I regularly hear the question “Where should the reinforcement mesh go in slabs?” Well here is some advice. . . . Understanding The Materials Concrete – Strong in Compression, but weak in Tension. Steel Reinforcement– Strong in Tension, and strong in Compression (As long as the concrete can stop it bowing) Myth Busting Lots of concretors … Continue reading Reinforcement In Slabs
To get the best benefit from Grid Connected Solar Power you need to be up to date with the latest tariffs that apply to your installation. These days the Feed In Tariff (FIT) is much less than a few years ago. Power Tariffs Here in Victoria the FIT for excess power put into the grid for new … Continue reading Update on Solar Power, and Tariffs
Looking at an electrical plan, or reading an electrical specification, and wondering what all the abbreviations are? Well here are some of the more common ones you may encounter, many with links to other posts: 3ph – Three Phase Power AC – Alternating Current ACU – Air Conditioning Unit CB – Circuit Breaker DC– Direct … Continue reading Electrical Abbrevations
Or Any Other Home Anti-Bacterial Products! The other night on the television I saw (at least 5 times) an advert for anti-bacterial paint. Here are five reasons why I think this is marketing hype, and I won’t be buying it: Personal Experience It might have been the ‘Good Old Days’ but my children, my wife … Continue reading Why I Won’t Be Buying Anti-Bacterial Paint
Most builders standard electrical fit out is fairly pathetic. A single batten light fitting and a couple of double power points in each room! I have even seen single power points! Typical Builders Prices For Electrical Upgrades Downlights – $130-160 Pendant Lights – $180-$300 Ceiling Fans – $300-$600 Bathroom 3 in 1 fan/light/heat (non ducted) … Continue reading Additional Electrical Fittings
The house frame has all been completed, and inspected . . . . and then some idiot plumber drills holes in the frame like this! Right through the bottom plate, and the top plate, of both storeys of the house! Holes are often drilled in: Studs* Plates* Beams /Joists * see Basic Timber Frame for an explanation of these … Continue reading Construction – Holes In Timber Frames
Lots of people say you can’t get a sustainable house from a standard builder . . . . but I disagree! As an example I have started with this standard floor plan from the ‘MYPAD’ design of HomeStart, Perth first home buyer grant specialist. Here is how I would look to get most sustainable performance from this layout. … Continue reading Sustainability Modifications to a Standard Design
Have you thought about where your meter box will go? As you can see from this photo it is often one of the earliest things to be installed . . . . . Don’t like it in the location and its going to cost big dollars to change! Because the Meter Box is normally at … Continue reading Electricity Meter Box Location
Have too few circuits and you will get the circuit breakers in the Power Box tripping out all the time! Minimum The minimum number of electrical circuits for a new home would be 4/5, as follows; Lights General Power outlets (GPOs) Hob and Oven Air Conditioning Hot Water Service (Only if Electric) In my opinion this is … Continue reading Electrical Circuits – How Many Should You Have?
Did you know there are two safety devices in your electricity cabinet to keep you safe? Safety Switches Safety switches were originally known as Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB) but are now more commonly Residual Current Devices (RCD) These super fast switches (less than 1/20th of a second) cuts the power off the instant a fault has … Continue reading Safety Switches & Circuit Breakers
