Our advice on installing integrated kitchen appliances

Kitchen appliance installations in Leeds

Electrical safety in the home is incredibly important, especially in the kitchen as it tends to be the room which contains the most electrical appliances.

The majority of new kitchens come with integrated or fitted appliances such as ovens, fridges, microwaves and dishwashers. Whilst the addition of integrated appliances is a great way to give your kitchen a sleek, modern look, they must be installed correctly if they are to work safely and efficiently.

We’ve come across many integrated appliances which have been very badly installed and it’s often built-in fridges and freezers which are the worst culprits. For a fridge or freezer to work properly, sufficient airflow is essential and if this hasn’t been taken into consideration, it can take many months for the problem to come to light, resulting in an appliance which is unrepairable.

Fridge and freezers all work in the same way and cool air must be drawn into the appliance so that it can cool down the air inside. A constant supply of cool air is therefore essential and once this cool air has been warmed, it must then be expelled from the appliance.

Appliances which are designed to be integrated must be housed in a purpose-built kitchen unit, specially designed to allow sufficient air flow. This type of kitchen unit usually features an air vent at the bottom and if this vent becomes blocked, there is a danger that heat will build up in the appliances, putting the appliance at risk of overheating and leading to an increase in energy bills.

Contact Dalec

Here at Dalec we are experts in all aspects of electrical installations and if you would like advice on installing integrated appliances, or a free, no-obligation quote, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

 

/by

Our advice on using electric blankets safely

,

Electrical safety advice in Leeds

As the cold winter weather arrives, many of us think about using an electric blanket. However, whilst electric blankets are a great way to ensure you stay warm and toasty and night-time, it’s essential that they are maintained and cared for properly if they are to be safe.

It’s worrying to think that electric blankets can pose a real fire risk – they’re responsible for over 5000 house fires every year – and with this in mind we thought we’d offer some on advice on how to use them safely.

Electric blanket warning signs

Whether you use your electric blanket throughout the year, or only during the winter, it’s important to check it regularly for wear and tear. The danger signs include:

  • Scorch marks
  • Exposed wiring or heating elements
  • Damp patches
  • Frayed fabric
  • Soiled areas
  • Damaged or missing tapes
  • Worn or damaged cable

If your electric blanket is showing any of the above, or is old or damaged in any way, it’s essential that you have it checked before you use it.

If in doubt, buy a new blanket

If you’re concerned about the age, condition or safety of your electric blanket the easiest option is to buy a new one. Buying a new blanket is often cheaper than having an old or damaged one repaired and when you take into account the safety of your family and home, this seems like a small price to pay.

Regardless of how frequently you use your electric blanket it should be replaced at least every ten years. Never, ever buy a second hand electric blanket and make sure the one you choose is from a reputable supplier and displays a safety certification symbol.

Safe electric blanket storage

Electric blankets should be stored carefully if they are to be safe. Never fold an electric blanket: if you need to store yours in a box or drawer etc. it’s much better to roll it up or, even better, store it flat on a spare bed.

Contact Dalec by calling 01535 606 006

Electric blankets should always be tested by a qualified electrician and if you have any safety concerns over yours, we’d be happy to help. Our Leeds electricians operate throughout West Yorkshire so please don’t hesitate to get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.

 

/by

Is your business safe, secure and protected?

,

Security solutions for businesses in Leeds

Security is, of course, vital for any business but if your business premises are open to customers, it’s very difficult to keep your business secure when your doors are always open.

The answer is that although it’s impossible to keep a shop or open business premises 100% secure, there are a number of highly effective steps you can take to improve security.

Security systems designed to meet your requirements

Panic buttons are a simple, cost-effective solution and having them fitted in various locations around your business premises will provide you with peace of mind and the ability to contact the police quickly and discreetly.

One of the most effective steps you can take is to install a working CCTV system. Although a wide range of dummy or decoy CCTV cameras are available, for commercial business owners there really is no substitute for the real thing. A functioning CCTV system will record a crime as the events unfold, helping the police to identify the culprit whilst also providing valuable evidence for your insurance company. Here at Dalec we are specialists in installing a wide range of CCTV systems, from low-cost basic systems, through to state of the art cameras, designed to record clear images, even when it’s dark.

Unfortunately darkness often proves to be the burglar’s friend and for people working in retail premises, opening up or locking up at night can prove to be a worrying experience. Installing emergency security lighting on the outside of your premises will mean that the exterior of your property is illuminated by bright light when a motion is detected, alerting you to the potential threat whilst deterring a burglar from entering.

Door entry systems are the ideal solution for any business which doesn’t receive many visitors who which operates on an appointment lonely basis. Installing a door entry system will allow you to screen visitors as their access can only be granted by a member of staff. Combined intercom and camera systems are very popular as they allow members of staff to see and communicate with visitors before allowing them entry.

Business and commercial security systems installed by Dalec

If you would like advice on any aspect of protecting your business, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Dalec to arrange for a free, no-obligation quote. We work with businesses of all shapes and sizes across Leeds and are happy to visit you at a time to suit you. Why not get in touch to find out more?

 

/by

The future is bright – the future is LED

,

Energy saving advice for homeowners in Leeds

Despite the fact that homeowners in the UK could save a staggering £1.4 billion on their electricity bills each year by replacing traditional incandescent and halogen bulbs with energy-saving LEDs, the UK is trailing behind other European nations. This £1.4 billion could save the average household around £50 per year on their energy bills.

Could you save money on your lighting bills?

So why are so many UK householders failing to take advantage of the LED revolution? One reason could be the confusion that often surrounds the labelling on low-energy light bulbs, making it difficult to determine the equivalent wattage. However, clearer labelling is being slowly but surely introduced.

Another issue could be the higher cost of buying LED bulbs. However, when you consider that not only do LEDs last much, much longer than other types of bulb and are far cheaper to run, the higher price should be seen as a worthwhile investment.

Lighting installations in Leeds

If you would like advice on changing the light fittings in your home or on lighting in general, we’d be happy to help. Our services are available to home and business owners throughout Leeds so why not get in touch today to arrange a free, no-obligation quote?

/by

Leeds home owners – old wiring isn’t worth the risk!

,

Home owners in Leeds – does your home need re-wiring?

One of the questions we’re most often asked by customers is whether the wiring in their home is safe and whether re-wiring will be necessary. It’s hard to tell unless we’ve carried out a visual inspection and our team operate across Leeds, providing domestic electrical services to our customers.

If you live in an older property it’s worth bearing in mind that the majority of homes in the UK didn’t have electrical wiring installed as standard until the decades between the wars. As a result we still occasionally come across older homes that still have the original wiring. Whilst the original wiring was probably very safe at the time it was installed, standards have changed and very old wiring can now prove to be dangerous indeed. The problem lies in the fact that in the 1950s electrical and lighting circuits were encased in lead or rubber – these are materials which can disintegrate over time, leaving the wiring exposed.

Electrical services in Leeds

Old wiring can prove to be very dangerous indeed and if you’re worried about any aspect of the wiring in your home, you should call a qualified electrician as soon as you can. Although rewiring a home is a sizeable investment, it’s simply not worth compromising your safety or the safety of your family. By choosing to work with a reputable electrical company such as Dalec, you’ll have the reassurance of knowing that the work is being carried out to the highest standards. If you would like to obtain a free, no-obligation quote or further advice we’d be happy to help – why not get in touch today?

/by

Make the most of your garden with garden lighting installed by Dalec

,

Electrical safety advice from electricians in Leeds

The days are slowly but surely getting longer and although we’re not suggesting you think about having a barbeque any time soon, early spring is a great time of year to start thinking about installing garden lighting.

A great way to help you get the most out of your garden, a wide range of attractive garden lighting is available, ranging from solar lights designed to highlight the edges of paths, through to spotlights, fairy light and lights designed to be recessed into decking or paving.

There’s no doubt that garden lighting can look absolutely stunning – there’s nothing quite like the look of an illuminated garden on a warm summers evening – but it must be installed correctly if it is to be safe. It goes without saying that water and electricity should never be mixed and when you consider that garden lighting is exposed to the elements, the danger that’s posed by poorly installed or unsafe lighting is significant.

Before installing outdoor lighting it’s essential to make sure that the lights you choose are designed to be used outdoors. Never be tempted to buy a normal string of fairy lights, for example, thinking that they’d look good draped in a  tree, telling yourself that you’ll remove them when they’re not being used as even the slightest drop of moisture can be incredibly dangerous. As with all electrical items; if in doubt, don’t use it.

Electrical services for homeowners in Leeds

Bearing in mind the risks that can come with installing garden lighting, here at Dalec we strongly recommend that garden lighting is always installed by a qualified, reputable electrician. Here at Dalec we have decades of experience in a wide range of electrical installations and our electrical services are available to residential and business customers throughout Leeds. To find out more, or to arrange for a free, no-obligation quote, why not get in touch with us today?

/by

We install CCTV systems for home and business owners in Leeds

,

Cost-effective CCTV installed in Leeds

Unfortunately CCTV systems have an undeserved reputation for being expensive to buy and install but by using local installation experts such as the team here at Dalec, you’ll find that we have the expertise to install a reliable system, designed to suit your needs and budget.

We’ve installed countless CCTV systems across West Yorkshire and are proud of our reputation for providing high quality, reliable security and surveillance equipment for domestic, industrial and commercial properties.

The cost of installing a CCTV system for your business or home has decreased over recent years and nowadays, thanks to the broad range of CCTV systems available, it’s possible to install a CCTV system at a lower cost and without the monthly fees that come with some monitored intruder alarms.

CCTV systems offer a highly effective way to deter to intruders simply by the sight of the cameras alone and crime statistics show that visible CCTV cameras will reduce the potential for criminal activity.

Regardless of whether you are looking for a CCTV system to safeguard your home or business, you’ll want a system that is reliable, simple to use and offers round the clock protection for your property.

Contact Dalec by calling 01535 606 006

If you’d like to talk through the benefits of installing CCTV, or would like to obtain a free, no-obligations quote, the team here at Dalec would be delighted to help. Why not get in touch today for further information?

/by

Is your home as secure as it could be?

,

Security system installation in Leeds

As regular readers of our blog will know, here at Dalec we’re very keen to spread the word on the importance of home security. From protecting your home, garage or shed, there are lots of simple ways to protect your property from the threat of burglaries and here are just a few ideas to help you ensure you minimise the risk of a break in.

Simple, effective security products installed by Dalec

Ensuring your home is protected can be largely down to having a few deterrents in place. The majority of burglaries are carried out on an opportune basis and when a burglar sees that your home is secure, they’re much more likely to consider your property too risky to break into. Here at Dalec we install a wide range of simple but highly effective security measures; ranging from sensor security lights designed to protect the outside of property, through to state-of-the-art wireless security systems and CCTV cameras.

Many homes have outdated security systems which are unreliable and as a result tend not to be used. Installing a working, reliable security system is probably the most effective step you can take to protect your property and regardless of the size of your home or your budget, we’ll have a system to suit you. We’re happy to provide you with advice or a no-obligation quote at a time to suit you so whether you have an existing system which simply needs repairing, or would like advice on installing a brand new alarm, we can help.

Security lighting is often underestimated by homeowners in terms of the protection it can offer. However, security lighting can offer a highly effective way to deter intruders and we provide a range of lighting options, designed to suit all sizes of property. If you live in a remote area or quiet street security lighting can prove particularly helpful and motion-sensor lighting, for example, will not only put-off potential intruders, it could also help you find your doorway when it’s dark!

Contact Dalec for further information

To find out more about our electrical services for homeowners in Leeds, or to arrange a free, no-obligation quote, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 01535 606 006.

/by

Window security advice for homeowners in Leeds

,

Homeowners in Leeds: don’t tempt burglars by leaving your windows open

Whilst spring seems to be finally well, springing, we know that the temptation can be to leave windows open whilst you go out.

Letting fresh air into your home is, of course, a great idea especially after such a long, wet winter, but by leaving even small windows open, you are leaving your home susceptible to intruders.  Here at Dalec you’ll find that we install a wide range of home security options with solutions to suit all budgets and styles of property.

Security advice from experienced electricians in Leeds

Window locks are the most effective way to safeguard your windows and whilst UPVC window frames are fitted with window locks, older frames and non-UPVC windows can prove to be very easy for thieves to prise open.  We can offer advice on securing your windows and our range of security alarms are designed to offer additional protection and peace of mind that your home and its contents is safe.

/by

We provide alarm installation and maintenance services for homes and businesses in Leeds

,

Electrical services in Leeds from Dalec

There’s no doubt that a security alarm is one of the most effective ways to help protect your home or business premises from the risk of theft. However, even the most expensive, state-of-the-art system can prove to be unreliable if you fail to ensure that it’s checked and maintained on a regular basis.

Here at Dalec we’ve been providing alarm installation and maintenance services for customers in Leeds for decades and we have the expertise to provide an efficient, reliable response to any problems you might be having with your alarm system. Whether your alarm is fairly new but could do with servicing, or you have an old system which needs replacing, we can help.

It’s important to bear in mind that alarm servicing isn’t just a good way to make sure your system is reliable; a well-maintained system is an essential requirement if you run a business. Ensuring that an alarm is regularly serviced is often a clause which appears in insurance policies and if you run your own business, this will also be a requirement of health and safety regulations.

Contact Dalec for further information

If you would like to find out more about our alarm installation and maintenance services for residential and business customers in Leeds, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling Dalec on 015353 606 006.

/by