ElectricPoint

Introducing Lutron Lighting

We are delighted to be a supplier of Lutron Lighting - being introduced in many modern homes now, Lutron is the brand of choice for those looking for home automation.  If you are unfamiliar with Lutron Lighting, here is a good video introducing their work

If you are interested in Lutron take a look at Electricpoint where we have a selection of the range and will be happy to give you a quote on any Lutron items.

Lightbulb Moments in History

We’ve all had a Eureka! Moment, when we’ve been racking our brains for an answer when suddenly…Boom! It arrives in our heads and solves our problem.

There have been some pretty incredible lightbulb moments through history, were some amazing discoveries or realisations have occurred. Here’s a few to inspire your next breakthrough idea.

 

Sir Isaac Newton

You’ve heard the story….Sir Isaac’s sat under a tree, gets hit by an apple and hey presto! Gravity is unearthed.

Well, not entirely true but almost.

It is suggested, that in 1666, during The Great Plague of London, Sir Isaac Newton retreated to his family’s estate in Lincolnshire. Whilst there, he witnessed an apple fall from a tree, noticed its speed and distance and came to his own conclusions. These ideas gave him the inspiration to create his theory of universal gravitation.

 

Philo Farnsworth

Can you seriously imagine a life without television?

Well if you’re like me, you have this man to thank for that big thing that all your furniture is pointed at.

When Philo was 14, he was at home ploughing a potato field (as you do), when an idea hit him. Farnsworth realised that an electronic beam could scan images, which became the basis for the first version of the home television we know and love.

If ideas like this can be conjured, I think I’ve found a reason to eat more chips.

 

Archimedes

The man we can thank for the ‘Eureka!’ moniker

King Hiero II had been given a gold laurel-leaf shaped crown, but was concerned about its quality, and if it was actually 100% gold.

Step forward Archimedes, the go-to man for all your authenticity issues. He was asked to work it out on one condition….he couldn’t damage the crown.

Archimedes worked for days but alas, could not figure it out. Deciding to run a bath, it seemed that as the water began to flow, so did his creative juices which helped him realise that he could work out the crown’s density by noting how much water it displaced.

When he made this discovery he decided to leave his house, running and shouting “Eureka!” through the streets…….naked.

Why don’t you have a lightbulb moment and take a look at Electric Point’s extensive range of lighting.

 

Four Insects to Make Your Skin Crawl

We all have things we are afraid of. Some of us cringe at the thought of heights whilst others squirm at the sight of spiders.

Personally, insects make my skin crawl. In the UK, all I have to worry about is wasps, horse-flies and midges, (scary stuff I know).

But each day I can thank my lucky stars I’m not running the risk of finding one of these lurking in the corner of my bedroom.

Weta bug

I like carrots, you like carrots, rabbits around the globe like carrots. Insects normally don’t….until now.

Say hello to the Giant Weta bug, the world’s biggest and creepiest looking insect around, so big it can happily much on one of those orange sticks we love to eat with our meals.

Weighing three times more than the common mouse, Weta bugs are only found on Little Barrier Island, just off the coast of New Zealand, so luckily, there isn’t much chance of them crawling around your conservatory anytime soon.

 

Camel Spider

Alright technically not an insect but their gruesomeness makes them worthy of a spot on here.

A photo emerged on the internet of a Camel Spider taken by US soldiers in Iraq, who claimed that the spiders were chasing them. In fact, the Camel Spider is a nocturnal being, and was simply following the shadow caused by the soldiers.

When they find their prey, which is usually small rodents, lizards and scorpions, they chop it up into pieces and then to eat they liquidise it. Nice. But although they are native to the Middle East, be warned! They have been known to make their way over to Britain.

 

 

Giant Water Bug

These pests are the biggest insects in Canada and the US, which can grow up to four inches long.

They are also commonly known as ‘toe biters’ as they can administer a nasty bite, and most commonly feed on amphibians and small fish.

They wait on the bottom of the water, and when prey approaches, they strike, releasing a poisonous venom. This literally dissolves the insides of the unlucky victim, which then has its innards sucked out.

 

 

 

Giant Hornet

As I said earlier, I hate wasps. They’re ugly, make a horrible noise and their sting hurts to high heaven. But after seeing a picture of these little beauties, I’m so grateful I don’t live in Japan.

The Asian Giant Hornet is one of the scariest insects known to man. In comparison to wasps and bees, they are huge. Their sting pretty much always requires hospital treatment and on average, 40 people a year die from Asian Hornet related attacks. 

 

 

 

(All images sourced under the creative commerce license)

 

 

Why don’t you give yourself some peace of mind and invest in an insect executor from Electric Point, the online electrical experts.

 

 

Amazing facts You Didn’t Know about Electricity

You’ve turned off the TV, put your IPhone on charge, turned up the central heating and preheated the oven. Now you couldn’t do any of this without our old friend electricity.

But do you know your Edison from your electrons and your Ben Franklin from your fuse?

Here are some fascinating electricity facts to light up your imagination.

Bright Sparks in History

So you think Benjamin Franklin and his kite was the reason your toast popped up this morning? Well although he did play a huge role in its discovery, not all the credit can go to him. He did discover that lightning and electricity is pretty much the same thing but your respect also needs to go to these guys:

Thomas Edison-although mostly known for his light bulb exploits, his work and efforts spread much further. He introduced electricity into people’s homes and owned/run the world’s first power plant.

Michael Faraday-took the electricity baton and run with it. He discovered and implemented the use of copper wire and magnets to channel electricity. The most popular way electricity is currently produced.

Alessandro Volta-in 1800, this Italian had the wacky idea of dipping paper in salt water and attaching zinc and copper at each end. Little did he know how this would revolutionise electricity usage and would become the main components for the modern day battery.

 

Amazing facts

 

• In 1978 only 8% of homes owned microwave ovens, that total is now 83%

 

• An electric eel can provide a shock of 600 volts. That’s more than double (220 volts) of anything you can safely plug into a household socket!

 

• The electricity needed to light up the infamous Las Vegas ‘strip’ could provide enough power for a town of 25,000 residents

 

• Iceland was the first country ever to produce all its electrical energy from renewable sources

 

• A bolt of lightning can measure up to 3 million volts!

 

Why don’t you embrace the efforts of Thomas Edison and co and buy your energy efficient light bulbs at Electric Point, industry leaders in electrical wholesale in the UK.

 

 

Lights out! History’s Worst Blackouts

Superstorm Sandy has blighted New York and its neighbouring areas in the past fortnight, with substantial damage caused to the nation’s power grid. This is isn’t the first time in history that a state or even a whole country has come to a complete standstill, as this list will show.

India blackout 2012

In August of this year, three of India’s five power grids failed, leaving 700 million without electricity. Miners stranded underground, bodies half-cremated, stranded commuters and surgeries cancelled were just some of the huge issues it caused.

New York 1965

Sandy isn’t the first time that a power cut has bitten a chunk out of the Big Apple. Known as ‘the Great Blackout’, a faulty substation cut power for 14 hours, leaving 25 million stranded.

Switzerland 2003

A short in a power line in Switzerland caused blackouts in Italy affecting 95% of the country, with some left in the dark for 18 hours.

China 2008

A winter storm in the city of Chenzhou, China caused two week long blackouts, which caused the sad death of eleven technicians trying to resolve the problems.

Indonesia 2005 

An unbalanced power grid causes five hours of blackouts for 100 million residents.

Greece 2004

With the Olympic games a mere month away, disaster strikes as over use of air conditioning causes blackouts, affecting 7 million people and ceasing preparation for the games for five hours.

Brazil 1999

A bolt of lightning hitting the country’s main power station, which caused 97 million Brazilians to be without power for up to 5 hours.

Europe 2006

When a couple of employees from a German power company decided to temporarily switched off a power line over a river to allow a ship pass, they had no idea the outrage they’d cause. This bright idea caused mass power cuts throughout Europe, with 10 million Germans, Italians, French and Spaniards without power. 

British Gas Raise the Price of Gas and Electricity

Britain’s largest energy supplier, British Gas, is increasing the price of gas and electricity which will come into effect from the 16 November 2012.

Customers will see their gas and electricity prices rise by 6% which will increase the cost of their overall energy bills by up to £80 per year.

As energy suppliers usually increase their prices year on year, it is likely that other suppliers will follow the lead of British Gas and also increase their energy prices.

Its rival supplier SSE, also known as Scottish Hydro, Swalec and Southern Electric is already planning to raise prices by 9% which will be in effect from Monday.

According to the bbc.co.uk, Phil Bently of British Gas said "We know that household budgets are under pressure and this £1.50 per week rise will be unwelcome”.

"However, we simply cannot ignore the rising costs that are largely outside our control, but which make up most of the bill."

The rise will not only see homeowners struggling to pay their bills but will also mean that households will feel pressured to cut back on their heating in order to save money this winter.

So, why have the gas and electricity prices gone up?

British Gas have reported that the 85% of the price they charge is completely outside of their control as Britain's North Sea gas supplies are running out and British Gas has to pay the going rate in this competitive global marketplace.

Experts have also explained that British Gas need to account for the investment needed to maintain and upgrade the national grid which delivers energy to our homes. The Government policies that are in place to make sure Britain’s energy is clean and energy efficient also contribute substantially to this price rise.

With over 6 million households expecting to tackle this rise, it is likely that many will be looking to compare the prices between a number of energy suppliers, buy energy saving appliances for the home, or invest in roof or cavity wall insulation which will ensure the heat stays within your home during the winter.

Electric Point has a wide range of energy saving products that can help you to bring down the price of your overall energy bills.  

Are low energy users paying more for their energy?

A recent survey has revealed that homeowners who use less energy are more likely to be paying more for their electricity and gas bills each month.

The study, conducted by Which? has announced that domestic customers who purchase fewer units of energy are paying more than those homeowners who require more units of energy. The survey also suggested that in some cases, low-usage households are paying almost 30% more for gas and electricity than those who use the standard amount of electricity and gas in their homes.

If households that use less energy are being charged more for that usage, it is likely that many people will stop making an effort to be energy efficient within their home. Taking away this incentive for homeowners is likely to have a negative impact on energy conservation, as people will use vast amounts of energy as opposed to monitoring their usage to save money.

Although energy suppliers have attempted to justify the increasing price for low energy-users by stating that energy in the home operates on a fixed cost, it has been questioned why the per-unit cost has also increased to cover the cost of supply.

Which? also revealed that Npower charged low-usage customers the most for their gas bills, whilst E.ON were found to be quoting many different rates, including charging some low-usage customers 34% more per unit.

Despite the fact that low-usage customers are having to pay more, homeowners are still being advised  to contribute to the environment, by trying to save energy on gas and electricity bills.

Electric Point is one of the largest electrical wholesalers in the UK and will help you to save on your energy bills each year by giving you great deals on LED lights and other energy saving products.  Contact them today for more information.

The Best Energy Saving Products to Keep Your Bills Low

Society is always looking for ways to cut back on spending and save money, and with the current financial situation across the UK, the most popular place to tighten your purse strings is your utility bills. These are one of the biggest outgoings for any homeowner so it’s best to know how to save.

Thankfully, there is an extensive range of products on the market to guarantee your bills will be smaller. Here are some of the best energy saving devices available to you.

 

Energy saving light bulbs

One of the most popular products in recent years, and the one most widely used in the home. They are an energy efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to the standard incandescent light bulbs, and although they are more expensive than the traditional ones, they can save up to 75% off your usage.

Occupancy sensors

This is a great method of energy retention. These sensors react to movement within a room, if someone enters the room, the lights will turn on, when they leave, they will automatically turn off. These are great for both families and business premises. You would be surprised how much money can be saved by simply turning out the lights.

Usage monitors

This is a device that assesses the energy usage and can be installed in any room within the home. They give a clear indication of how much energy is being used/wasted so you can address the issue and cut back.

Rainwater harvesting

A trend which is becoming increasingly popular and can save a considerable amount of money. It is the process of retaining rainwater from either a roof or land based source, storing it, cleansing and using it for a variety of things. The most popular are cleaning and laundry, cooking, cleaning the car and for sanitary use. An excellent way to save on your bills.

Solar panels

Although they can be expensive to install, they can considerably decrease your bills. With a lifespan of around 30 years, they can take 50% off your energy bills. They are also wireless, meaning they are unlikely to fail or become damaged and are great for the environment.

4 Great Ways to Keep Your Electrical Bills Down this Winter

With the current financial issues affecting the UK, Christmas approaching and the increase in electricity and heating usage, the winter months can be a financial headache for any homeowner. At this time of year money can be at its tightest so it’s best to know how and when you can save.

This handy guide will give you the tips you need to cut back on your electricity costs this winter.

Shop around

Doing a little research may save you a significant amount of money. Use price comparison websites to compare energy companies and get the best deal for you. Contacting providers personally may also be beneficial as they will be keen to acquire your custom, and may offer discounted deals or special offers.

Evaluate its important

When finances are tight, keeping costs down is crucial and many homeowners would be surprised to discover how much some of their everyday energy appliances use up. Remember to unplug those items when not in use and try to use large appliances with high power usage as sparsely as possible.

Make energy efficient changes

There is an extensive range of energy saving appliances on the market which seriously bring your costs down. Energy efficient light bulbs are one of the most popular items available, and although they may be expensive to purchase, can considerably cut your energy consumption, in some cases as much as 75%. There is also a huge amount of products available that can help to monitor your usage.  Occupancy sensors are a fantastic concept that turns the lights out in any room when it isn’t being occupied. You’d be surprised how much money can be saved by simply turning the lights off.

Use alternative methods

By changing the way you function in the home and the way you use your appliances can keep electricity usage low. Line drying your clothes rather than using a dryer, avoid using the microwave, taking baths instead of showers and keeping windows locked and secure are just some of the many ways you can save in the home.

When it comes to electricity saving, look no further than Electric Point. They have a huge range of energy saving solutions guaranteed to help you save not just in the winter, but all year round.

Six Million Households are set to cut back on heating this Winter

As the colder weather starts to kick in, around 6 million households are planning to reduce the amount of heating they use during the winter months.

According to the telegraph.co.uk, four out of ten households are worrying about the financial impact their energy bills are going to have on their overall spending, whilst 70% of those homeowners are planning to cut down on their heating altogether in order to save money.

This research also highlights that although the Government offers support to fund heating bills through their Warm Front Scheme to support the poorest households, many households are choosing to battle through winter as the funding goes unclaimed, according to Consumer Focus, Citizens Advice, Age UK and the National Children's Bureau.

Organisers behind the Warm Front scheme are suggesting that homeowners worried about paying their heating bills through the winter should see if they are eligible for the scheme, as the Government announced that the scheme was under spent by more than £50m over the past year.

According to the Telegraph.co.uk, Consumer Focus programme director Jonathan Stearn said: "A cold home can damage your health, so it's very worrying that high energy prices are leading so many people to cut back on their heating.

"We want to make sure that as many people as possible are helped to cut their bills and stay warm and well through the Warm Front scheme this year. We would urge anyone struggling with their bills to find out if they can claim free help."

Experts are warning that a cold home can be seriously detrimental to your health so it is wise to keep warm with your heating on for a couple of hours a day, perhaps once in the morning and once in the evening.

As families struggle to cope with the rising energy bills, it is clear that many homeowners should take advantage of the scheme if they are eligible for it or seek additional advice on how to save money on your energy bills.

Electric Point has a wide range of energy saving products that will help you to save money during the cold winter months.