying to think that you’re at least four times more likely to die in a fire in a home without a working fire alarm and around 18 people in the UK die each year in homes with smoke alarms but where the battery was either flat or missing.  Smoke alarms are relatively simple to install but it’s important to ensure they are fitted in the right place.  Corridors are ideal but avoid fitting smoke alarms too close to the kitchen or bathroom as steam or smoke can set the alarm off by accident.  Make sure that you have a smoke alarm fitted on every level of your home: the hallway and landing are ideal locations.

Installing smoke alarms is just the first step though as you’ll need to check your alarms on a weekly basis to ensure that they’re working properly.  Change the batteries once a year and never remove the batteries without replacing them immediately.  It’s a good idea to get into the habit of always having replacement batteries in stock so buy new ones every time you replace them.

If you are worried about installing smoke alarms in your home or if you would like further advice on any aspect of fire protection, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’ll be more than happy to help.

If you’ve ever been about to turn on a lamp or using the hoover and the fuse in the plug has blown, it can be really irritating to say the least.  Before you rush to change the fuse, here’s how to do it safely:

  1. The first thing you need to do is to remove the cover of the plug and this can be done by either unscrewing it or sliding it off, depending on the type of plug.
  2. Pliers are required for removing the blow fuse: needle pliers are the best tool for this and be careful not to break the fuse whilst you’re taking it out.  It should be fairly easy to tell if the fuse has blown because it will look dark and ‘smudged’ or the wires that you can see inside will be broken.
  3. The new fuse (make sure it has the same amp rating) should be inserted into the metal clips that form the fuse housing.  Please note that using the correct fuse is essential and if you’re unsure, you need to speak to an expert.
  4. The final step is to replace the cover of the plug – whichever appliance the plug is attached to should be safe to use.

A word of caution: remember that electricity is extremely dangerous and if you need advice on any aspect of using electricity in the home, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

It’s alarming to think that when electrical items or electronics are sent to landfill rubbish tips they can end up hanging around for thirty years or more, causing pollution and taking up space.

In an effort to combat mountains of household waste, the government is calling for electrical equipment to be disposed of in a more environmentally friendly way.  If you have an electrical item that needs to be thrown away – whether it’s hair straighteners or a fridge freezer- don’t just put it in the bin or dump it.  Electrical items need to be disposed of properly and if you visit your local recycling plant, you’ll find special containers designed for getting rid of electronics.

 

If you are a landlord in Leeds you’ll be well aware of the legislation surrounding electrical safety in rental properties.  Electrical safety is hugely important in properties of any type and when you consider that 30 deaths and 4000 accidents are recorded each year in the UK as a direct result of electricity, this puts the importance of electrical safety into perspective.

As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all electrical equipment and electrical systems within a property are safe.  Landlords are required to do this by law and means that all appliances in the property, along with the internal wiring, have to be maintained to a high standard.

To further ensure the safety of tenants, landlords are also required to give copies of any documentation relating to the maintenance of electrical appliances and electrical systems, and appliance instructions are also included in this requirement.

If you would like advice on electrical safety in a rental property, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

 

Whether you’ve just bought a new TV or are considering buying one, you may be tempted to fit the TV to a wall.  However, before you rush out and buy a wall mounting bracket from your local electrical store, it’s worth bearing in mind that this is a DIY job which can prove to be more complex than it seems.

In order to look good when fitted to a wall, a flat screen TV needs to be able to sit flush against the wall with no visible wires showing.  This is where we come in: our team can, if necessary, install new electrical sockets in carefully chosen locations to ensure that your TV looks fantastic and the installation is carried out to a high standard.

So whether you’re thinking of buying a new TV or already have a TV which you’d like to re-position, why not get in touch for further information on our TV installation services in Leeds?

Feature lighting can be a great way to add a personal touch to the interior of your home and whether you’re considering installing cabinet lighting in your kitchen or recessed lights in the bathroom floor, getting the installation right is essential.

A huge range of different feature lighting is available nowadays and the possibilities are almost endless!  We’ve installed feature lights in flooring, walls and even in gardens but in all cases the same rule applies: safety first.  If you want to achieve a high quality, professional finish it is important to have your feature lighting installed by a registered electrical installation specialist such as Dalec.

So if you’re in the process of carrying out some home improvements or renovations, why not contact us here at Dalec for advice on installing feature lighting?  We’re happy to provide free, no-obligation quotes and professional advice designed to help you get it right first time.

At this time of year homes are at their most susceptible to burglary: during the build-up to Christmas intruders are all too aware that many of us stock up on electrical items such as iPads, laptops or cameras to give as gifts to loved-ones, leaving many homes at increased risk of being broken into.

With this in mind it can be sensible to review the security of your home and aside from installing a new or more advanced burglar alarm system; there are lots of things you can do to help protect your home from intruders.

Many burglaries are carried out opportunistically but in some cases, burglars will check out a property in advance so it’s wise to make that your home always looks occupied and to make sure that the entrances to your home are visible at all times.  Simple steps to take include using timer switches to turn lamps on and off automatically and dawn to dusk exterior lighting installed over your front and back door.  Don’t leave your curtains closed all the time when you’re away and if you can, ask a friend or neighbour to move the post from your front doormat.

A visible burglar alarm can prove a very effective deterrent so it’s important to ensure that the bell box of your alarm system is visible from the road.  If you don’t have an alarm it is possible to buy fake burglar alarm bell boxes and these are a good alternative if you can’t afford a full system.

Don’t overlook the security of your shed or garage as they can be particularly susceptible to theft at this time of year: simple alarm systems can be purchased to protect out-buildings and a decent bolt and padlock is usually sufficient to put off most opportunist thieves.

Here at Dalec we’re specialists in all aspects of home security and our services are available to homeowners in Leeds.  If you would like further advice or information on protecting your home, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

 

 

Here at Dalec we offer a full range of electrical services for residential customers in Leeds and if you’re thinking of buying a new TV in time for Christmas, our team have the expertise to install the latest TVs and home cinema systems.

If you’re going to buy a TV that’s bigger and therefore heavier than the one you already have, there are a couple of things you’ll need to take into consideration.  The trend for wall-mounted TVs is still going strong and if you’re planning on fixing your new TV to a wall, you’ll need to make sure that you use a bracket that’s strong enough to take the weight.  Also, don’t forget to think about what you’re going to do with all those cables; it’s worth bearing in mind that by using a TV installation specialist such as Dalec, we can take the stress out of installing your new TV!

So rather than struggling to fit a new TV, why not let the team here at Dalec take the strain?