With Western Australia heating up for another long summer, many households are relying more than ever on cooling systems to stay comfortable. While air conditioners, ceiling fans and portable units offer relief from the heat, they also place significant demand on your home’s electrical system. Without the proper safeguards and awareness, this extra load can result in increased energy bills, tripped circuits, or even electrical hazards.
At Handcock Electrical, we know that staying cool and staying safe should go hand in hand. In this article, we’ll walk you through the best ways to keep your home cool while protecting your electrical system from unnecessary strain. From system checks to smart energy usage and safety tips, we’ve got your summer covered.
Understanding the Load: Why Summer Demands More from Your Electrical System
As the temperature rises, so does the use of high-powered appliances:
• Air conditioning units (both ducted and split systems)
• Evaporative coolers
• Portable fans and ceiling fans
• Pool pumps and outdoor lighting
• Refrigerators and freezers working harder
• Electric barbecues and outdoor kitchen setups
• Home entertainment systems (TVs, gaming consoles, speakers)
• Charging stations for electric vehicles or tools
These devices draw significantly more current, especially if used simultaneously. An older or overloaded switchboard may not be able to handle the demand, leading to risks such as circuit breakers tripping, power outages or even fire hazards.
If your home is more than 20 years old and you haven’t upgraded your switchboard, now is the time to consider it. A modern switchboard with safety switches and surge protection is essential for managing increased loads safely. Handcock Electrical provides full switchboard upgrades and electrical inspections to ensure your system is summer-ready.
1. Prioritise an Electrical Inspection Before Summer Starts
One of the smartest moves you can make is booking a pre-summer electrical safety inspection. This allows licensed electricians, like the team at Handcock Electrical, to:
• Assess the overall health of your electrical system
• Check for overloaded circuits or outdated switchboards
• Inspect wiring for wear or deterioration
• Recommend necessary repairs or upgrades
An inspection helps you catch problems early and prevent larger, more expensive issues during the peak of summer.
Additional checks may include:
• Testing your home’s earthing system
• Evaluating safety switch function
• Ensuring your smoke alarms are interconnected and compliant
• Reviewing your outdoor power systems and weatherproofing
2. Use Cooling Appliances Smartly
To reduce stress on your system, spread out appliance usage. Here are some practical tips.
Air Conditioning Tips:
• Set the thermostat to 24-25°C. Each degree lower increases energy usage.
• Use a fan in conjunction with your air conditioning to circulate cool air.
• Keep blinds and curtains closed during the day to reduce heat gain.
• Turn off the system when not in use or set it to a timer.
• Clean or replace filters regularly to maximise efficiency
Ceiling Fans:
• Ceiling fans are a cost-effective option and use significantly less energy.
• Ensure the fan direction is set to counter-clockwise in summer for optimal cooling.
• Consider upgrading to newer fans with LED lights and energy-saving motors
Evaporative Coolers:
• Make sure doors and windows are open for ventilation.
• Regularly service the unit to clean pads and ensure motor efficiency.
• Check water levels and drainage
Zoning:
• Use zoning features on ducted systems to cool only the rooms in use
• Close doors to unused areas to avoid wasting energy
3. Upgrade Old Appliances and Electrical Fixtures
Older appliances not only consume more power but are often not up to current safety standards. Consider upgrading:
• Air conditioners (opt for energy-efficient inverter models)
• Ceiling fans with LED lights
• Pool pumps with energy-saving features
• Outdated power boards and extension leads
Additionally, consider updating your power points and switches to modern, safer fittings that can handle increased demand. Handcock Electrical provides installation services for all types of electrical fittings.
Appliances with frayed cords, discoloured plugs or signs of overheating should be replaced immediately. Not only are they inefficient, but they also pose fire and shock risks.
4. Install Dedicated Circuits for High-Demand Appliances
If you’ve recently installed a ducted air conditioning system or upgraded to a powerful split system, your home may need dedicated circuits to manage the load properly.
Dedicated circuits prevent:
• Overloading shared circuits
• Constant tripping of circuit breakers
• Reduced risk of overheating wiring
• Risk to other appliances on the same circuit
Our licensed electricians at Handcock Electrical can assess your existing circuit layout and install additional ones as needed to keep your cooling systems running safely.
5. Don’t Overload Power Points and Boards
It’s tempting to plug in multiple devices during summer—fans, TVs, air purifiers, chargers. However, overloading power points with double adapters or daisy-chained power boards is a common cause of electrical fires.
Tips to Avoid Overloading:
• Use power boards with surge protection
• Avoid plugging high-powered appliances into the same board
• Use separate wall outlets where possible
• Never piggyback one power board into another
If you need more outlets, Handcock Electrical can install additional power points throughout your home safely and professionally.
Also, avoid hiding power boards under rugs or behind furniture, which can cause them to overheat. Give them space to breathe and inspect them regularly for signs of damage.
6. Consider Installing an Outdoor Ceiling Fan
Entertaining outdoors? An outdoor ceiling fan is a great way to stay cool without overwhelming your home’s power supply. Unlike portable pedestal fans, outdoor fans are designed for safety and efficiency in open or semi-open spaces like patios.
Speak to our team about safe installation options and weatherproof fittings. We ensure they are rated for the outdoors, with proper waterproofing and correct placement for maximum airflow.
7. Solar Power? Make Sure It’s Working at Peak Performance
Many WA homes now have solar power systems installed. However, summer demand means you want to ensure:
• Your system is clean and unobstructed
• Inverters are functioning properly
• Switchboards are configured for optimal energy flow
Our licensed electricians are experienced in assessing and repairing solar integration issues. A quick check-up can improve your power efficiency and reduce your reliance on grid electricity.
We can also help with solar battery compatibility assessments and offer advice on using solar to offset high daytime usage.
8. Outdoor Lighting and Pool Electrical Safety
Summer also means longer evenings and backyard enjoyment. But it’s important not to overlook the electrical safety of:
• Pool pumps
• Outdoor lighting
• BBQ and entertainment areas
• Outdoor power points
Water and electricity don’t mix. Handcock Electrical can install weatherproof power points, outdoor ceiling fans, and GPOs for BBQ areas to ensure your outdoor spaces are safe.
For homes with pools or spas, we recommend:
• Isolating switch installation for pump control
• Inspection of wiring and earthing around wet areas
• Use of RCDs for all outdoor circuits
9. Stay on Top of Your Safety Switches
Your home should be fitted with Residual Current Devices (RCDs), also known as safety switches. These devices shut off power immediately if they detect a fault.
Test your RCDs every 3 months by pressing the ‘Test’ button. If it doesn’t trip the power, contact a licensed electrician immediately.
Not sure if your home is protected? Handcock Electrical provides switchboard upgrades and RCD testing services.
For homes with children, elderly residents or medical devices, ensuring that RCDs function correctly can be lifesaving. We also install additional RCDs for specific zones of your home for greater protection.
10. Plan for Power Outages and Emergencies
While uncommon, excessive demand or summer storms can cause localised blackouts. Be prepared:
• Keep a torch or battery-operated light handy
• Unplug sensitive electronics during a storm
• Don’t use candles unsupervised
• Call Handcock Electrical for emergency repairs
We offer reliable emergency electrical services across Perth, 24/7. Whether it’s a tripped switchboard or a sudden circuit failure, our team responds promptly to restore power and ensure safety.
Conclusion: Don’t Sweat It This Summer
Staying cool in a WA summer doesn’t have to come at the cost of safety. With the right planning, appliance use, and support from trusted electricians like Handcock Electrical, your home can remain a safe and comfortable retreat from the heat.
We specialise in residential electrical services designed to meet the demands of modern living in Western Australia. Whether you need an inspection, switchboard upgrade, additional power points or advice on appliance usage, our experienced team is here to help.
Let us help you enjoy a summer that’s both cool and electrically sound.