Electrical Design Tips from Kiwi Electrical Ltd

Some free tips for planning the wiring in your new home.  

Design

If you are not using a professional lighting designer or architect, your electrician should be able to help with a lighting and power layout for your home, and advise you with product choices.

When planning the electrical layout, there are many obvious, and not so obvious factors to consider:

• Consider power for appliances such as gas water heaters, central vacuum machine, security panel, garage door opener, under floor heating thermostats, or any exterior sockets for appliances such as water blasters, hedge trimmers etc?
• Lighting layout – generous lighting levels over kitchen benches, dining table, computer desks, work benches, reading areas
• Consider recessed directional tilt lighting for work areas, art, photos or architectural features
• Consider outdoor security lighting, flood lighting, and landscape lighting

Think of the future

If you think you may add more rooms in the future, ensure the switch board has capacity for this.

• If you think you may install a home theatre system, airconditioning, ventilation system at some stage, have it pre-wired, or have draw wires installed when you build your home.
• If you plan to stay in your home while your children progress into their teenage years, consider installing a TV and internet connection in their bedroom now. It is much cheaper and easier to have these things done at the framing stage, than have to damage done to walls and ceilings trying to install new wiring later.

7 Home wiring tips for new home builders from Kiwi

1. Always use a Master Electrician

Only master electricians can offer the ECANZ 12month $10,000 guarantee

2. The cheapest quote is not always the right choice

Think of experience, product quality and professionalism as well as price when comparing quotes

3. Always use an electrician that is experienced in new house wiring

They will have better product knowledge, be aware of trends, and be used to working with other trades people to make your project a pleasurable experience

4. Beware of cheap low voltage down light kits .

These down light kits (light fitting, 12 volt transformer & lamp), available from most lighting retailers often come with a low quality Chinese made lamp, with shorter life, lower light output, and low Kelvin rating(meaning the light has a more yellowish colour to it than a good quality lamp.

5. Do not use cheaper 230V GU10 down lights in place of 12 volt down lights

Although these light fittings look identical to 12 volt halogen down lights when installed, they also have a poorer quality lamp, with low light output and low Kelvin rating

6. Always ask your electrician for lighting advice before spending thousands at lighting retailers

You electrician will be able to provide you with catalogues from lighting importers and wholesalers that do not supply the retail market. The prices should be very competitive, and the range and quality of lighting product equal or better than most retailers.

7. Think of the future when wiring your new home

Your lifestyle may be different a few years from when your home is completed, and it is more cost effective to have any future wiring installed from new, rather than trying to retrofit later

If you have any queries about the wiring of your new home, would like some free advice or pricing, please feel free to contact Kiwi Electrical Ltd, Master Electricians

See also Choosing an Electrican