Can my old switchboard handle an EV charger?
Sometimes. A newer board with circuit breakers and RCD protection is a good start, but we also need a free slot for the charger’s circuit and enough supply coming into the house to run it alongside everything else. Still on ceramic fuses? Then the board almost always has to go first. We check all of this when we quote, so you won’t hit a surprise halfway through.
How do I know if my switchboard needs replacing?
Pop the cover off. If you see ceramic fuses, that’s your answer. Those boards went in long before anyone had a heat pump or an EV, and most of the ones we find around St Heliers have no RCD safety switches at all. Your nose and ears help too. A faint buzz or a warm, plasticky smell near the board means something’s getting hotter than it should, so ring us that day. And if the breaker trips every time the oven and heater run together? Also worth a call.
Why is my heat pump blowing cold air in heating mode?
That'll be the defrost cycle. We hear this one every winter. Overnight, the unit outside gets a layer of frost on it, so your heat pump stops for a few minutes to clear it. If it drags on, clean the filters and check the remote isn't set to cool. Still cold? Give us a call.
Why has my hot water cylinder stopped heating?
Usually it's the element, the thermostat or the ripple relay (the switch that lets the lines company turn your cylinder off at peak times). Have a quick look at your switchboard for a tripped breaker first. Nothing obvious? Leave the cylinder cover on and call an electrician. There's 230 volts behind it.
Do you offer free quotes in St Heliers?
Yep, quotes are free. Send a quick note about the job into our booking form or just ring us. One small favour, snap a photo of your switchboard, or the label on the side of your heat pump. It cuts out the guesswork (and a few phone calls).
What areas near St Heliers do you cover?
We're just round the corner on Atkin Avenue in Mission Bay, so getting to St Heliers takes us about as long as a flat white. Kohimarama, Glendowie and Orakei are on our patch too. You'll find us working weekdays, 7:30am till 5pm. A bit further out? Ring us anyway.