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Set aside 10 per cent of HomeBuilder stimulus for electrical safety

4 June 2020

Homeowners who qualify for the Federal Government’s home renovation package have been urged to set aside 10 per cent of their budget for electrical upgrades and safety.

Master Electricians Australia CEO Malcolm Richards today welcomed the Federal Government’s stimulus measures but urged homeowners to factor safety and reducing energy bills into their plans.

“Applicants who are eligible for the Federal Government’s HomeBuilder package should set aside 10 per cent of their renovation budget for electrical safety,” Mr Richards said.

“It’s critical an opportunity such as this is not wasted on features that sacrifice safety or energy efficiency.

“Many older houses have old wiring and switchboards that present potential electrical safety risks. Setting aside a small portion of a renovation budget more than pays for itself if it safeguards a homeowner from electrical tragedy.”

Owner-occupiers earning up to $125,000 a year for individuals and $200,000 for couples are now eligible for a Federal Government grant of $25,000 to spend on renovations costing at least $150,000. Work on the renovation must begin between now and the end of the year.

Mr Richards said any measure that saved construction industry businesses and jobs was welcome but urged homeowners not to neglect the need to upgrade electrical safety and energy saving features.

“Installing safety switches on every circuit should be an essential component on any substantial renovation,’’ Mr Richards said. “A safety switch can cut the power to a circuit in less than one 100th of a second – faster than the critical phase of a heartbeat.’’

Homeowners should also consider installing a Smart Home Package, including updating to a Smart Meter and other features such as in-home displays that give a visual indication of how much energy the home is using and what it is costing at any given time.

“A qualified Master Electrician can also advise homeowners on the best energy efficiency package for their home when considering upgrading switches, lighting and wiring,’’ Mr Richards said.

ENDS

Malcolm Richards is available for interview. Please phone The SAS Group on 07 3221 9222 or 0467 792 013.

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