O'Brien Electrical Rowville
We’ve made it to December which means that you’re probably looking forward to your end-of -year break. Whether you’re with the in-laws for Christmas or have decided on a road trip, you’re likely not working for at least a few days or weeks. If you own a business and you have to shut down your building, then you have a bit more to plan than just your holiday. The same applies for your home if you are away and it is left unoccupied.
We’ve listed a few of important things to add to your vacating checklist in order for you to save money, energy, and power.
1. Check on smoke alarms and equipment
Without anyone in the building, you have to rely more heavily on your alarm systems to alert an emergency. Before leaving for the break, test all of your fire alarm systems, switch out any batteries, and consider having an electrician come and check that everything is working properly.
Contact us today.
You can also consider installing fire alarm equipment that will automatically alert the authorities and emergency services when the alarms are triggered so your building will be safe even in the event of a fire when no one is there.
2. Check your AC system and avoid setting the temperature too low
To save energy while no one is around the office, you should set your temperature between 24-27oC. Increasing your thermostat by just 1oC in warm weather can reduce the running cost of your appliance by about 10 per cent. You should already have an energy management system year-round that adjusts air flow and temperature based on time of day and number of occupants.
Make sure you keep it on though to keep the system flowing — you don’t want to come back to any broken pipes! For your home however it’s not necessary to keep the AC running while you’re away, perhaps just check that it’s all in working order and the filter is cleaned before turning back on.
3. Unplug appliances wherever possible
You should unplug any appliances that don’t need to stay powered on. Shutting things down isn’t always enough as some appliances suck up and use energy when they are off but still plugged in. This can use hundreds or thousands of dollars of energy. The huge offenders include:
- Computers
- Routers
- Modems
- Televisions
- Printers
- Chargers
- Microwaves
- Things that turn on with a remote control
Not everything can (or should) be unplugged, but equipment and appliances that don’t have to stay on in your absence can save you a lot on energy costs.
Another benefit of unplugging equipment while you’re closed is that it reduces the risk of an electrical fire.
4. Set up timed lights
Timed evening lights in your building or home during a holiday break can make it seem like there are occupants, which can reduce the risk of burglary or theft. This also means that you won’t have to keep lights on all the time, which wastes power and money.
5. Check on and/or install security cameras
Another measure to keep theft at bay is to make sure any security or alarm systems are working properly. This includes security cameras, locks, alarms, and more. This can also help you monitor the building for any emergencies while you’re away.
6. Backups and data protection
Before you unplug your computers and modems, you’ll want to backup all of your data. If you cannot unplug your computers, it’s even more essential to back up your servers and data. If there’s an emergency or a power surge: would your important data be safe?
You should also double check your data protection and privacy set up. Cyber breaches are much more likely over holiday breaks because hackers and thieves know that most computers and tech is left unobserved and unmonitored.
7. Plan ahead and enjoy peace of mind
Planning ahead for your home or office closure will help avoid severe consequences in terms of cost and potential damage – giving you peace of mind to allow you to enjoy your break.
Whether you need your fire alarm system updated or your energy management system looked at, we can help so contact us today. We can also provide an energy audit to identify what areas you can improve in the New Year.
Most importantly – enjoy your time off now that you’re prepared!
Why choose O'Brien Electrical Rowville?
O'Brien Electrical Rowville is part of a national network of highly qualified electricians. We are committed to providing a premium service, innovative electrical and communication solutions, as well as value for money. With over ten years of industry experience, our trusted team of electricians continue to deliver outstanding results with a focus on solar and battery installation, commercial LED lighting, construction and service and maintenance. When you choose O'Brien Electrical Rowville, you’ll receive our professional and reliable service, guaranteed.
