Meet our new apprentice, Denis. This pic was taken on his first day on the job. He is training to specialise in appliance repair and domestic refrigeration. Welcome to the team, Denis!
News
Smoke Alarm Legislation Changes
Smoke Alarm laws are changing in Queensland. New rules are being progressively introduced. Read on to learn about important recent and coming changes for landlords and owner occupiers.
Landlords
From 1 January 2022
From 1 January 2022, at the commencement of a new lease or lease renewal, you must ensure your dwelling / unit meets the requirements of the domestic smoke alarm legislation. This may involve installing interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms into the bedrooms in addition to the currently required smoke alarms.
SRC: QFES
Owner Occupiers:
From 1 January 2017
- Existing smoke alarms manufactured more than 10 years ago must be replaced with photoelectric smoke alarms which comply with Australian Standards (AS) 3786-2014. (Note: the date should be stamped on the back)
- Smoke alarms that do not operate when tested must be replaced immediately.
- Existing hardwired smoke alarms that need replacement, must be replaced with a hardwired photoelectric smoke alarm.
From 1 January 2027
- All existing private homes, townhouses and units will require photoelectric interconnected smoke alarms. These must be either a hardwired (eg. 240v) or non-removable 10 year battery powered type alarm.
- The legislation requires smoke alarms must be installed in the following locations:
- on each storey
- in each bedroom
- in hallways that connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling
- if there is no hallway, between the bedroom and other parts of the storey; and
- if there are no bedrooms on a storey, at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling.
SRC: QFES
Interconnected Smoke Alarms
Interconnected smoke alarms communicate with each other. When one alarm is triggered, all of the other alarms will also be triggered. This produces a more effective warning through the premises in the event of an alarm event. Alarms can be connected by wire or wirelessly. Talk to our team to find out more about how many alarms and the best type of alarms to use in your premises.
Photoelectric Smoke Alarms
When replacing smoke alarms, they must be of a photoelectric type which complies with Australian Standard (AS) 3786-2014. Photoelectric smoke alarms, also known as optical or photo-optical, detect visible particles of combustion. They respond to a wide range of fires, but are particularly responsive to smouldering fires and the dense smoke given off by foam-filled furnishings or overheated PVC wiring. Source: QFES
Learn More About Smoke Alarm Solutions With Our Team.
Cooking Salmon in Your Dishwasher, and Other Interesting Dishwasher Trivia
Dishwashers make the daily chore of dishwashing easier, quicker and more efficient. That’s good news because, let’s face it, washing the dishes is a task that nobody truly loves. At Noosa Electric Co, we repair and service dishwashers for our Sunshine Coast customers, and we think dishwashers are pretty special. Read on to learn more about all things dishwashing, including (gulp) cooking salmon in the dishwasher!
The Origins of The Dishwasher
The first mechanical dishwashing device was registered for a patent in 1850 in the United States by Joel Houghton. [SRC: Wikipedia] Thanks Joel! Unfortunately, Joel’s dishwasher was a long way from expectations, and has been described as being slow and inefficient! [SRC: Missionrs.com ] Poor Joel! Let’s face it, his prototype, which was wooden, and hand-cranked, must have been a pretty rugged and possibly leaky affair. Nevertheless, this was the first step in a wonderful, global evolution from manual hand-washing to sophisticated, modern dishwashing!
Is Dishwashing More Efficient Than Handwashing?
The following information from choice.com.au | describes the different between dishwashing and hand washing from a study in the University of Bonn in Germany:
A full dishwasher uses about 13 litres of water to clean 144 items.
Washing the same load by hand uses about 100 litres of water on average, according to a study by the University of Bonn in Germany.
It’s important to note this is average water consumption – actual usage ranged from 33 to a staggering 440 litres in the study!
The important thing to note is that the dishwasher needs to be full to make the most of its efficiency. If you’re only washing a couple of items, washing them by hand will be more efficient, and use less water!
Cooking Salmon in the Dishwasher
It turns out that this is not a joke – the internet is brimming with recipes for “Dishwasher Salmon”.. it is a ‘thing’, although I’m not sure if I will be making it a ‘thing’ in my kitchen! In short, people are cooking salmon in the dishwasher, in a trend that began in America. Watch the video and learn all about it:
This cooking method can apparently also be applied to cooking lasagna [SRC: stylevanity.com], but It’s safe to say that this process isn’t included in the manufacturer’s instruction manual, along with all of the other things people use their dishwashers for that aren’t dishes. According to eatingwell.com people also use their dishwasher for non-cooking tasks as diverse as washing dog collars, toothbrushes, thongs, toys, keys and even golf balls. Have you ever been guilty of anything like this? Coming from a business that repairs dishwashers, we recommend you stick to the crockery!
Recycling Your Dishwasher
Dishwashers are 99% recyclable. Did you know that if we’re installing a new dishwasher, we will also take away your old dishwasher and facilitate it’s recycling? This is included in our service, and is another reason to consider Noosa Electric Co for you all of your dishwashing sales, installation, repair and servicing requirements on the Sunshine Coast QLD.
Energy Saving Tips
Whether it’s the heat of summer, the middle of winter or any time of year, there is always something you can do to with your home and appliances to save energy and operate more efficiently. This collection of tips is here to guide you on the way!
Air Conditioning Tips
In South East QLD, Air-Conditioners come on hard in Summer and this is reflected in your quarterly electrical bill. The following tips are useful for reducing costs and saving energy:
Change One Degree, Save Energy
Although ‘ice-cold’ might be your preferred AC setting in the heat of summer, moving up a degree or two can translate to real savings over the period.
Daikin say:
When it comes to cooling in summer, increasing the temperature by 1 degree can also reduce your energy use by 5 to 10%.
Reduced energy use translates to savings on your electrical bill, so this is a handy tip to keep in mind as we swelter our way through summer.
SRC: Daikin
Appliance Tips
The type of appliances you incorporate into your lifestyle and the way they are used has a significant impact on the costs associated over the lifespan of the appliance.
Purchase Quality Items
Appliances come in a wide variety of costs and capabilities. At the time of purchase a cheaper appliance may seem like a good idea, but the benefits of going with a quality brand will continue to serve you well for a much longer time. A key benefit is energy efficiency. Familiarise yourself with ratings systems, and check out the differences in energy efficiency in the available options.
SRC: QLD Gov’t
Tips to Save Electricity
The way you set up and configure your appliances will determine how much money they cost to run.
Hot Water Tariff
Ensure your electric hot water is on a controlled load (off-peak) tariff. That will mean when it heats up, it will do so at a reduced rate.
SRC: QLD Gov’t
Further Reading
Bulkhead Vs Split System AC – What’s the Difference?
Learn about the differences between bulkhead and split system air-conditioning solutions with Noosa Electric Co on the Sunshine Coast QLD.
Continue Reading Bulkhead Vs Split System AC – What’s the Difference?
Air-Conditioner Energy Optimisation
In this exciting article, we take a look at how to optimise AC usage to make sure we’re getting the most chill for the lowest cost and energy usage.
When is the Best Time of Year to Clean my Air-Conditioner?
Have you ever wondered when the best time of year to clean your AC might be? Find out in this article!
Continue Reading When is the Best Time of Year to Clean my Air-Conditioner?
Why Air-Conditioners Should Be Cleaned
Why Air-Conditioners Should Be Cleaned Air-Conditioners need to be cleaned on a regular basis. There benefits include health, efficiency and longevity. In this brief article, we demonstrate the two reasons why this is essential, provide (pretty unpleasant) images of air-conditioners which we have cleaned. If you need help with an air-conditioning solution including a clean…
Understanding Different Types of Air-Conditioners
Familiarise yourself with different types of air-conditioners, and find out what’s best for your home or business.
Continue Reading Understanding Different Types of Air-Conditioners
Air-Conditioner Features
Understanding the features and capabilities of air-conditioners can help you make informed choices.
Our New Location
Noosa Electric Co has moved! We are now located at our new premises at Unit 4, 8A Action St Noosaville. Our new location is designed for an optimal customer service experience with a more streamlined and effective operation. We look forward to seeing you at our new premises soon!
Our New Noosaville Address
- Unit 4, 8A Action St Noosaville
Find it On Google Maps
New Location Map
Sunshine Coast Hockey Lighting Upgrade
We’ve been helping Sunshine Coast Hockey modernise their field lighting. Hockey is regulated and requires specific lighting to meet standards. Our team of 6 electricians, a crane and a lift truck worked together to remove the old lamps and lift and install the new lights, cross-arms and cabling. Weighing in at approx. 300kg per light, this project required a very specific approach. The new lights are LEDs and will use approximately half the power compared to the old lamps, and require less maintenance going forward. With careful calibration of degrees, rotation and tilt, the lighting is optimised to meet the international hockey regulations and provide Sunshine Coast Hockey with a world-class venue for many years to come.