Why should I invest in an electric underfloor heating system this winter?

Thinking about installing underfloor heating this winter? Here’s why you should take the plunge.

With the bitter days right around the corner, you’re likely looking for ways to keep your home warm this winter.

Electric underfloor heating systems are currently one of the fastest-growing home improvement projects in the UK, and many homeowners are favouring them over more conventional central heating systems.

But how exactly can you benefit from installing underfloor heating?

The expert electricians here at Michael White Electrical Services reveal all in this post.

They’re energy-efficient

In comparison to conventional, old-fashioned radiator systems, underfloor heating is much more energy efficient and, consequently, more cost-effective when it comes to your utility bills.

However, with this said, it would be a good idea to have an efficiency test performed while having your underfloor heating system installed.

This will help you to assess the overall effectiveness of your insulation, looking at how well your home can retain heat and ensuring that you’re able get the optimum performance from your underfloor heating.

They require very little maintenance

One of the main reasons people choose to install electric underfloor heating is that it requires almost no maintenance.

To ensure easy-to-use, maintenance-free heat, you need to make sure that the system has been installed properly, as most problems are a direct result of inadequate installation.

This is why it’s so important to make sure you choose a qualified, reputable electrician.

As experienced electricians in Brighton, we’ve been fitting electric underfloor heating for many years, so you can consider us the go-to team to get the job done.

They’re more comfortable

Comfort is a must – especially in the colder months.

Homes with underfloor heating systems are noticeably more comfortable than those without.

All parts of the room (so long as they share the same heating system) will maintain a balanced, consistent temperature – whereas a bog-standard old radiator will only heat one corner of the room.

With an underfloor heating system, there’ll be no more family battles for a seat next to the radiator.

In addition to this, if you have underfloor heating installed throughout your entire home, everyone won’t have to put up with the same temperature.

It can be adjusted accordingly in different rooms based on individual preferences – talk about ultimate comfort!

They’re more hygienic

You might not think there’s a difference, but underfloor heating is far more hygienic than other central heating mechanisms, like radiators for example.

The high levels of moisture and humidity at floor level are an ideal breeding ground for a host of creepy crawlies and dust mites – and radiators accumulate a lot of them.

If anyone in your house suffers from any respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, these tiny creatures can pose life-threatening dangers.

Switching to an electric underfloor heating system will greatly improve hygiene all around, and almost completely eliminate dust mites and other unwelcome irritant by helping to maintain a sufficient level of humidity throughout different rooms in your home.

Ready to install underfloor heating?

If you’re looking for an expert team of electricians in Brighton to install your underfloor heating system, we’re here to help at Michael White Electrical Services.

We have over 20 years of experience in underfloor heating installation and repairs and are well-placed and fully equipped to tend to all your electrical underfloor heating needs.

For more information about our services or to hire one of our electricians in Brighton, you’re more than welcome to get in touch with us.

Give us a call on 07747588711 to speak to us directly or send an email to info@michaelwhiteelectrical.co.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

When Should I Hire An Electrician?

Wondering if you really need to hire a qualified electrician to carry out electrical work at your home?

Doing your own electrical work may seem like a good way to save money, but it’s a job that’s fraught with fire and health hazards. In fact, even the smallest mistake could lead to shock, burns, electrocution or property damage!

To mitigate the risk of such hazards, it’s much safer to hire a qualified electrician.

Here, the team at Michael White Electrical Services Ltd outline when you might need to hire an electrician and why you should choose our electricians in Brighton.

When to call a professional

Some electrical tasks are easy enough to do yourself – like replacing fuses and changing a dodgy lightbulb. However, more complex jobs are best left to professionals.

Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Faulty lights or sockets

– if your lights or plug sockets aren’t working, this is a clear indication that you have a problem with your electrical installation or the light or socket fittings themselves. An emergency electrician will be able to diagnose where the problem lies and recommend the appropriate action to take in order to rectify the issue without delay.

Light installations

– installing new light fixtures either indoors or outdoors? Though it may seem straightforward enough, it’s best to contact a qualified electrician. Not only do they have the required skills and expertise to fit them correctly but they can also minimise the risk of fires and serious injuries.

House rewires

– rewiring electrical systems can increase the safety and usability of your property – not to mention increase its value! But it’s worth noting that house rewires demand the higher level of expertise of a competent electrician, like the team here at Michael White Electrical Services.

Smoke alarm installations

– battery-powered smoke detectors are relatively simple to install, even if your DIY skills are in short supply. However, hiring an electrician in Brighton (or elsewhere) to install or replace your wired smoke alarm will give you the peace of mind that it’s done in line with current legislation and stringent safety standards.

Electric vehicle charger installation

– swapped a petrol or diesel car for an electric? In the process of buying a new car and considering a hybrid? One thing for sure is that you’ll need an electric vehicle (EV) charging station to keep your vehicle’s battery topped up. Though we can’t speak for all electricians, the team at Michael White Electrical Services specialise in EV charger installation – offering a professional, reliable and affordable solution for electric car drivers.

Underfloor heating installation and repairs

– installing underfloor heating can be a complex job that requires special tools and knowledge. A qualified electrician can deal with the electrical aspects of electric underfloor heating – ensuring all the wires are connected correctly and carrying out any necessary repairs safely and efficiently.

Why it pays to use a local electrician

Taking care of your own electricals will certainly save you the expense of hiring an electrician – but, sometimes, even the more experienced DIYers may need to appoint the expertise of a professional.

Electrical work isn’t always fun and some tasks can be trickier than others. With that said, hiring an electrician will allow you to do the things you enjoy without worrying about your electricals being installed correctly.

Depending on the type and extent of work that needs to be done, permits and inspections may be required. Without a permit, you could be fined. It’s an electrician’s job to take care of these on your behalf – giving you one less thing to worry about.

Another great reason to use a local electrician is that they have vast knowledge and will reduce the risk of hazards, such as a fire caused by faulty wiring and blown fuses from overloaded circuits.

What’s more, they’re normally just a stone’s throw away and can be with you within the hour. So you needn’t worry about leaving problems to fester or putting plans on hold for too long.

Contact our electricians in Brighton today

If you’re based in Brighton and need to hire an electrician, be sure to make Michael White Electrical Services your first choice.

Having worked with clients across East and West Sussex for more than 20 years, our Brighton electricians have the skills and expertise to conduct all aspects of electrical work – from testing and inspection to repairs and installation. We consider no job too big or too small!

For more information about the services we offer, or how our electricians in Brighton can help you, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0774 758 8711. A member of our friendly team will happily provide you with more information as soon as possible.

How Long Does It Take To Charge An Electric Vehicle?

Have you recently switched from petrol or diesel to electric?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are much greener than those with petrol or diesel engines. They use far less energy to get you from A to B, which means they have lower CO2 emissions.

There’s no denying that these vehicles are more energy efficient – but one of the biggest concerns for motorists in the UK is realistic charging times.

That’s why, in today’s article, we thought we’d outline which factors determine charging time for electric cars and why you should make us your first choice for EV charger installation.

What affects charging time?

Charging times can vary depending on:

·         the make and model of your electric vehicle

·         the size of your car’s battery

·         the type of EV charging station you use

·         how many miles you drive between charges

·         your charging behaviour (i.e. topping it up or charging from empty)

Typically, the larger the car’s battery, the longer it will take to fully charge. If you’re charging your vehicle from empty, it’s bound to take longer to charge than if you were just topping it up.

Types of EV charger

There are thousands of free electric car charging points in the UK – often located in supermarkets, shopping centres, public car parks, hotels, and motorway service stations.

These include:

·         Rapid chargers – rated at 43-50kw, these are the fastest chargers on the market, and great for topping up your battery during a long journey. Depending on the size of the battery and how much charge it has to start with, they are capable of charging cars up to 80% within 20-40 minutes.

·        Fast chargers – these are rated at 7-22kw and often used at public charging points as well as residences. Taking between 3-7 hours to recharge an EV, these chargers are not as fast as their rapid counterparts, but there are several models to choose from.

·         Slow chargers – for every hour of charge, a 3.7kw slow charger provides up to 15 miles. This is half the distance of a 7kw fast charger (30 miles) and six times less than a rapid charger (90 miles). However, taking between 6-12 hours to charge, they’re ideal for overnight charging.

Methods of charging

When it comes to electric vehicle charging, you have one of two options:

·         Top-up charging

Most EV drivers plug their car in whenever they park – whether it be at home overnight, or during the day at their workplace, the gym, or supermarket – no matter how much charge it has. This is what’s known as ‘top-up charging’.

Instead of letting the battery run empty and having to wait for it to fully recharge from zero, they simply keep topping it up (usually with a rapid charger) whilst it’s parked.

·         Home charging

The most effective way to charge your EV at home is to install a dedicated home charging point – but these tend to be the slowest.

Thanks to the government’s Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme contributing to the installation cost, 7kw fast chargers are simple to install and more affordable than ever before.

Could you benefit from an EV home charger?

We appreciate that most people rely on their vehicles to commute, drop the kids off at school or nursery, and do the weekly shop, whilst some regularly travel up and down the country – either for work or leisure.

Here at Michael White Electrical Services, we provide an EV charger installation service for customers across East and West Sussex, helping you to plug your car in and charge it up – ready for the journey ahead.

Our team will provide the most suitable electric vehicle charging solution for you, taking into consideration the mileage you drive, the size of your car’s battery, and your charging preference (i.e. charging from empty to full or frequent topping up).

For more information about our EV charging installation service, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Give us a call on 0774 758 8711 or email info@michaelwhiteelectrical.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you.