Factors to Consider When Buying a New Stove Range

Posted by Editor on Aug 8th, 2018 in Home | 0 comments

Cooking appliances are must-haves in any kitchen, and perhaps the biggest must-have of them all is the stove range. It combines two of the most important appliances needed in any kitchen: the stove and the oven. There are many different kinds of stove ranges, each built for a different purpose.

However, the number of choices can make it confusing to choose which one you should get for your kitchen. This guide will help you go through factors you need to consider to know what stove range you should buy.

Fuel vs. Electric
Traditional fuel ranges have the advantage of not relying on electricity, and are still used by a lot of chefs as well as the average Singaporean homeowner. Because you can go through the different heat settings instantly with them, they offer a kind of precision that most electric stoves don’t have.

However, you would need a gas hookup for this kind of stove range, and it can be more time-consuming to clean.
Electric fuel ranges, on the other hand, are much tidier. These smooth-top stoves are much more visually appealing and are easier to clean, and is a good choice for those people who don’t have gas hookups at home.

The downside with electric ranges is that though they cost less to install, they use more energy than traditional gas ranges and add on the electric bills significantly.

Cost
Stove ranges are expensive, but there are some that are more expensive than others. A typical run-of-the-mill gas range will cost less than an electric range, unless the electric range uses coil cooktops.

You should keep in mind, though, that electric ranges may cost you more in the long run, especially in Singapore.

Size
How big is your kitchen? If you only have a small space to work with, it’s probably not a good idea to buy a professional-grade stove range. As much as possible, buy a stove range that gives you a good compromise between capability and space used.

An ideal stove for your kitchen should be enough for all your needs while not constricting foot traffic in your workspace when cooking. If you’re remodeling your kitchen, talk to your interior designer about the placement as well as the aesthetics.

Usage
You should also keep in mind the different settings that you’ll need in your daily cooking. Most stovetops would have at least four different burners that cater to different heat levels, with perhaps one power burner for boiling water quickly, and a slow burner for simmering.

Your stove should also be easy to clean, unless you’re willing to put in the extra time after cooking each meal. When it comes to safety, most ranges are risky usually depending on how they’re used. Remember to always turn off the power or gas when you’re done cooking.

4 Secret Tips and Tricks for Troubleshooting Electrical Problems at Home

Posted by Editor on Jun 7th, 2018 in Home | 0 comments

Even though Singapore is one of the best countries in the world, power outages can still happen, and these can happen because of many reasons.

If your home’s and your neighbor’s home appears to have lost power to theirs, you may need to call a licensed electrician to find out what the problem is.

However, if your home’s electrical works aren’t working even though your neighbor’s is, the problem may be somewhere in your home that you need to know first before calling an electrician to fix it.

Here are a few tips and tricks for troubleshooting your home:

1. Fixing a circuit breaker

A lot of homes and apartments have a certain limit in terms of power output, and to protect against a fire hazard, circuit breakers trip and shut off the flow of electricity. If they trip often, this might be a sign of current overflow.

If a breaker is in the middle position (indicates that the breaker has tripped), push it completely to the side that indicates “off” to reset it.

2. Your lights are too hot

If your lights are too hot, there’s a good chance that either the bulb’s wattage is too high or that the insulation is too low. In either case, this problem could pose a significant hazard if you’re not careful.

Be sure to check for excessive heat coming from your lights regularly. If there are, contact an electrical wiring expert as soon as possible.

3. Unusually dim/bright lights

There are two likely reasons why some lights may seem excessively bright or excessively dim compared to the other lights around the house: it may be that the bulbs have different wattage, or that the main connection is bad.

If the cause is the former, check and see that all bulbs have the same wattage. If it’s a bad main neutral connection, call an electrician services as soon as possible.

4. Electrical surges

A lot of things can cause electrical surges, whether they are lightning strikes, damage to power lines, or even bad electrical wiring in your home.

While actual electrical surges only lasts a microsecond, they can damage your home’s electrical wirings and decrease their shelf life. To avoid this, replace any circuit boards or electrical devices that are cheaply made.

Avoid doing electrical repairs unless you are a good electrician or are knowledgeable about how they work. If you have to, be sure to follow safety precautions, the first of which is to avoid work on live wiring and always make sure you are insulated before proceeding.

As much as possible, it’s best to call an electrician services in Singapore to work on your electrical problems at home.

Things to Consider About Outdoor Safety Lighting

Posted by Editor on Sep 25th, 2017 in Home | 0 comments

Outdoor lighting in Singapore properties is not only for home aesthetic purposes, although it certainly provides artistic benefits to your home’s exterior at night. The major benefit of outdoor lighting is that it helps protect your property against threat of home break-ins: without sufficient lighting, your home may become a prime spot for burglars come nightfall. You cannot risk this potential disaster, so make sure to call a licensed electrician to get this home electrical works taken care of.

Types of Outdoor Safety Lighting

While there are plenty of options available in Singapore market, we recommend these five for you to consider.

1. Driveway Lighting

Driveway and pathway lighting does not only enhance the facade of your home; it also allows safe entry and exit for homeowners. This is especially helpful during emergencies that require you to evacuate your premises quickly, such us during a fire. And although it seem more difficult to enter through the front door, burglars will try it anyway, so you need sufficient lighting to warn malicious people that someone is home, which will likely fend them off.

2. Motion Sensors

Perhaps, this is the most effective form of safety lighting that can be installed by Powermax licensed electricians in Singapore for both residential and commercial properties, as they turn on at the slightest sign of motion. This lighting flashes so quickly that it can scare away intruders. When installing, make sure that the lighting fixture is mounted closer to the property, since you would not want the light to flash for any passersby and passing cars. The close proximity will ensure that the intruder will have to get really close to your home, leaving them in difficult situation once the sensors detected them.

3. Post Torches

While post torches are primarily for decorative purposes, they also provide big help for preventing burglars from entering through the backyard. Thieves often try to enter properties through the backdoor, thinking that this area is often less protected. With the installation of these lighting fixtures, however, they will likely think twice about entering your property and will be easily detected once they make an attempt.

4. Hanging Lights

When looking for a way to illuminate the doorway and front porch, hanging lights are an option you should consider. Since they light up your doorway, burglars will be less inclined to break in. Moreover, it provides safe lighting when leaving and entering your home. In terms of aesthetic, this lighting illuminates the architectural beauty of your property, shedding light on parts of your home that often go unnoticed.

5. Flood Lighting

This type of outdoor safety light is incredibly effective in providing a wash of light for the entire outdoor area. It is ideal for both home safety and aesthetic, especially when it gives you control for up and down lighting. These lights illuminate so brightly that it can shed light on property features like shrubbery and trees, therefore leaving very little space for intruders to hide if they attempt to break into your property.

Things to Consider Before Light Installation

While outdoor lighting should be installed as soon as possible, make sure to discuss the following with your electrician before making any purchase.

• Use Outdoor-Designed Fixtures

Although a good electrician already knows what kind of fixtures to use, it never hurts to remind them to only use outdoor-designed bulbs and cords. If buying the lights your own, always read the fine prints to see if the lights and extension wires are ready for outdoor weather. Failure to do so may lead to costly repairs and replacements much sooner than you expected.

• Keep Everything in a Safe Distance

Remove clutter from the surrounding area, and make sure flammable objects are kept in a safe distance. If not, just a single small spark from your lighting fixture may cause a fire in your property.

• Install GFCI

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) can save your property—and your life—by automatically shutting off power when there is any irregular flow of current happening in the circuit. It is particularly important to install a GFCI in areas where electricity and water are likely to come in contact. Make sure to discuss this with your electrician for your and your property’s safety.

• Purchase Weather-Resistant Receptacles

Like extension wires and bulbs, you also need to use weather-resistant receptacles that are ready to endure dampness or heating without a problem. It is much better to use them instead of running wires through a window or door.

How Outdoor Safety Lighting Can Help You

If you want to guarantee safety for your family and your hard-earned investment, talk to your electrician services company about installation of home security lighting. While you not have experience home break-in ever since, it is nonetheless vital to have adequate lighting at all times. Let an electrical professional check your home and determine the right places for your outdoor security lights. Lighting your outdoor space properly helps avoid accidents by illuminating otherwise dark areas, such as walkways, patios and paths, and keep burglars from trying to break into your home.

Having your outdoors well lit will guarantee optimum security, as well as provide peace of mind, especially in times when you are far away from home. A reputable electrician services company should be able to provide with the right outdoor lighting solution to keep the threat of burglary break-in at bay and boost property value to something you would probably want to sell your property for.

Preparation for Exterior Home Painting Project

Posted by Editor on Apr 8th, 2014 in Home | 0 comments

Over time, the exterior painting of your home chips off or fades out because of rain, heat, pollution, and frequent weather changes. Due to the heat, the paint loses its color and gloss, thus looks dull and old. And because of the rain, the paint slowly peels off and strips out from your home’s exterior walls. To avoid this and prolong the beauty of your home, the quality of paint to be used significantly matters. It is important to know when the right time is to repaint and choose the right products to use for the house painting project.

Why Home Painting Is Important?

Exterior house painting is important because it beautifies, protects, and adds character to your home. Because of these reasons, it’s very important to spare enough time for planning the right shades, colors, and styles to decorate your home’s exterior. When planning, always remember that the colors and styles applied will be seen by your neighbors and other people. Therefore, it makes sense to carefully plan your exterior painting so you won’t be ashamed of the appearance of your home after the project is done. In addition, the paints also serve as your home’s primary defense against pollution, weather changes, insects and other damage-causing factors. Consult your painting services contractor about the best type of paint to use.

When to Paint?

There’s no strict guideline that tells when you should repaint your home. It greatly varies on the appearance, climate, the quality of existing paint applied, and whether you hired a good painting services provider. A poorly done paint job can only last as little as three years before it requires to be redone, while the good one usually lasts for 20 years and more. According to painting services singapore experts, the home’s current coat is the most important determining factor when planning for a repainting job. Pay attention whether the exterior paints are already cracking, chipping, peeling, or flaking anywhere. Also, look for exposed areas of wood or signs of water damage. Finally, evaluate how your home looks. If any of those signs are already visible, contact a painting services provider and start planning for a home repainting job.

What Color To Apply?

Once you’ve confirmed that your house already needs a paint renovation, among the first decisions to make is to choose the colors to use. Again, there are no strict guidelines to follow for this step. The combinations to use for the doors, trims, walls, and roof are mostly your personal choice. One of the best ways to help you decide is to observe the houses in your neighborhood. Are most of the houses having the same color scheme? Do you want to make yours stand out or blend in? This will also give you an idea of what combinations you like and you don’t like. If you see a strange looking house, try to identify what makes it look odd; or if you like something, take inspiration to the color combinations and style of painting used.

Test the Colors

The last thing you have to do before proceeding to the application proper is to test the colors you wish to have. Before buying gallons of paints, purchase first a sample size and paint them on a non-descript area of your home just to see if it is the shade you expect it to be. This task is a bit daunting considering that there are so many shades available in a single color. For professional advices and to make things a lot easier, discuss this matter with your Singapore painting services contractor.