Welcome to the ultimate guide for optimizing your home's energy efficiency. Less waste, lower bills, and a smaller carbon footprint—because smart choices shouldn’t cost the planet.
Upgrade to Energy Star-certified appliances.
Unplug devices when idle or turn off at the power point for quick shutdowns.
Switch to LED bulbs—they use less power and last longer.
Embrace natural light and always turn off lights when leaving a room.
Adjust your thermostat (lower in winter, higher in summer).
Use ceiling fans to improve airflow.
Tint & Seal windows, insulate doors, and deploy curtains strategically for seasonal benefits.
Set your water heater to 49°C.
Insulate water heaters and nearby pipes.
Use timers to align water heating with peak solar hours.
Invest in smart thermostats, plugs, and lighting.
Automate outdoor lights and heavy appliances with timers.
Seal drafts around windows and doors.
Replace/ Clean Air Conditioner filters regularly.
Wash clothes in cold water.
Air dry whenever possible.
Run full loads and use appliances during solar peak hours.
Power Boards can help easily shut down devices that drain energy while idle.
Energy Audits are your Friend
Book a professional energy audit to identify weak points.
Use the Ergon Energy App to monitor and optimize usage.
Contact us for custom solar system setups.
Store excess solar energy with battery systems.
Turn off devices not in use.
Turn off Lights and devices when leaving a room.
Encourage your family to stay energy-aware.
Move high-energy tasks (like pool pumps or air-con) to Tariff 11, and place on a timer to use Solar Power to run them.
Explore off-peak tariffs (e.g., T33) for savings until you can get Solarized!
Well-maintained electrical systems are vital for both safety and efficiency:
Why Proper Wiring Matters:
Reduced Energy Loss: Well-sized and installed wiring minimizes energy loss due to resistance.
Optimized Appliance Performance: Appliances get the power they need, reducing inefficiencies and energy costs.
Longer Equipment Lifespan: Proper wiring prevents premature appliance failures, protecting your investment.
Minimised Voltage Drop: Correctly sized wiring maintains consistent voltage levels, supporting efficient operation.
Understanding the differences between light bulbs can greatly impact energy efficiency.
Incandescent Bulbs (Contains a filament that is heated)
Efficiency: High energy use, with 90% lost as heat.
Lifespan: Around 1,000 hours.
Environmental Impact: High energy consumption, frequent replacement.
CFL Bulbs (Compact Fluorescent Light)
Efficiency: Uses 75% less energy than incandescents.
Lifespan: Between 7,000 and 15,000 hours.
Environmental Impact: Contains mercury, requiring careful disposal.
LED Bulbs (Light-Emitting Diode)
Efficiency: Most energy-efficient, using 80-90% less energy.
Lifespan: 15,000 to 50,000 hours.
Environmental Impact: No hazardous materials, significantly lower energy use.
Electrical safety switches—aka Residual Current Devices (RCDs) or Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCBOs)—aren't just another box in your fuse panel. They're the unsung heroes of your home’s electrical system, designed to stop disasters before they start.
Safety switches monitor current flow like a hawk. The second they detect an imbalance (like current leaking to the ground because someone’s touching a live wire), they cut the power. Instantly. The result? You stay alive. Simple.
Faulty wiring, busted appliances, or overloaded circuits? These are sparks waiting to become infernos. Safety switches shut things down before overheating turns your home into a bonfire.
In Australia, safety switches aren’t optional—they’re mandatory. Building codes and regulations require them for a reason: to keep homes compliant, residents safe, and insurance claims mininmal.
Kids, elderly family members, or anyone with reduced mobility benefit the most from safety switches. These devices act as a second layer of protection when reflexes aren’t enough.
Unlike old-school fuses that need replacing, safety switches are resettable. Trip, fix, reset—back in business with minimal downtime.
Power surges and electrical faults can fry your expensive gadgets. Safety switches disconnect power before your smart TV becomes a very dumb paperweight.
At Bonato Electrical, we don’t cut corners on safety.
Our go-to?
Hager's range of domestic RCBOs: ADC316T, ADA325T, and ADC340T. They’re not just products—they’re peace of mind in a box.
FEATURES THAT MATTER:
6kA Short Circuit Rating: Handles fault currents like a pro.
C-Curve Characteristics: Perfect for general light, power, and motor starts.
Compact Design: Because space in your switchboard is premium real estate.
Neutral Pigtail: Saves cable, time, and headaches.
Pad-Lockable Toggle: Safety meets security.
Free Tripping Mechanism: When it's time to trip, they trip—every time.
Fast Connection Pin/Fork Busbar Comb: Installers, rejoice.
RCM Approved: Meets the highest regulatory standards.
Safety isn’t a luxury—it’s the baseline.
When it comes to fire safety, cutting corners isn’t an option. AS3786:2014 is the Australian gold standard for smoke alarms, laying down the rules for how they should be designed, installed, and maintained. Translation? It’s the benchmark for keeping your home or business safe when seconds count.
It’s simple: a properly designed smoke alarm can save lives. This standard ensures that alarms detect smoke quickly and give you the early warning you need.
Meeting AS3786:2014 means you’re ticking all the right boxes for Australian building codes. No compliance drama, just peace of mind.
Certified smoke alarms aren’t just another gadget—they’re a promise of reliability when you need it most.
Seconds count in a fire. A smoke alarm gives you those seconds.
Many insurers reward homes with compliant smoke alarms. More safety, less expense.
Protect your home, your family, and your sanity with a system that works when it matters most.
The standard covers both types but recommends photoelectric smoke alarms for their superior ability to detect smoldering fires (the kind most common in homes).
Alarms must hit strict sensitivity and response benchmarks while cutting down on false alarms. No one wants the fire alarm going off because of burnt toast.
Whether it’s mains power, batteries, or a combo of both, the standard demands backup options to keep your smoke alarms operational 24/7.
AS3786:2014 maps out exactly where alarms should go—bedrooms, hallways, living areas—to maximize safety coverage.
Regular testing and cleaning are a must. The standard ensures your alarms stay sharp and ready for action
For wired systems, interconnected alarms mean if one goes off, they all go off. It’s an all-hands-on-deck approach to safety.
When it comes to protecting your home, not all smoke alarms are created equal. Red Smoke Alarms isn’t just another brand—it’s a 100% Australian-owned and operated powerhouse dedicated to keeping your family safe.
Local Expertise
Designed with Australian households in mind, Red Smoke Alarms understand the unique needs of our environment.
Certified Quality
Every alarm is certified to AS3786:2014 standards. No shortcuts, just pure reliability.
10-Year Warranty
When Red says long-lasting, they mean it. Enjoy a full decade of worry-free coverage.
Top-Tier Photoelectric Tech
Smarter, faster, and better at detecting smoldering fires.
Queensland Compliance
Red Smoke Alarms meet Queensland’s latest smoke alarm laws, keeping your home legal and, more importantly, safe.
When safety meets innovation, you get Red Smoke Alarms. With local service, certified performance, and a commitment to excellence, Red is the trusted name in Australian fire safety.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Equip your home with Red Smoke Alarms today—because safety isn’t optional.
Protect What Matters Most
Power outages are unpredictable. Your response to them shouldn’t be. Enter the generator changeover switch—a small but mighty device that makes all the difference between chaos and seamless backup power.
No Back-Feeding, No Risks
A changeover switch ensures your generator and the grid never mix, preventing back-feeding electricity that could lead to fires, electrical shocks, or worse.
Simplified Transitions
Forget fumbling with cables. The switch handles the heavy lifting, reducing errors and keeping you safe.
Fast Switchovers
When the grid fails, your changeover switch is ready. Transitioning to generator power becomes effortless, cutting downtime to a minimum.
Zero Manual Labor
Forget unplugging and plugging in cables like it’s the 1990s. The switch does the job for you, minus the stress.
No Surges, No Stress
Changeover switches prevent power surges that could fry your electronics. Think of it as a bodyguard for your appliances.
Smooth Power Flow
No jerky transitions or flickering lights—just stable, uninterrupted energy.
Selective Power Priority
Only want the fridge, Wi-Fi, and lights running? No problem. Choose which circuits get powered and leave the rest turned off.
Meets Electrical Standards
Professionally installed switches check all the boxes for local safety codes. No shortcuts, no legal headaches.
Scalable Solutions
Whether you’re backing up a single room or an entire factory, there’s a switch for that.
Not all EV chargers are created equal. Here’s the quick-and-dirty breakdown to find the one that fits your needs:
Level 1: The Basics
Speed: 4–8 km/hour
Plug Into: Standard outlet (120V)
Perfect For: Overnight charging at home
The Vibe: No extra gear, but slow as molasses. Great for light, daily use.
Level 2: Faster and Smarter
Speed: 20–40 km/hour
Plug Into: 240V charging station (home or public)
Perfect For: Full charges overnight or mid-trip top-ups at malls and offices
The Vibe: Quick, efficient, and worth the upfront cost for home setups.
DC Fast Charging: Road Trip Hero
Speed: 100–300 km in 30 minutes
Plug Into: High-voltage public charging stations
Perfect For: Long trips and quick turnarounds
The Vibe: Fast, convenient, but pricier per charge.
Wireless Charging: The Future is Here
Speed: Slower than Level 2
Plug Into: Nothing—just park on a charging pad
Perfect For: Homes or lots where cables are a hassle
The Vibe: Sleek and convenient, but pricey and still evolving.
Solar Charging: Powered by the Sun
Speed: Depends on your solar setup
Plug Into: Your own solar-powered home grid
Perfect For: Eco-warriors reducing costs and carbon footprints
The Vibe: High initial investment, but sustainably awesome.
What’s Your Move?
Daily Drive? Level 1 or 2 at home has you covered.
Long Hauls? DC fast chargers keep you moving.
Eco Goals? Pair solar with Level 2 for green power and big savings
Ready to keep your solar system running smoothly or tackle that electrical project? Complete our booking form today, and our expert team will get you sorted with reliable, hassle-free service!
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