Electrical safety budget for home renovations

Those who qualify for the federal government’s HomeBuilder stimulus are being urged to put aside 10% of their budget for electrical upgrades and safety.

The government’s stimulus measures have been welcomed by Master Electricians Australia; however, CEO Malcolm Richards has urged homeowners to factor safety and reducing energy bills into their plans.

“Applicants who are eligible for the federal government’s HomeBuilder package should set aside 10% of their renovation budget for electrical safety,” Richards said.

“It’s critical an opportunity such as this is not wasted on features that sacrifice safety or energy efficiency.

“Many older houses have old wiring and switchboards that present potential electrical safety risks. Setting aside a small portion of a renovation budget more than pays for itself if it safeguards a homeowner from electrical tragedy.”

Owner-occupiers earning up to $125,000 a year for individuals and $200,000 for couples are now eligible for a federal government grant of $25,000 to spend on renovations costing at least $150,000. Work on the renovation must begin between now and the end of the year.

Richards said any measure that saved construction industry businesses and jobs was welcome but urged homeowners not to neglect the need to upgrade electrical safety and energy saving features.

“Installing safety switches on every circuit should be an essential component on any substantial renovation,’’ he said.

“A safety switch can cut the power to a circuit in less than one-hundredth of a second — faster than the critical phase of a heartbeat.’’

Homeowners should also consider installing a smart home package, including updating to a smart meter and other features such as in-home displays that give a visual indication of how much energy the home is using and what it is costing at any given time.

“A qualified Master Electrician can also advise homeowners on the best energy efficiency package for their home when considering upgrading switches, lighting and wiring,’’ Richards said.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Tomasz Zajda