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Why Choose M Howe Electrical Services?We offer a first-class service from start to finish. Check out our 5 Star reviews on Google, Checkatrade and Yell. When you buy a service or product from us, we really care about your custom and pride ourselves on making sure your customer journey is simple, clear, and well communicated from start to finish. Using our in-house fully trained engineers and network of sub-contractors we also offer unrivalled support 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, so you won’t get left stranded when you choose our most comprehensive Priority 24 Support Package.
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Do I need to do anything to prepare?Depending on where some of the items are located in your home, you might need to make some space to be able to access the area.
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Location 1 : 0-15 milesS1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, S12, S13, S14, S17, S74, S40, S41, S43, S49, S18, S32, S60, S61, S62, S63, S64, S65, S66, DN12
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Location 2 : 15-30 milesS71, S72, S73, S75, S42, S44, S45, S33, S80, S81, DN1, DN2, DN3, DN4, DN5, DN6, DN7, DN9, DN10, DN11, NG22, NG18, NG19, NG20, NG21, DE4, DE45, SK17, HD8, WF5, WF1, WF2, WF4
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Our Standard Installation CriteriaExisting Installation The existing light pull switch to be replaced must already be functional and fault finding is not required. See our Full Terms & Conditions to find out more. Online Survey Form You must have completed the online survey form and the information submitted must be accurate and complete. (Please select our standard response service if fault finding is required) The existing installation meets current wiring regulations. The Ceiling Height is not more than 3mtrs from the floor level.
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What if my installation doesn’t meet Std criteria?Don’t worry if your installation does not meet our standard installation criteria. We may need to carry out a site survey. Our in-house engineer will visit your property to look at installation feasibility and key areas relating to your installation including the incoming service pipework, the consumer unit and the light pull switch you require replacing. This is completely free of charge in Locations 1 & 2. If your outside of these locations, there will be a cost of £60 and is subject to availability.
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What areas of my home will you ask to see?Here’s a list of the items/areas we’ll ask to view during your site survey. Electric meter and surrounding area Usually located in a white cabinet on an outside wall of your home Or, inside, perhaps near your front door or under the stairs Water Supply We’ll ask you to locate your water stop tap, which is usually located under the kitchen sink or near your boiler. We’re looking to see whether this supply is bonded. Heating Supply Most homes have a gas supply, so we’ll ask you to show us your gas meter. Or, if you have an oil supply or anything else, we’ll ask to view it.
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Do I need to do anything to prepare?Depending on where some of the items (listed above) are located in your home, you might need to make some space to be able to access this area. If your electric meter is in a locked cupboard, you’ll need the key.
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Choose the Easee One!The Easee One works as both a tethered and untethered charger, so you can decide to leave the cable locked into the charger or store it in your boot. (Cable sold separately). Beautifully compact The Easee One is one of the best-looking and most versatile EV chargers available today, while also managing to remain impressively small and discreet. Dimensions - H256 x W193 x D106mm Universal charging Thanks to the Easee One's smart design and app, you no longer need to choose between tethered or untethered EV chargers - the Easee does both! Prefer a tethered charger (cable permanently attached)? No problem, simply plug the cable into the Easee One and lock the cable in via the Easee app. If you want the flexibility of an untethered unit (no cable attached), then just remove the cable, and plug it in at your own leisure. This also means the Easee One will work with any EV out of the box. Easee 7.5m branded cable sold separately (£239). Other branded cables are also available from our accessories store. WiFi and Mobile Data Easee One connects to the internet through its in-built WiFi connection. This enables over-the-air updates to add new features and make improvements over time. It also includes a 4G mobile connection for improved internet connectivity and reliability. Choice of colours The Easee One is available with three colour options as standard: Black, White, and Anthracite Grey You can purchase other faceplate colours, such as Blue or Red for £35.00 from our accessories store. These faceplates are easily swapped with no professional help. 7kW power output The Easee One is capable of charging your vehicle at up to 7kW, which will provide around 30 miles of range per hour depending on your vehicle. Cable security You can permanently lock your cable into the Easee, removing the fear that someone might remove it. An Easee branded cable can be bought separately for (£239), or you can buy different branded 5m and 10m cables from our accessories page. Built-in earthing protection Some charge points require the installation of a copper earth rod, or alternative device, at your property for safety reasons. But this can also add complexity and extra cost to the job. The Easee One avoids the need for this thanks to its built-in PEN fault detection feature. Future proofed Easee One can be easily expanded as your EV household grows by "daisy-chaining" up to three chargers. The Easee One will share power evenly between up to three units on the same circuit, so your EVs get their fair share of charge. Cyber Security compliant The Easee One meets the latest standard in EV charger cyber security regulations, which came into force on 31st December 2022. It means that the Easee One has anti-tamper detection and all-round better data security. Learn more about the regulations in our EV charger cyber security guide. Full Control – Home or away The Easee app gives you access to a range of smart features including charge scheduling. Plan your charging Charge your EV on your terms. Simply plug in and charge straight away or set up a schedule so your vehicle charges at specific times - for example, when your electricity prices are lower. Real-time monitoring See the charge status of your car, monitor your energy consumption and more. Remote lock/unlock Concerned about charger security? Don't be - the Easee app lets you remotely "lock" the charger to prevent unwanted use. Cable lock/unlock If you want to set up your Easee One as a "tethered" device and keep the cable (sold separately) in place, you can lock it in place using the Easee app. Alternatively, unlock the cable to store it in your car boot or home. Over-the-air updates The Easee app is regularly updated with improvements and new features, so your Easee product gets better and better over time.
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Can I get a Type 1 version of the Easee One?No, but the Easee One has a universal socket which will work with a Type 1 cable and therefore a Type 1 electric vehicle. This is because the Easee can operate as both a tethered (cable attached) or untethered (socket only) charge point. If you have a Type 1 vehicle, simply order a Type 1 EV charging cable, and plug it into the Easee and your vehicle.
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Can I get a longer cable for the Easee One?The Easee One does not come with a cable as standard. You can order a Type 2 Easee branded cable (7.5m) separately for £239. Type 1 cables are unfortunately not available. Or you can order EV charging cables from our accessories shop which you can still use with your Easee unit. You can order Type 2 EV charging cables directly our accessories shop, including a longer 10-metre cable.
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Is there a 22kW version of the Easee One?Yes. If you have a three-phase electricity supply at home, then a charger that offers a charging rate of up to 22kW could be a great option for you. The Easee Charge is identical to the Easee One in every way except it is also capable of 22kW three-phase charging for a faster EV charge.
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Is the Easee One “weather-proof”?Yes. It has IP54 certification, plus 11 sensors and intelligent temperature measurement to keep you and your home safe. It is also designed and built in Norway, so the Easee should be able to cope with the good-old British weather.
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Can I get the Easee One in different colours?Yes. The Easee One come delivered with a black faceplate as standard, but you can order different colours separately. Plus, the faceplate is easily changed so you won't need an electrician to do this. Available colours include white, black, grey, red, and blue. These can be purchased separately for £35.00.
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What is the warranty for the Easee One?There is a three-year warranty on the Easee One supplied by Easee. Any issues under warranty should be dealt with by Easee direct unless you are an MHE Support customer.
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Our Standard Installation CriteriaCable Route (We’ll surface run up to 15 metres of cable) Parking (The property must have private off-street parking) Wall Penetration (We will penetrate up to 3 internal walls) Chargepoint Fixing (The Chargepoint must be fixed permanently to an external wall) Groundworks (The installation must not have any groundworks) Completed Online Survey Form (To Skip This Please Book a standard site survey) See our Full Terms & Conditions to find out more.
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What if my installation doesn’t meet the standardDon’t worry if your installation does not meet our standard installation criteria. We may need to carry out a site survey. Our in-house engineer will visit your property to look at installation feasibility and key areas relating to your installation including incoming supply, the best cable route, and the charge point location. This is completely free of charge in Locations 1 & 2. If your outside of these locations, there will be a cost of £60 and is subject to availability.
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More Than 10 Circuits or Your Unsure How Many YouEach of the above options is based on one Distribution Board and up to 10 Circuits however don’t worry if you have more in your property or are unsure how many you have. Choose one of two bolt on options above if you have more than 10 Circuits. Please keep reading to find out more. Distribution Boards (Otherwise known as consumer units or fuse boards) come in various shapes and sizes but you can expect them to look something like the picture below. Distribution boards are made up of miniature circuit breakers (MCB’s). Counting these will tell you the number of circuits present at your home or business. They may be all in a single board or several boards in different locations. Please Note. You do not need to count the separate residual current device (RCD) switches or the red double-width main switches in this. On some boards, there will be triple width breakers known as 3-phase breakers. These also need to be included in your count, as 3-phase circuits. Still Unsure? If your still unsure, contact us on our Live Chat feature on our website, or give us a call on 0114 242 2939. You can even send us a message on Whatsapp 07769675753 or send us an email: info@mhoweelectrical.co.uk
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What’s The Difference Between the Three Options?Essentially the main difference between the three options we offer is the thoroughness of the visual inspection of accessories. (Sockets, Switches, Light Fittings etc…). As a minimum our engineers will visually inspect 10% of your installation however this Basic option is usually reserved for installations we have previously inspected and tested in the past or for properties our engineers visit on a regular basis. The Standard Option is our most popular choice which also comes with a Free Re-Test and Re-Issue of certification following repair works we may have carried out on the back of a previous inspection and test. For complete peace of mind our most comprehensive inspection and test, The Pro option also comes with the Re-Labelling of your consumer unit (if required) and benefits from a free re-test and re-issue of certification.
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How Often Should I Have This?Are you a homeowner? Did you know that it is recommended that your electrics are tested once every 10 years? For Landlords it’s recommended every 5 years or change of occupancy. Here at M Howe Electrical Services, safety checks are a speciality of ours. Please see the below for some more information designed to explain more about them and why you should choose us to carry this out for you.
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Why Should I Get an Electrical Safety Check?In the same way that you get an MOT for your car, or your boiler serviced, it’s important to remember to get your electrics checked. For homeowners or Landlords, these tests determine the safety and condition of the wiring within your home or rented accommodation. As well as the 10-year rule, if you find your home is showing signs of wear and tear you should consider having an electrical test. These signs might include burning smells, sparking, flickering lights or irregularities with sockets. If this is the case, you should have the test carried out urgently. Perhaps you own a business or you’re a landlord, subsequently you have a legal obligation to have your electrics maintained. Therefore, if you fail to comply, insurance companies could use this as a reason to refute any claims. In 2020, the legal requirements changed therefore landlords must get a new electrical safety report every 5 years or sooner if recommended. It’s essential to stay safe when using electricity and safety checks are very important.
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Preparing For the VisitIf you decide to get the safety test carried out, there are a few ways you can help by preparing before an electrician arrives. Your electrician needs to turn the power off before working on the wiring. Therefore, you won’t be able to use any electrical gadgets whilst the work takes place. Consequently, if you work from home, it’s probably better to go out for a while and work somewhere else if you can. Your electrician needs access to all lights, sockets, and light switches, along with the consumer unit or fuse board. Therefore, please clear the areas where they will need to work before, they arrive. If you have a prepayment electric meter, you must ensure there is enough credit on it for a safety check to be completed. Unplug as many appliances as possible including your TV and Fridge. Remember, it is your responsibility to plug them back in after the electrics have been tested.
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How Long Will It Take?An electrical safety check takes between 3-4 hours to complete. Nevertheless, this depends on the size of the property and the number of circuits that need testing. It’s worth noting that if you own a business it is your responsibility to ensure that the electrical system is constructed in such a way that prevents danger. Equally important is to ensure that the electrical systems are maintained. This includes a fixed inspection every 5 years. Failure to comply could lead to prosecution or a fine. Subsequently, it is in your interest to get a safety check complete which only takes between 3-4 Hours.
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What Will the Check Tell Me?The electrician working on your safety test produces a report known as the electrical installation condition report or EICR. This report identifies any damage, deterioration, defects, or conditions which may be dangerous. It determines if the electrics comply with the current British Standard for electrical safety. Finally, it will also include recommendations for improvements. The purpose of a report is to determine whether the installation is safe to continue using. An electrician checks the wiring, the fuse board, earth bonding and all the other parts that you can’t see. It’s not just about whether your lights come on or not.
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Electrical Safety Check CertificateOnce the EICR is complete, we provide you with a certificate outlining the overall condition of the electrical installation. Homeowners, for example, may request a condition report as part of a house sale. It’s always worthwhile having a check done if you are moving into a new home, to see if any work needs to be done. Landlords need to get homes regularly tested to comply with the law. The EICR information is a more detailed report than a visual check which we will look at next.
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Visual InspectionTo begin with, your electrician will visit your property to make a visual inspection. They will then carry out a series of checks on your electrical systems. If a switch or socket is found to be an immediate danger, that’s a ‘code one’ problem. The electrician must fix it there and then or at least make it safe before leaving. ‘Code two’ problems are potentially dangerous, and ‘code three’ problems are recommendations for improvements to appliances deemed unsafe. Essentially, you will know about any dangerous electrics on the very first visit.
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How You Can Make Your Electrics SaferMoreover, there are many things you can do to make your home or business safer. These include: Making sure any bulbs are the correct wattage for the fitting on lamps or lights. Ensuring any portable heaters are stable and at least 90cm away from curtains and other combustible materials. Checking the leads on your kettle, iron, and other portable appliances to make sure they haven’t frayed. Here at M Howe Electrical Services, we can also carry out Portable Appliance Testing. Checking that only the outer sheath of cables is showing on plugs. Wherever possible, unplugging appliances if not in use or turning lights and appliances off. This saves wear and tear of your equipment. Making sure that appliance leads do not come into contact with hot or wet surfaces at any time.
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What Happens Next?Once you have placed your order with us either online or over the phone, we will give you a fixed time slot for the inspection to be carried out. This is usually a 4 Hour slot however some larger properties/Installations may take longer. Upon completion of the test and inspection our engineers will complete the certification using online software. They will also complete a quotation form for any observations noted enabling us to provide you with a fixed price quotation to bring your installation into a satisfactory condition. Please allow up to 5 Working Days from the completion of your inspection for our engineer and qualified NICEIC supervisor to complete your certification and subsequent quotation should there be any observations found.
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What is Emergency Lighting?Emergency lighting is lighting for an emergency situation when the main power supply is cut, and normal electrical illumination fails. The loss of mains electricity could be the result of a fire or a power cut. Without emergency lighting this could lead to sudden darkness and possible danger to occupants, either through physical danger or panic. Emergency lighting is normally required to operate fully automatically and give illumination of a sufficiently high level to enable all occupants to evacuate the premises safely. Most new buildings have emergency lighting installed during construction; the design and type of equipment being specified by the architect in accordance with current Building Regulations and any local authority requirements. The British Standard provides the emergency lighting designer with clear guidelines to work to. BS 5266-1 relates not only to hotels, clubs, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and colleges, licensed premises, offices, museums, shops but also multi-storey dwellings. Although the standard recommends the types and backup durations for each category of premises, it should be remembered that standards define a minimum requirement and that a higher specification may be required for a particular application. Emergency Lighting automatically comes on when the power supply to the normal lighting provision fails. Emergency lighting is a general term and is sub-divided into emergency escape lighting and standby lighting. Emergency escape lighting – that part of an emergency lighting system that provides illumination for the safety of people leaving a location or attempting to terminate a potentially dangerous process beforehand. It is part of the fire safety provision of a building and a requirement of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Standby lighting– that part of an emergency lighting system provided to enable normal activities to continue substantially unchanged. This guide does not include standby lighting as it is not a legal requirement and is a facility that may or may not be needed, depending on the use and occupancy of the premises. Emergency escape lighting is itself sub-divided into escape route lighting, open area lighting and high-risk task area lighting. Escape route lighting – identifies the escape route and keeps it sufficiently lit. This includes illuminated fire exit signs but also emergency lighting such as emergency lighting bulkheads. Emergency Exit Light Open area lighting (in some countries known as anti-panic lighting) – ensures that there is sufficient illumination to allow the occupants of a building to reach a place where an escape route can be identified. Bulkhead emergency lighting High risk task area lighting – that part of an emergency escape lighting system that provides illumination for the safety of people involved in a potentially dangerous process or situation and to enable proper shut-down procedures for the safety of the operator and other occupants of the premises. Consultation and design The first stage of installing emergency escape lighting is consultation and design. The designer, responsible person and fire risk assessor should meet and decide where the escape lighting is required and mark up a plan showing the areas to be covered, the type (power supply), mode of operation, facilities, and duration of emergency lighting to be provided in an emergency. Type (power supply) Self-Contained – Single Point Advantages: The installation is faster and cheaper. Standard wiring material may be used. Failure of mains supply due to c