Home CCTV - No more bumps in the night

We all hear noises coming from downstairs at night.  Getting out of bed to investigate can be terrifying.  New affordable wireless CCTV systems are bringing peace of mind and a good night’s sleep to modest family homes.  Check the noise from bed using a phone or tablet for as little as £450+VAT.

5 Benefits of Home CCTV

1. Reduced fear of burglary

The main benefit most CCTV owners feel is peace of mind.  Knowing your home is protected by CCTV can dramatically reduce the fear of burglary.

2. Early Warning

CCTV can give you a head start against criminals. If you notice and intruder or anything suspicious, you can alert the police and get yourself and your family to a safe place.

3. Deters crime

If a home in your street has suffered from burglary in the past, a visible CCTV would be an added deterrent for criminals casing your home.  Video adds to likelihood of arrest and prosecution.

4. Remote Reassurance

The latest technology enables home CCTV systems to sync with smartphones, allowing you to view your home in real time, where-ever you are 24 hours a day.

5. Lower home insurance

A CCTV system can help you to negotiate a better home insurance deal.

Affleck HomeSafe Wireless CCTV Package

The Affleck HomeSafe Wireless CCTV Package includes a one CCTV wireless camera, a touchscreen tablet recorder and mobile app (iOS & Android) – all setup and installed for £450+VAT.  (Additional cameras available.)

In one visit, Affleck can set up the whole system. Our electricians will talk you through how to use the system and will assess where the cameras should be positioned.

Give Affleck’s expert electricians a call on 0800 316 9595 for more advice or to arrange setting up a HomeSafe CCTV system for you and your loved ones.

Electrical Terminology A-Z

If you’re planning on booking some electrical work, the chances are you’ll be hearing some words and terms that you may not be too familiar with… or that you haven’t heard since secondary school science class.

This electrical terminology guide will give you enough information for you to understand what your engineers are talking about. You may even find yourself brave enough to drop an acronym or two in conversation.

Electrical Acronyms and Terms A-Z

Alternating Current (AC)	An electrical current that alters its direction of flow many times per second.
Amp / Ampere (A)	The single unit of electrical current.
Bonding	Connections on exposed metal-work to stop electric shocks, by means of an earth connection.
BS 7671	The British Standard Requirements for Electrical Installations, previously known as IEE Wiring Regulations. This document informs of the requirements for electrical installations in the UK.
Circuit	The action of distributing electricity, consisting of cables and accessories.
Circuit Breaker (CB)	This device automatically breaks an electrical circuit when a fault is detected.
Circuit Tester	This device plugs into a standard outlet to check a circuit is properly grounded.
Conductors	Any material, substance or device that allows the flow of electricity.
Direct Current (DC)	An electrical current that flows in one direction, e.g. Battery.
Distribution Board (DB)	A piece of equipment that is used to connect circuits to an electricity supply.
Distribution Circuit	A circuit supplying electricity to a secondary distribution board.
Distribution Network Operator (DNO)	The company that distributes electricity to your home.
Electrical Installation Condition Report(EICR)	A report showing the condition of your property’s existing electrical installation.
Electrical Panel	An insulated panel that is used to connect electrical wires to circuit breakers.
Extractor Fan	An electrical ventilator for bathrooms and kitchens to prevent moisture from developing.
Extra Low Voltage	A low supply of electricity. 50V AC or less.
Fault Finding	The act of testing circuits to see if there is a fault within the chosen electrical system.
Floor Plan	A simple scaled drawing to portray rooms as seen from above
Flush	The way in which electrical accessories are sunk into the wall, so only the face place protrudes.
Fuse	A safety device that will melt the wire inside it if an excessive current flows through it.
Fuse Board	An enclosure that contains fuses for a property.
Fused Connection Unit (FCU)	An electrical accessory containing a cartridge fuse, used to connect and protect a piece of electrical equipment.
Hertz (Hz)	Unit of measure of electrical frequency.
Ingress Protection (IP)	A rating system that shows how protected an enclosure is against liquids and solids.
Insulation Resistance (IR)	The measurement of how an electrical circuit or piece of equipment is able to resist electricity leakage.
Light-Emitting Diode (LED)	An energy efficient device that produces light when supplied with electricity, developing rapidly into a viable light source in its own right.
Live	The collective name for the conductors that carry the normal operating current.
Live Conductors	Wires with electrical current actively running through them.
Neutral Conductor	A conductor that under normal conditions will carry no current.
Low Voltage	An electrical supply of between 50V AC and 1000V AC.
Luminaire	A light fitting.
Neon Voltage Tester	A tool used to detect if wires are live.
Neutral (N)	A term used to describe one of the cable cores in a normal mains supply.
Ohm	A unit of measure for electric resistance.
Ohm’s Law	V=IR where V is the voltage in volts, I is the current in amperes, and R is the resistance in ohms.
Over Current	A condition when the normal load current is exceeded in a circuit. This may result in an overload or a short circuit.
Overhead Wires	Wires that are above the ground.
Overload	An over current exceeding the normal full load current of a circuit.
Radial Circuit	A circuit set so that the cable runs from the consumer unit or fuse box to one or more accessories without returning to the source.
RCD (Residual Current Device	A current-activated circuit breaker used as a safety device for mains operated electrical tools and appliances that offers earth fault protection.
Recessed Lighting	A light fixture installed into a hollow opening. Also known as a down light.
Resistance	The property of an electrical circuit, measured in ohms, that restricts the flow of current.
Resistive Load	An electrical load with no considerable inrush current.
Semiconductor Fuse	A fuse that is used to protect solid-state devices.
Short Circuit	An overcurrent greater than the original full load current of a circuit.
Short Circuit Rating	The maximum short circuit current an electrical component can sustain without excessive damage.
Spur	A cable that supplies a socket or other accessories, which branches from a circuit.
Switch Leg	A wire connected to a power switch.
Volt (V)	A unit of electrical pressure.
Voltage Rating	The maximum open circuit voltage with which a fuse can be used.
Watts	The energy consumed by an appliance per second is expressed in watts.

RCD: Do not let your next shock be your last

We’ve all received a little electric shock at some point in our lives, actually about 2.5 million of us a year. But according to the Electrical Safety Council up to 350,000 people a year end up with serious injuries from electric shocks; a frightening number.  Luckily there is a smart little device that is here to save us: the RCD, Residual Current Device.

What is an RCD?

A Residual Current Device (RCD) is one of the most important things a safe home can have.  If there is an irregular or dangerous flow of electricity to earth from an electric power outlet, an RCD would automatically turn off the electricity in .4 of a second, ensuring that any chances of an electrical fire or serious shock are eliminated.

An RCD should be considered as important as a smoke alarm. It can be difficult to tell when an abnormal flow of electricity is running through your plug sockets or light switches and it’s likely the only way you will find out about it is when you have received an electric shock or the fuse in your laptop charger has blown.

What does an RCD look like?

Why am I getting electric shocks?

1. No RCD in your home
2. Misuse of plug sockets
3. The wiring and outlets in your home aren’t earthed

If your home uses plug adapters that allow the use of multiple appliances at once through one socket, then an RCD is an essential bit of kit to protect you if the earth connection melted.  Adapters that create space for numerous appliances are convenient and although they can work effectively, they aren’t necessarily efficient. It’s suggested by the Electrical Safety Council that you should never use more than 13 amps or 3000 watts of energy through one power outlet and this amount can easily be accumulated through the use of these plug adapters. The best answer is to get more sockets installed or unplug some of the equipment you aren't using.

Signs you need an RCD

1. You’ve received an electric shock
2. Fuses are blowing in electrical appliances
3. Wiring is getting old abd the connections have deteriorated

The majority of houses that were built between 1950 – 1980 have copper wiring that can get very hot if connections are not checked. This coupled with the misuse of appliances through adaptors and extensions leads can result in serious accidents.

The main cause of electrical fires in the home can be accredited to the misuse of equipment and appliances. 49% of homes in the UK do not have RCDs that are fully operational.

What’s to do if you don’t have an RCD?

If your home doesn’t currently have an RCD you can simply send Affleck a picture of your fuse board via email and our head electrician Andy Symes will contact you with an instalment quote over the phone.

If you are worried about your electrical safety, this February we are offering a free electrical survey for more information call 0207 971 7000 to arrange an appointment.  

4 Easy Steps to Protect Yourself & Your Home from the Winter

While it’s easy for you to wrap up warm or stay inside, your home isn’t as lucky and will face the worst of what the British weather has to offer. In preparation for the rain, snow, strong winds and whatever else may be looming; Affleck has compiled some simple tips in order to help you take care of your home this winter.

1. Roofing Damage: Inspect now

For those of you who were confident enough to brave the cold and lace your homes with outdoor Christmas lights and decorations, you might know the condition of your roof.  For those without the Christmas bling look out for:

• Any visibly loose or broken tiles
• Signs of moss build up/blocked gutters:
  • Overflowing gutters
  • Warped or sagging gutters
  • Visible wet patches on the walls
  • Discoloured paint/walls
  • Wet external walls/penetrating damp
  • Damp basement
• Check your attic for any wet spots or beams of light from the ceiling as this would suggest that there are holes in the roof

If you see any of these it’s a strong indication that repair work is in order.   A small tweak now might save you from serious damage when the weather turns nasty.  We’ve had tens of customers in the last week who left it too late and now having to do major repairs.

If you need any help with your roof call Wayne - Affleck's Head of Roofing - on 0208 971 7000 or follow our Guide on How to Clean Your Gutters.

2. Prevent Burst Pipes: Drain the System

Burst pipes are a common problem during the winter months.  The burst is usually caused when the water in pipes expands when it freezes and cracks the pipe. We suggest that if you’re going to be away from your home for a while, it's worth turning the flow of water off from the stopcock and letting the remaining water in the pipes out through the taps – ensuring that there is no water in the pipes to freeze.  Pipe insulators can be used to avoid frozen pipes, particularly in exposed areas.  In general your central heating is enough to keep your pipes safe.

3. Avoid a Slippery Path or Drive:

After it has snowed your local council will usually place salt and grit down on main roads and popular pedestrian paths in order remove the danger of falling over. If you are unfortunate the snow can cause extremely slippery surfaces on the paths leading to and from your home. If the council doesn’t place salt and grit down in these areas you can use cat litter or sand instead.  You can pick up a bag of sand for around £5 from hardware stores or even order from Amazon; a good thing to have by the front door.  You can even keep the spirit of Christmas going by helping an elderly neighbour with a bag too.

4. Avoid Electrical Heating Fires

Portable electric heaters become very popular during the winter months especially when the entire family is situated in one room. According to Fire Brigade, electrical heaters cause more than one fire a day.  It is very important that you remember not to place them so that they’re facing furniture and not to keep any wires underneath rugs as this may cause them to overheat and in turn cause a fire.

These simple pieces of advice should be easy enough to undertake yourself but if you would feel more comfortable having assistance from professionals feel free to call us on 0800 316 9595 | 0208 971 7000

Save £500 on your Annual Electricity Bill ... in under 10 minutes!

We all want to stop wasting money, but with the minimum of effort.  Here’s our 10 minute guide to saving over £500 on your Annual Energy Bill… and reducing your carbon footprint by over one tonne a year.  What’s not to like.

In February 2013, the energy regulator OFGEM calculates that the average UK household energy bill will be £1,420 a year – and those are set to rise.  According to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau almost half of people in London are worried about the strain of rising fuel bills their finances.  However for most people saving money on your energy bill is quick, simple and in some cases free.

How to save money on my energy bill/electricity bill?

• Change energy providers – £240 per annum / 17% (average) – 5 mins
• Install a VPhase unit – £65 / 4.5% (electricity only) - 2 mins
• Switch to LED lighting – £140 / 12%  - 2 mins
• Turn the thermostat down 2 degrees £110 / 9% - 2 seconds

Step 1: Find a new energy provider

To keep it simple: use uSwitch.  Get your electricity or energy bill and enter your details, it takes just a few minutes.  Average customers save 17% or £230 per year on their bill, 10% save over £310.

You can compare on price, customer service levels and save on gas and electric bill combi tariffs.  Getting both gas and electric from the same supplier, known as Dual Fuel, can also give greater discounts.

Our advice is to switch to a fixed rate tariff to avoid price rises; you may pay more initially but in the long run, it will almost certainly be cheaper. Maximise your savings by opting for monthly direct debit.

• Time taken: 5 minutes
• Cost: £0
• Savings: £200 per year or 17% off your energy bill
• Carbon Footprint: No carbon saving here; its same amount of energy you’re just paying less

*Cash Saver 1: when filling out the form on uSwitch select 'No' when asked if you would like to see the plans you can switch to today - you'll receive more options which could save you a lot more money

*Cash Saver 2: once you’ve switched check your meter occasionally to ensure your account is not in credit.  As often you will be charged more than you have used.

Step 2: Order a VPhase Unit

VPhase units save money on electricity bills, improve the lifetime of your appliances and are environmentally friendly.  When you get a VPhase unit installed by a qualified electrician it reduces the voltage used by you appliances from the UK average of around 245V to around 220V; yielding a potential 10% saving in electricity bills for a typical home.

Appliances such as fridges and freezers can deliver savings of 17%, whilst prolonging their life through reduced voltage and electrical stresses.

There is no maintenance once installed, so you can immediately benefit from the energy and money savings.  Make a quick call to Affleck now on 0800 316 9595 to arrange getting your VPhase unit installed at a time to suit you.

• Time taken: 2 minutes (to make the call)
• Cost: £400 – including installation (recovered in 4 years)
• Saving: £63 per year or 10% off your energy bill
• Carbon Footprint: Saving 500kg of CO2 emissions per year

Read more: VPhase: 10% of Every Electricity Bill

Step 3: Switch to LED Lighting

Traditional incandescent light bulbs will be phased out by the end of 2012.  So what does this mean? Candle-light or Energy Saving Bulbs only? No - the next-generation light-bulbs are bright, environmentally friendly, save you money and on top of all that they look cool too – welcome: LED lighting.

LED offer fantastic savings compared with other lighting.  The higher initial cost is greatly outweighed by the long term savings in both cutting energy use and savings on the light bulbs.  New designs mean they can be fitted in existing sockets, so make your next bulbs LED.

LED lights last around 30,000 hours! Typical energy savings of LED lighting are £7 each per bulb (yep that much), probably about £140 per year per household.  You can calculate exactly how much you can save using this LED Energy Saving Calculator.

You can order yours online now at LED Giant – it’s the best site and price we could find.

• Time taken: 2 minutes
• Cost: £200 – (recovered in 18 months)
• Saving: £140 per year or over 12% off your annual energy costs
• Carbon Footprint: Saving 585kg of CO2 emissions per year

Read more: LED Lighting – Ready to be turned on?

Step 4: Turn thermostat down by 2 degrees

The Energy Saving Trust have calculated that for each degree you turn down your room thermostat you save around £55 and 230kg carbon dioxide a year.

That’s it; just two degrees. If you want to save, wear a cosy jumper; now you may even be able to justify buying that new one.

• Time taken: 2 seconds
• Cost: £0
• Saving: £110 per year or over 9% off your annual energy costs
• Carbon Footprint: Saving 460kg of CO2 emissions per year

Additional Simple Energy Savings

Some more good advice from the Energy Saving Trust:

• Install a room thermostat if you didn’t have one before: £70 and 280kg carbon dioxide a year
• Fit a hot water tank thermostat: £30 and 130kg carbon dioxide a year
• Fit a hot water tank insulation jacket: £40 and 170kg carbon dioxide a year.
• For offices and commercial property installing occupancy sensors can create savings of thousands of pounds a year

More Good Advice on Ways to Cut Your Energy Bill

This article was complied with the advice of our expert London electricians, the Energy Saving Trust, OFGEM (the UK energy regulator) and Energy for London:

• Energy Saving Trust
• OFGEM
• OFGEM – Household Energy Bills Explained (PDF)
• Energy for London

VPhase: 10% off every electricity bill

VPhase units optimise the voltage needed for your appliances, saving an average of 10% on an electricity bills and prolonging the life of appliances as well as boosting your green credentials.

With the average energy bill now at almost £1400 per year in the UK and rising, any chance to save electricity is worth investing in.  Affleck are offering a £400+VAT express service, for the box and professional fitting by one of our qualified London electricians – no maintenance thereafter, just steady savings.

VPhase Marketing Manager Matt Cody explains “Voltage optimisation technology has been saving industry millions each year but this is the first time that it has become available on a domestic scale, making real energy and cash savings possible for households throughout the UK.”  Sounds like good news to us.

How do VPhase units work?

A VPhase unit is a voltage optimisation device designed for use in homes and businesses.  In the UK, voltage levels have historically been higher than in Europe, averaging around 245V compared to 230V.  Most appliances and devices are capable of working as efficiently, if not more efficiently at lower voltages.

The VPhase output in the UK is around 220V; yielding a potential 10% saving in electricity bills for a typical domestic property. For example, appliances such as fridges and freezers can deliver savings of 17%, whilst prolonging their life through reduced voltage and electrical stresses.

There is no maintenance once installed, so you can immediately benefit from the energy and money savings.

How to install a VPhase unit?

A VPhase unit should be fitted directly below the fuse box and operates on both socket outlets and lighting circuits.  The procedure is relatively simple but should only be carried out by a qualified electrician.  Affleck’s London electricians can do the job at a time to suit you for a great all inclusive price of £500+VAT.

VPhase Unit benefits

• Saves money - 10% typical saving off every electricity bill
• No maintenance – just steady savings
• Helps the environment – reducing carbon emissions
• Easily fitted by a qualified London electrician
• 5 year warranty

LED Lighting – Ready to be turned on?

Under recent UK government legislation, the sale of all traditional incandescent light bulbs will be phased out by the end of 2012. So what does this mean? Candle-light or Energy Saving Bulbs only? No - the next-generation light-bulbs are bright, environmentally friendly, save you money and on top of all that they look cool too – welcome: LED lighting.

LED or Energy Saving (CFL) light bulbs?

Both Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Energy Saving Light bulbs, a.k.a. Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) offer substantial energy savings over traditional light bulbs, however LEDs are the clear winner offering a greater financial savings, with higher longevity and less energy usage, as well as the production materials being less harmful to the environment.

LED Lighting

LED's are currently less common than energy saving light-bulbs due to their slightly higher price. Now LED lighting is poised to become far more widely available and competitively priced; the future default for general home lighting.

When first developed LEDs were limited to single-bulb use, for things like instrument panels, dot matrix displays and fairy lights – which would hardly light your home.

The light of LED's is one-directional, as opposed to the spherical light produced by traditional bulbs. The solution is to encase a cluster of LED's in diffuser lenses, spreading the light in wider beams. This, combined with bases which fit common household light fixtures, has led to LED's being the next generation in home lighting.

New LED bases are designed to fit common household light fixtures

Benefits of LED lighting

• Long-lasting – The life time of an LED is at least 20,000 hours, more than 10 times the life time of a normal energy-saving bulb
• Cost-effective – On average, a 5W LED light will generate the same lighting as a 15W energy saving light bulb does. Although LED’s are initially expensive, the cost is recouped over time through less energy usage and a long lifespan
• More efficient – Use only 2-17 watts of electricity, less than both CFL and incandescent bulbs
• Cool – Do not cause heat build-up; LED’s produce 3.4btu’s/hour compared to 85 for incandescent bulbs
• Mercury free – No mercury used in the manufacturing of LED’s

What does LED lighting look like?

When viewed up close LED lights are small points of light but - like a Monet – from a little further back the light blends together to create a natural uniform light.

Here are some examples of kitchen LED lighting we have used for our clients. They were delighted with the outcome.

LED lighting really is the future.

Just in case you're not convinced that LED lights were cool already – check this out:

What is PAT testing?

PAT Testing is routine check for electrical appliances.  It is a legal requirement for landlords and places of work to prove that a PAT test has been carried out by an approved electrician.

What is PAT?

PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing, although the term PAT is a little misleading as it covers all electrical systems and appliances – not just portable ones - ensuring that they are maintained to prevent danger.

PAT Testing for Landlords

It is a landlord’s legal duty to ensure that all electrical equipment is safe for the tenant at the start of a contract.  Most estate agents require that landlords do a PAT test before letting their property.

A record of the PAT test should be made to show the test has been carried out, who carried out PAT inspection, and when they did it.

How often should a PAT test be carried out?

There are no strict rules or legal requirements about the frequency of PAT tests either in rented accommodation or the workplace. However, it is recommended health and safety best practice to have this work carried out on an annual basis.

What does a PAT test cost?

A typical PAT test for a landlord should cost no more than £100. Affleck are the leading London electricians; we offer a flat rate fee of £80 for PAT testing and a landlord PAT certificate. 

Save Money on your PAT test

The cheapest option for most people will be to ask for an all-inclusive rate, as offered by many reputable electricians.  However if you are able to find a good all-inclusive rate these are some useful suggestions:

1. Dispose of unused electrical items
2. Don’t test new items, as they will be insured for at least one year
3. Check only relevant items that require checking; Class I & Class II electrical items

Useful Links

• Wikipedia: PAT Testing
• NICEIC: Electrical Jargon Buster