Every business owner knows that managing the bottom line is essential for success. When a facility needs repairs or upgrades, it is often tempting to look for the most affordable option. However, when it comes to your power supply, the cheapest option is rarely the safest one.

Electrical work requires precision, legal compliance, and a deep understanding of safety standards. While a local handyman or unverified freelancer might offer a lower rate, the risks often outweigh the savings. For established businesses, hiring professional electricians in Glasgow is an investment in safety, reliability, and peace of mind.

The Critical Importance of Safety and Compliance

Electrical systems in commercial and industrial environments are complex. They carry higher loads and power critical infrastructure compared to typical home setups. A simple mistake can lead to equipment failure, fire hazards, or serious injury.

Professional contractors prioritise safety above all else. At Gillespie & McLean, our team operates strictly according to BS7671 18th Edition regulations. This is the national standard for electrical installations in the UK. When you hire a professional, you ensure that every wire, fuse, and circuit meets these rigorous legal safety requirements.

The Value of Accreditation

How do you know if an electrician is truly qualified? The answer lies in accreditation. Reputable electrical companies in Glasgow will always hold memberships with governing bodies.

We are proud to be SELECT Approved Electrical Contractors. This membership is not just a badge. It proves that our work is regularly inspected and that our technical skills are up to date. Freelancers often lack this level of oversight. Without accreditation, you have no guarantee that the work is compliant or safe.

The Risks of Hiring Unverified Freelancers

The gig economy has made it easier to find freelancers for various tasks, but electrical work is not the place to take chances. Hiring an unverified individual carries significant risks for your business.

First, there is the issue of accountability. If a freelancer performs faulty work and then disappears, you are left with the bill for repairs. Second, insurance is a major factor. Professional contractors carry the necessary liability insurance to protect your property. If an uninsured freelancer causes damage, your business could be liable for the costs.

Comprehensive Services and Reliability

Established contractors offer more than just quick fixes. They provide comprehensive support that keeps your business running smoothly. Whether you need emergency lighting testing, fire alarm installation, or full industrial rewires, a professional team has the manpower and expertise to handle it.

As a leading electrical contractor in Scotland, Gillespie & McLean has served clients since 2003. We provide detailed documentation, such as Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), which are vital for insurance and safety audits. A freelancer simply cannot offer this level of long-term support and compliance paperwork.

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

Your electrical infrastructure is the backbone of your operations. It powers your lights, your security systems, and your IT networks. Trusting this system to electricians in Scotland who are fully trained and accredited ensures that you avoid unexpected downtime and legal headaches.

Choosing a professional contractor means choosing accountability. It means knowing that help is just a phone call away if an emergency strikes. Don’t gamble with your business safety. Invest in a team that brings decades of experience and a commitment to quality.

Ready to upgrade your electrical safety?

Ensure your business is compliant, safe, and powered for success. Contact the team at Gillespie & McLean today.

Visit our website to get started

The post Why Businesses in Glasgow Choose Professional Electrical Contractors Over Freelancers first appeared on Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services LTD | Electrical Contractors Glasgow and is written by Brian Gillespie.

Electrical Installation Condition Report

EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a formal document produced after an assessment of a property’s electrical installation. 

Regular checking of the condition of your home’s electrics should be carried out, just like an MOT for your car. As a result, any flaws or defects that require improvement can be identified and the installation can continue to function properly keeping you & your loved ones safe.

This work must be done by a licensed electrician who is experienced and qualified. A person with this type of experience usually has taken a course in periodic inspection and testing, is registered with the JIB or a scheme like the NICEIC, and has good working knowledge and experience of electrical installations.

Our team of electricians based in Glasgow have extensive experience & regular training in EICR’s. For all your Inspection & Testing requirements, contact Gillespie & McLean today.

As far as is reasonably practicable, the purpose of an EICR (also known as a periodic inspection and testing of an electrical installation) is to ensure that the installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued use.

What Are EICR Used For?

Homeowners might request an EICR for many reasons, and they are highly recommended when proof of a safe electrical installation is required. The most common reason for requesting an EICR is for rented accommodation, as it is the most straightforward and least time-consuming way to prove the safety of an electrical installation.

A home’s electrical installation should also be checked every 10 years for any signs of deterioration, though there are reasons why you may need to have one done more frequently. Examples include:

Installation age (the older an installation is the more often it ought to be EICR)

Property type. For a property with a swimming pool, the interval between an EICR is 1 year, however, only the part of the installation relating to the pool would need to be assessed.

Environmental Conditions

Vandalism or misuse of the installation

Change in the use of the domestic premises. An example includes changing the occupant of a rental property, preparing a property to sell, or purchasing a property. Every time a property is occupied by a new tenant, an EICR should be performed to ensure the safety of the property. The best way to discover if electrical work will need to be done on a property that is being purchased is to request an EICR.

Any concerns the householder has about the condition of their electrical installation.

An EICR is not legally required, but they provide peace of mind that a home is electrically safe and are not expensive to perform. EICRs should be carried out at the recommended intervals, just as a boiler service would be every year. The cost of yearly EICRs is extremely low compared to the cost of a boiler service or an annual car service. An EICR, however, could save a substantial amount of money by detecting potential problems before they become costly.

EICRs usually consist of a series of electrical observations and recommended codes. The observations describe defects or omissions in the electrical installation. Each observation will be assigned a severity level by the electricians. We will write observations in a clear manner and do not intend them to be a sales tool. Customers who wish to have competitive quotes for the works recommended can then do so.

What will an EICR tell me? 

A home Electrical Installation Condition Report will provide a comprehensive assessment of the electrical system in your home and determine whether it meets the British Standard for Electrical Safety (BS 7671). 

As required by BS 7671, it incorporates a variety of observations and makes recommendations relating to improvements that may be necessary or beneficial in your home to improve safety. 

After the EICR has been completed, the registered contractor will provide you with a certificate describing the overall condition of the electrical installation. 

In general, an EICR will provide codes based on the condition of the installation. The following classifications are used: 

C1 – This code indicates a danger, requiring immediate remedial action. This installation poses an immediate danger to those using it. 

Code C2 – While this code indicates, at the time of inspection, a deficiency did not appear to be dangerous but might pose a real and immediate threat should the installation or connected equipment fails or another risk arises. 

Code C3 – A deficiency that is observed but is not considered to be a source of immediate or potential danger, but improvements to the installation will enhance safety in significant ways. 

There is no obligation to have any of the issues fixed, though it is recommended that you take action as soon as possible to rectify any C1 and C2 problems. Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services can carry out domestic & commercial Electrical Installation Condition Reports in Glasgow and throughout the U.K. 

Reasons to ensure your EICR is up to date

Safety should always come first. Regular testing will provide you with peace of mind that your workplace is safe for you and your staff and that the likelihood of injury due to electrical shock or fire has been reduced.

Being compliant with the building code. By keeping your EICR up to date, you demonstrate to your customers and partners that you understand the need to remain compliant with The Health and Safety Act 1974 and The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

Insurance. Electrical testing is becoming a regular requirement for some insurance companies. An EICR certificate may be required should you wish to make a claim based on an electrical fault. Make sure you’re aware of the insurance requirements by reading your policy.

Efficient use of energy. In addition to confirming that your electrical equipment is safe, an EICR will also point out areas where you can improve the system to reduce your electricity use, which in turn will have a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Save money. Your business can save money by reducing its energy consumption. Identifying faults early allows them to be corrected before they accelerate and cause further damage.

Conclusion

As far as is reasonably practicable, the EICR or periodic inspection confirms whether the electrical installation is fit for service or not.

If you have any queries regarding an EICR please contact us today and we will be happy to help. 

Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services LTD proudly serving Glasgow & the U.K since 2003.

The post Electrical Installation Condition Reports first appeared on Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services LTD | Electrical Contractors Glasgow and is written by Brian Gillespie.

Have you been concerned about your electrical services recently? Do they keep you up at night wondering if they are safe? Have one of our highly qualified and trustworthy electricians inspect your fuse board and test your electrics at your home or workplace. 

If your home or business still uses an old consumer unit to distribute electricity with cartridge or rewireable fuses, it’s time to upgrade and keep everybody safe. With new regulations requiring consumer units to be constructed of metal to prevent fire from spreading easily in case of an electrical fault. 

These new consumer units are fitted out with the latest technology using RCD’s (Residual-current devices) & MCB’s (Miniature Circuit Breakers) to detect any faults within a fraction of a second and kill the electricity supply. 

Making these changes will instantly improve the level of protection of your property and those who are inside. Upgrading your consumer unit can be the difference between life and death. Not only from fires but electrocution too. Check out our article on Electrical Fire Safety.

Other reasons to upgrade your Consumer Units are:

Addition of Circuits To The Original Installation. 

Adding new circuits to the original installation can result in your consumer unit being over-loaded. Especially if you have added a large extension that draws a large amount of power. This would highly increase the chances of an electrical fire due to cables not handling the load and beginning to melt. Old consumer units aren’t equipped with the technology to detect these faults with the same precision as the latest technology can. 

Installing An Extension, New Bathroom or Kitchen. 

If you’re lucky enough to be upgrading a part of your home with a new extension, bathroom or kitchen or all 3, you really should consider the condition of your electrics beforehand. Even if the excitement makes it easy to dismiss the concern, you need professional advice on whether or not your current electrical system can handle the planned work. We provide extensive Electrical Installation Condition Reports as part of our electrical services. Contact Our Team today if you have any concerns. 

The fusebox is very old and made of WOOD (extremely dangerous)

Electrical fires are serious and they can go from 0-100 real fast. Imagine your consumer unit is made of wood and there is a loose connection that’s sparking, heating up then ignites. It’s a no brainer, you would want a metal consumer unit in those circumstances. There are over 20,000 house fires caused by electricity in the U.K every year and sadly 46 deaths as a result. If your consumer unit is made of wood or plastic it is time to do the smart thing and upgrade. Metal Consumer units can and have saved lives. Protect your family, friends and colleagues by upgrading your electrics. 

Your Electricity Keeps Cutting Out

Working from home has become the new normal in the past 15 months. With Zoom meetings every day, important deadlines and reports to write… the last thing you would want is for your electricity to go out and fall behind. (Unless you are not busy of course, sorry boss!) Or perhaps the electricity has a habit of tripping when you’re cooking your dinner, away to use the shower, use a specific socket… these are all signs that you need to upgrade your electrical services. Contact Gillespie & McLean Today and find out what Electrical Services we can provide for you! 

The Consumer Unit Contains Hazardous Material

Asbestos was a widely used material in the 1900s because of its fire-retardant characteristics and cheap manufacturing costs but was banned in the year 2000. Asbestos flash guards were commonly used in fuse boards back in the day. When disturbed, microscopic asbestos fibres will cling to the inside of your lungs when breathed in and slowly start to deteriorate your lungs causing different types of cancer. Asbestosis can take up to 30 years to take effect. This is why it takes a trained specialist to remove asbestos while taking all the correct safety precautions to ensure no damage is caused or any asbestos is left remaining. 

How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade Consumer Unit?

Generally, a consumer unit upgrade will range from £350 to £600. Factors that come into consideration are the number of circuits, accessibility, age of the property and type of consumer unit being installed. 

How Long Does It Take To Upgrade A Consumer Unit?

Again, this will depend on the accessibility of the consumer unit and the number of circuits involved. Our team of electricians in Glasgow can carry out a consumer unit upgrade with testing & certification between half a day and one full day. During which we will also inspect your properties water & gas earth bonding.

Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services are Select Approved Contractors in Scotland and serve the whole of the U.K. If you have any concerns or questions you would like answered please contact our friendly team today on 01698 740 924 or by using our Contact Form.

The post Electrical Services – Five Reasons To Upgrade Your Consumer Unit first appeared on Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services LTD | Electrical Contractors Glasgow and is written by Brian Gillespie.

Need An Electrician Glasgow to Install E.V Charger? 5 Reasons About E.V

Despite the title of this article, electric cars have become an increasingly common sight on the roadways, and this doesn’t just count your personal passenger cars. Electric trucks, transit buses, and school buses are all set to hit the road! Suffice to say, electric cars are already the present, so there is undoubtedly no reason to doubt why electric cars are the future! We are a team of Electrician Glasgow that can help install E.V charging points at your home or workplace! Contact us today. 

These eco-friendly vehicles have grown in popularity and become more prevalent than they were 10 years ago, along with a 40 percent year-on-year increase. This significant increase stems from a combination of a broadening choice, a rise in demand, and the increasing variety of brilliant incentives driving more organizations towards making electric cars a fleet option. 

An electric fleet is viable for any company, which means there are plenty of reasons why a strategic switch to electric vehicles can represent the best vision of the future. In addition to the environmental implications, these electric vehicles (EV) can be found in an impressive range of budget-friendly and luxury options and come with an array of benefits which we discuss ahead.

5 Reasons Why EV Cars are the Future

Electric cars use electricity, obviously. As a result, they generate less CO2 emissions than conventional cars. The governments and automotive industry across the globe aim to stimulate a worldwide shift towards electric vehicles as they’re greener and more beneficial. 

Several industry observers believe we have already gone past the tipping point where the EV car sales will speedily overwhelm diesel and petrol cars, and there are reasons for it. Let’s five into 5 primary reasons for electric vehicles becoming mainstream and will soon be the ultimate ride of the future. 

1. Government incentives are boosting production 

Government agencies worldwide have and will continue providing policy-driven funding for the production and adoption of electric cars. The primary government incentive is to minimize CO2 emissions to achieve a greener future and create a world where zero-emission cars are the standard norm. 

Conventional cars harm the environment due to fuel consumption and consequently emitting CO2, which causes air pollution. On the other hand, hybrid care products significantly reduced CO2 emissions while electric cars produce none. Hence, some countries like Norway have already started making pledges to decrease the sales of internal combustion engine cars. 

2. Cost benefits in the long run

While it is well understood that batteries run out and call for replacement after some years, electric cars are still relatively cheaper than cars that run on diesel or petrol. Electrical motors comprise lesser parts than fuel-based engines. 

Since this results in lesser wear and tear, they will need less servicing, and you can significantly save up on car-repairing costs. On top of this, many countries have started adopting business grants and tax incentives for electric vehicles. Our cost-effective installations by our Electrician Glasgow team will save you money in the long run. 

Of course, fuel is the most significant cost-saving factor which makes EV cars worth investing in. As resources are expected to run out in the future, the oil prices will continue to escalate, and people will continue facing incessant fuel tax charges. 

However, you won’t have to go through such issues with an electric car. As opposed to a diesel or petrol car, it is estimated that driving an EV car saves £100 per 1,000 miles. Moreover, you can simply charge your EV car at home with a home charging unit, which does require installing costs but is still incredibly affordable. 

3. A more pleasurable driving experience

The first thing most people observe in electric vehicles is how quiet they are. Moreover, electric cars provide an instant turning force, making them incredibly enjoyable and fun to drive. EV cars also have a lower centre of gravity. 

As a result, this gives you both safety and driving perks. When it comes to driving, electric cars offer better steering and grip while taking turns. With regards to safety, electric vehicles have a significantly lesser chance of rolling over. Talking about safety, our highly trained team of electrician Glasgow can install your E.V point with safety guaranteed.

In addition, the absence of fuel indicates your car’s at a lesser risk of exploding or catching fire. On top of all this, electric vehicles that are being rolled off the assembly lines presently offer you the best of luxury and safety. They come with the most cutting-edge features and specs and are built to handle collisions more efficiently. 

4. Fossil fuels are not sustainable.

It has been speculated that roughly in about 53 years or even less, the world will run out of fossil fuels. This means there are limitations on how long people can still function the way they’re currently doing before these fundamental resources become scarce and the prices become sky-high. 

Eventually, there will come a time in the future when there won’t be enough resources to go around. If this happens and things don’t change for good, many industries worldwide will crash. This is why several companies and policy-makers are implementing a switch to electric cars. 

Quite evidently, this also indicates that electricity generation has to change and turn a new leaf. Most countries have begun to ban coal power plants. They are instead opting for more sustainable options that bode well for the foreseeable future. This further indicates that electric cars really don’t have a likelihood of running short of “fuel” resources anytime shortly. If you want to ditch the fossil fuel motor and swap it for an electric car, our team of expert electrician Glasgow can help install a home charging station. 

5. Public and larger transport vehicles are making a shift

Consumer vehicles are not the only segment in the market that will get an influx of EV car options. Quite evidently, the adoption of electric vehicles in the commercial and public sectors is pretty slow as it is costly to replace the current infrastructures. 

However, the long-term cost and the health and environmental benefits of switching to electric cars drive both industries in this direction. 

The Installation of EV Charging Points for Domestic and Commercial Use

Having a safe and easy-to-access charging point is vital in the day-to-day lives of electric car users. Between 2014 till 2018, the number of electric vehicle charging points doubled in the United Kingdom. However, the number of EV cars increased by 7 times. 

As a result, installing more charging points in public places and homes is bound to boost the accessibility for all existing and potential electric car vehicles. We have a team of electrician Glasgow ready to install car charging points throughout the whole of the U.K. 

While the demand for electric cars continues to grow, one of the most significant issues preventing the efficient growth and charging of electric cars is having access to EV charging points. 

These electric cars cover relatively shorter distances than fuel options before needing to get charged again. Resultantly, there is a need to install more EV charging points for commercial and domestic use to shift towards a greener future. 

Supporting Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations 

As of February 2021, approximately 14,000 electric car charging spots were reported across the United Kingdom, offering over 22,000 charging devices and more than 38,000 charging connectors. 

The number of charging locations and devices continues to increase rapidly, and there are many government schemes aimed at boosting the usage of electric vehicles. 

The charging levels of electric vehicles have been a significant critic for individuals while pondering their decision over buying an EV. Owners of electric cars are considering installing charging points at home. Thanks to the government’s initiatives, there is significant help and support for them to do it.  

The Office for Zero-Emission Vehicles (OZEV) is also providing sufficient grants to aid the use of electric cars on a broader scale. The EV Homecharge Scheme offers up to 75 percent of the charging-point installation costs (up to a total of £350) at domestic properties. 

On the other hand, the Workplace Charging Scheme provides up to £350 per socket (up to 40 sockets at max) for commercial properties. This gives both businesses and homeowners an excellent incentive to shift towards electric cars and reap the many benefits they offer. 

If you need electrical vehicle charging stations to install, contact us today. Our team of highly skilled electrician Glasgow can get the job done seamlessly. 

The Future of Electrical Vehicles and EV Charging

After considering all things, we can say that conventional fuel-based vehicles are not what individuals will be driving in the future. At present, electric cars have a significantly high chance of being the ultimate choice of car 20 years from now. 

Given the speed at which the world is advancing, we might reach a point shortly where there won’t even be a need to plug our electric cars into a socket to recharge the battery. The roads can probably charge your vehicle for you in the future. 

For some time now, trials have already been underway to examine the possibility of novel technology rooted in the roads that can charge EV car batteries. But for now, we’ll have to settle down with finding an electric car charging point when you need to charge your car. However, the future certainly holds more possibilities. If you need an electric car charging station installed at your workplace or home, we have a team of Electricians Glasgow ready for you. 

There will be more efficient batteries and productive ways of acquiring the power source we need to stay on the road. Or, who knows, the automotive industry might suddenly choose to take a completely different direction instead, and someone comes up with an entirely different way to power up cars. 

Need Electricians Glasgow to Install E.V Charger? Contact Us Today.

Check out our post on: Electrical Fire Safety & How Businesses Can Save On Energy Costs

The post Need An Electrician Glasgow to Install E.V Charger? Here’s 5 Reason Electrical Cars Are The Future first appeared on Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services LTD | Electrical Contractors Glasgow and is written by Brian Gillespie.

Running a business is difficult in itself. However, it tends to become even more challenging when you begin to think of all the various costs you will bump into during start-up. Employee salaries and incentives, rental space, product promotion, etc., are just a handful of factors that significantly impact the company budget and need to be considered. One of the last things on your mind is probably how to save on energy bills. Good news, we’ll tell you the easy way’s on how-to!

However, what most people don’t take into consideration is the costs of efficiency and energy while operating a business. Business energy costs are bound to be costly, especially when your business is operational throughout the day, your employees are working for long periods, or are consuming different sources of energy in abundance.

While providing top quality and standard energy for your customers and employees, you must devise a secure plan to minimize your business energy costs for areas where you most need it. In this comprehensive guide, we look at some of the most effective ways businesses can save on energy costs and lower their carbon footprint to head towards a carbon neutrality status.

The Importance of Cutting Business Energy Costs and Achieving a Carbon Neutrality Status

Most of you probably didn’t know that with the constant consumption of energy within your business, you are unnecessarily adding other costs and emitting additional carbons in your surroundings (known as carbon footprint) which pose significant adverse effects. 

The carbon dioxide (CO₂) that is released into the air due to certain activities performed by individuals, businesses, or the community is referred to as carbon footprint.

A bit of analysis can significantly influence businesses on how they’re managing their energy costs. Most business owners can be surprised with how they operate daily. If you own a business, ask yourself:

• How long do the lights stay on in the office?
• Is the AC/heater always during the summer/winter?
• Do you always keep the lights on in your business?
• Are the lights on or off overnight?

These are some essential questions that all businesses have an idea about when they want to change their energy spending. This will help you examine precisely how you have lost track of the amount of energy you use in your business. 

• The Concept behind Carbon Neutrality

Most organizations and small businesses have already started prioritizing sustainability and are gradually shifting towards a greener future. Recently, there have been many conversations circulating regarding firms attaining the “net-zero” status. 

Becoming a net-zero company and achieving a carbon neutrality status is way cheaper than businesses realize. 

The ultimate way to achieve carbon neutrality status is to first calculate your business’s carbon footprint and reduce it to zero via a combination of in-house efficiency measures and the support of external emission minimization projects.

• UK’s Net-Zero Target

Businesses across the UK need to consider making essential changes in their practices to reduce their carbon footprint. The UK Government has arranged a legally binding net-zero status carbon emissions target for 2050. 

According to a UK Energy Research Centre report, if the net-zero objective is met, the government policies will have to be implemented, and companies will eventually have to make significant changes in their operating practices and business models.

Electrical Contractor Services in Glasgow, Scotland

If you’re looking for a professional, reputable, and trustworthy electrician in Glasgow to help you offset the carbon footprint and minimize your business’s energy costs, you have come to the right place. 

Known to be one of the best Glasgow Electricians, Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services do not compromise on quality and services when it comes to your business.

Gillespie & McLean, based in the Central Belt of Scotland, are Select Qualified Electrical Contractors who take great pride in delivering end-to-end Project Solutions within the Domestic, Commercial, and Industrial Working environments across the United Kingdom. 

Our core specialities include:

• Project Deliverability
• Customer Service
• Staff Wellbeing
• Sustainability
• Health and Safety 

Our utmost goal is to fully invest in our staff to guarantee the highest electrical service standards. Whether you seek help on power and lighting installations, testing and inspection, external lighting, installation of door entry systems, etc., we’ve got your back!

At Gillespie & McLean, we genuinely understand the significance of uptime for businesses. Offering top-notch and premium quality services in all areas of our service offerings is what we continuously strive to do whilst persistently driving efficiencies and improvement in a sustainable way to minimize your energy costs. 

We provide comprehensive electrical packages for our clients in the Domestic, Commercial, and Industrial sectors with a free zero-obligation quote and recommendations on any difficulties that might arise. Whatever business project you have in mind, feel free to contact our team via our Contact Page.

10 Ways Businesses Can Save On Energy Costs

Saving up on energy costs is a team sport and not just the sole responsibility of company owners. As a business owner, you need to inform your employees of the consequences of misusing energy sources and instruct them on effective ways to save on energy. Check out these practical tips and strategies to drastically save on energy costs for your business.

1. Turn off lights when not in use

This is actually a no-brainer. Still, most companies typically tend to keep the lights on in their offices in areas like bathrooms, break rooms, conference rooms, and even in spaces that are not in use. Lights with sensors can effectively keep the lights on when needed and off when the room is not in use. 

2. Invest in energy-efficient office equipment

Before you lease or buy office electronics, you must ensure they are EnergyStar-rated. EnergyStar-rated appliances are deemed and evaluated as energy efficient. This can significantly help businesses save money and efficiently manage their small business costs, particularly in the long run. 

3. Reduce Peak Demand

Another ideal way to save on energy costs and electricity in offices is to minimize the peak demand. This phrase typically refers to those hours of a day in which energy consumption is at its highest. Usually, the peak demand hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, which is the usual office working hours. 

The peak demand during these hours can be reduced by staggering the start times/working hours, running factory equipment or heavy machinery during the early morning or evening hours, and conserving energy during the entire day.

4. Manage energy smartly by programming your thermostats

This is one of the most effective energy-saving tips, particularly for businesses that operate 9-5. There is no need to cool or heat the office space after everybody leaves for home. Even if the working hours vary, use smart or programmable thermostats to easily regulate and efficiently manage the temperature conditions, especially during the “off” working hours.

5. Use natural light

It is an excellent habit to minimize artificial lights throughout the day and make the most of natural lights. Natural sunlight is an efficient, free, easily accessible, and renewable source of energy. 

On the contrary, artificial lights are costly and consume more power. Save the artificial lights when it turns dark or for areas where it’s darker than usual. Less energy indicates businesses have to spend less money on electricity bills. 

6. Change your light bulbs.              

If your company uses incandescent light bulbs, it is best to replace them with more cost-effective and efficient lighting. Energy-efficient light bulbs, particularly ones including halogen bulbs, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), technically use up to 80% less energy than the conventional means of lighting. They also last longer.

7. Minimize paper wastage

Use the printer to only print when it is required. This drastically minimizes the wastage of paper and even helps to significantly cut down the energy needed to run the printer. This ultimately minimizes business energy costs and also extends the life of your printer. 

8. Unplug appliances or use a power strip

It is recommended to unplug all office equipment and appliances when not in use. Known as “energy vampires,” these items will continue sucking up power from every other thing, from food equipment to computers to anything else. 

This kind of energy wastage can be easily avoided by simply unplugging the appliances. Using the on/off switch of a power strip is another effective way for businesses to cut off all power to the equipment.  

9. Install occupancy sensors

Installing occupancy sensors and dimmers in suitable locations to automatically turn off the lights when there is no motion can be helpful. It is vital to install the sensors correctly because even the perfect equipment can be wrongly installed sometimes. 

Hence, don’t install sensors in places with obstructions (e.g., behind a bookcase, door, coat rack, or other furniture) so that it can clearly identify motion.

10. Switch to laptop computers

On average, laptops tend to be more efficient and consume 80% lesser energy than desktop computers. Generally, laptops draw in a maximum of 60 watts, whereas a desktop computer commonly draws in up to 175 watts. 

To maximize your energy savings with a laptop, companies should attach the AC adapter into a power strip which can be easily switched off or will automatically turn off.

6 Incredible Strategies to head towards a Carbon Neutrality Status

No matter how small or big, companies can significantly influence how they function to reduce their carbon footprint. For instance, several changes in the way a business operates can be made to achieve this. As global temperatures keep increasing, companies must work together to minimize each other’s carbon footprint. 

Adjusting your own business to take on more energy-efficient and eco-friendly means of operating and achieving sustainability is one of many ways to minimize harmful carbon emissions. 

To understand what needs to be fixed, you can start with the business carbon footprint calculator to measure your business’s sustainability. After this, you can execute these effective strategies to minimize the carbon footprint for your business to achieve a carbon neutrality status.

1. Go paperless

Statistics from the World Counts indicate that 50% of business wastes constitute paper. This makes it crucial to do your part by minimizing the amount of paper usage in your business. Today’s cutting-edge tools and technology have genuinely eradicated the need to keep and store paper-based records anymore. 

Most of the work (like traditional mails) has already been replaced with electronic emails. So, it is not that complicated to substitute the other paper processes with automated processes, e.g.

• Store and assess your business documents online via tools like Dropbox or Google.
• Use online form creators to streamline and replace paper-based processes such as creating simple contact forms, donation forms, job application forms, surveys, etc.

When your form entries can be stored and accessed all under one place, the need for printing can be eliminated. Also, by virtually storing your conventional paper documents, you can significantly reduce your business’s carbon footprint and better organize your company for enhanced productivity. 

2. Get Green Web Hosting

Were you aware that your website also leaves behind a carbon footprint? Indeed, the most significant internet companies have been called out since 2010 to power their data centres on a renewable energy source. 

Businesses can do their part in minimizing their business carbon footprint by opting for green web hosting. Through this, companies can rest assured that the energy powering their website is coming from a renewable source of energy. 

Creating a site and opting for green web hosting will put you at ease. Your website will have everything that it needs to escalate, including performance, speed, and security, all while being ecologically conscious.

3. Apply the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

The famous principle of the 3 R’s is an absolute must when being “environment friendly” comes into discussion. Just consider how this principle can be applied to every aspect of your company, from business operations and packaging to office supplies. 

What can your business reuse, reduce, or recycle? There is probably an extensive list of things you can implement the 3 R’s on than you think. This won’t only make your business more environment-friendly but will also significantly impact its bottom-line too. 

Thinking about sustainable procurement is a good way of engaging your employees to switch to practices that can minimize the consumption of things like paper, water, packaging, laptops, and phones. 

The manufacturing and transport of these things have an associated carbon footprint. Also, you can reduce printing by switching to digital records. Purchasing refurbished phones and office equipment is also a good way of minimizing the carbon footprint for your company.

4. Practice smart working

Businesses must focus on optimizing office lighting. It is the easiest and most terrific way to cut down their electricity bills and carbon footprint. Switch to energy-efficient lighting like dimmable light fixtures of LED bulbs. 

Install automatic sensors, take maximum advantage of natural lighting, and switch off the lights when not in use to save on energy and prevent the adverse effects of unnecessary exposure to artificial lights and carbon emissions. Get all your lighting upgrades done with Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services to stay on top of your game. 

Make sure you adjust your office temperature settings by a few degrees with altering seasons. Careless thermostat settings and habits can also quickly build up on your carbon footprint in just a matter of a few months. 

The thermostat must be adjusted accordingly when no one is present in the office, such as overnight. Keep a close watch on the cooling and heating systems to significantly reduce your business’s energy costs and carbon footprint. 

Businesses must also invest in top-quality insulation technology like energy-efficient door entry systems. This service is also provided by Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services offers. 

5. Use renewable sources of energy

Another highly effective way to significantly reduce business carbon footprint is to invest in a renewable energy source like wind or solar energy. Various state, local, and federal incentives are available to minimize the costs of renewable energy sources.

6. Maximize energy efficiency

Wasting electricity on office premises is that easy when your employees will be deeply engrossed in getting the work done. With the help of these precautions, business owners can maximize energy efficiency in their office spaces:

• Connect all desk equipment with power strips to ease the switching on and off of all devices.
• Equip energy-efficient models of office equipment like computers, monitors, and printers within your workplace.
• Make yourself familiar with equipment manuals to maximize energy-efficient and prevent deterioration.

If you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint and save on energy costs, speak with Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services today. We will create a tailored plan suited to your businesses specific needs and requirements.

Read our article on Electrical Fire Safety and stay safe at home and in the work place.

We recently carried out a free installation of defibrillators for Bothwell Parish Church and Special Days Cakes in Uddingston.

Need an Electrician Glasgow? Contact Us Today.

The post How Businesses Can Save on Energy Costs and Reduce Carbon Footprint. first appeared on Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services LTD | Electrical Contractors Glasgow and is written by Brian Gillespie.

Gillespie & McLean – Giving Back To The Local Community

Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services are always proud to give back to and help the local community. Recently, we installed defibrillators at Bothwell Parish Church Centre and Special Days Cakes in Uddingston for G71 Action Group, free of charge. 

You might also hear a defibrillator be called a defib, an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) or a PAD (Public Access Defibrillator). 

A defibrillator provides a jolt of electricity to the heart which can help bring back the normal beating rhythm. This straightforward piece of equipment is easy to use and can be the difference between life and death. 

In the case of an emergency, if someone’s heart suddenly stops, these defibrillators could save their lives. Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time. For the best chance of survival, follow these steps: 

1. Call 999 immediately 
2. Start CPR
3. Ask someone to bring a defibrillator if there is one close by
4. Turn on the defibrillator and follow its instructions 

If you would like to read more on how to use defibrillators, have a look at this guide: Resuscitation Centre. 

How do these defibrillators work? 

Once you’ve confirmed your casualty is unresponsive and not breathing,  you must immediately call an ambulance, or ideally get someone else to call 999 for an ambulance while you start chest compression, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The sooner you start CPR the better the casualty’s chance of survival.

When the 999 call is made when possible switch to speakerphone, this lets the trained ambulance personnel talk you through what you need to be doing and give you emotional support.

Once the emergency service knows your location, the operator you speak to will tell you or your helper where the nearest AED is located and how far away it is, they will then give them the key code to unlock the case and enable them to bring the unit to the casualty.

Always remember the Chain of Survival – Early recognition of what’s wrong, early CPR, early Defibrillation and early transfer to professional help.

Read more about our company and have a look at our other news articles! If you have any queries or would like to find out more information about anything, feel free to Contact Us and we will gladly assist you.

Check out our other post on How Businesses Can Save on Energy Costs!

Looking for Electrical Services Glasgow? Contact Us Today!

The post Giving Back To The Local Community – Free Installation of Defibrillators. first appeared on Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services LTD | Electrical Contractors Glasgow and is written by Brian Gillespie.

Gillespie & McLean Health & Safety

Gillespie and McLean monitor any Lost Time Incidents (LTI’s) across our workforce and subcontractors. Since this came into force 3 years ago, we are proud of the companies achievement in that we are 782 man-days and 50,048 labour hours without a Lost Time Incident. This does not mean we stop doing the basics, this means we do the basics more, in order to ensure all management, workforce and sub contactors take responsibility in regard to the Health, Safety & Well Being of themselves and others.

There may well be a general perception that employees’ health and safety does not significantly benefit your business, this is generally inaccurate as it improves the workforce’s productivity, morale and most of all supports their safe wellbeing. At Gillespie & McLean there is a commitment throughout the business to promote and support Health & Safety.

Legal Responsibilities

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states it is a company’s legal responsibility to provide a safe working environment for its employees. Therefore, ensuring your employees’ safety reduces the risk of incidents, legal challenges, lost time, lost revenue and reputational damage.

Take a look at our Electrical Fire Safety guide and keep yourself up to date and stay safe at your work place and home.

If you have any queries or would like more information please contact our main office.

The post Management of Health and Safety first appeared on Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services LTD | Electrical Contractors Glasgow and is written by Brian Gillespie.

Gillespie & McLean Electrical Apprenticeship Scotland

Gillespie and McLean directly employ Apprentices & Adult Trainees from the Central Belt of Scotland, we are committed to the training and development of our future Engineers from the local area, where possible. Apprenticeship training programs are gaining increasing importance in today’s industrial recruitment, they allow individuals to gain a work-based qualification, whilst improving their on-the-job skills and gaining invaluable safety experience in the industry. Electrical Apprenticeship’s in Scotland and other Apprenticeship programs train employees according to industry standards and guidelines, Gillespie & McLean supplement these by closely monitoring the progression, development and performance of our Apprentices & Adult Trainees.

Earning While Learning

Apprenticeship programs train employees more favourably compared to the internship programs, the main reason is that employees earn up to 50-60% pay in these programs while gaining invaluable on the job skills. Furthermore, there are salary increases for successful progression in the program and employees can also pursue further education beyond the Apprenticeship programs providing them with the opportunity to develop and learn more skills.

Employees Gain Real Work Experience

Working in an Apprenticeship is entirely different from working in colleges and universities. Here, employees’ get hands-on experience by working in a practical, fast-moving and at times challenging environment. Furthermore, if you are enrolled in an Electrical Apprenticeship Scotland or any other program, you’ll be assigned a certified training assessor that will be responsible for setting all your work as per the Apprenticeship training program, guide you through the review stages and assist with any queries you may have throughout the program. Gillespie and McLean work closely with colleges and training assessors, ensuring a focused management approach to assist successful Apprenticeship career development.

Supports the local community

Electrical Apprenticeship’s in Scotland support their local communities by employing and training young adults with quality life-long skills in trades. Electrical Apprenticeships will not only secure young adults a sustainable career, but it is an excellent grounding for further career development into senior roles. Supporting the local community by training the young adults reflects well on Gillespie & McLean’s continued commitment to training and development of the next generation of Electrical Engineers.

Gillespie & McLean main objectives for the Electrical Apprenticeship Scotland program are;

1. Ensure the training is fully provided to completion of the Apprenticeship or Adult trainee program, subject to SJIB’s National Working Rules.
2. Ensure the training and development meet the company and the industry standards. 
3. Promote a culture of information sharing and being part of a 1 team business.
4. Provide employment and enhance business opportunities for Gillespie & McLean. 
5. If the employee progresses well, Gillespie & McLean may support requests for further education in line with the business plan and objectives. 

Hard-working and motivated

Our Apprentices at Gillespie & McLean come from all different backgrounds and diversities. With the support of our staff, the lecturers and colleges, all our Apprentices thus far have been able to successfully complete their Apprenticeships on time and to a high standard of learning. 

As a company, we are proud of our Apprenticeship program as our Apprentices evolve to be loyal and hard-working. They also possess the motivation to help the business meet our ongoing objectives.

Our Electrical Apprenticeship program in Glasgow, Scotland has helped trained over 25 electricians in our 18-year history. 

If you would like to apply for a place on our Apprenticeship program, please contact our head office number and we will gladly give you more information regarding the application process. Our schedule intake for new apprentices is usually between June-July.

Thanks for reading about our Electrical Apprenticeship Glasgow & Scotland, take a look through Our Projects next!

The post Gillespie & McLean Electrical Apprenticeship Scotland. first appeared on Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services LTD | Electrical Contractors Glasgow and is written by Brian Gillespie.

Kelvinside Academy - Commercial Install

Duration: 10 Weeks
Works: Electrical, Data Communications & Fire Alarm
Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services were proud to win the electrical contract for Kelvinside Academy, one of Scotland’s most prestigious independent schools. Situated in the West End of Glasgow next to the Botanic Gardens, it open in 1878 and has around 610 pupils today.

This project was completed within the estimated timeline and the client was delighted with the final result. Together with the electrical installation, we were instructed to install Fire Alarm and Data systems.

Aluminium dado trunking and retroactive ceiling-mounted sockets were some of the items differing from the standard installation. 

The installation included installing cable management systems including cable tray, basket & ladder rack. Our experienced electricians took great care while installing three-phase distribution boards & switchgear panel.

Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services were proud to win the electrical contract for Kelvinside Academy, one of Scotland’s most prestigious independent schools. Situated in the West End of Glasgow next to the Botanic Gardens, it open in 1878 and has around 610 pupils today.

This project was completed within the estimated timeline and the client was delighted with the final result. Together with the electrical installation, we were instructed to install Fire Alarm and Data systems.

Aluminium dado trunking and retroactive ceiling-mounted sockets were some of the items differing from the standard installation. 

The installation included installing cable management systems including cable tray, basket & ladder rack. Our experienced electricians took great care while installing three-phase distribution boards & switchgear panel.

In addition to this, we installed busbar lighting with modern LED fittings in the gym area. The classrooms were fitted with 600×600 LED modular light fittings.

We opted for the data installation to be wired in CAT 6A to future-proof the data structured cabling system.

Check out what we did at Newbattle Highschool! 

If you have a project in mind for Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services please get in touch with us today. You can find our contact details below or via the Contact Page. 

Installation carried out in accordance with IET BS7671 Wiring Regulations.

Are you looking for Electrical Services in Glasgow? Contact our team today. 

Previous

Next

The post Kelvinside Academy first appeared on Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services LTD | Electrical Contractors Glasgow and is written by Brian Gillespie.

Newbattle High School

Duration: 8 Weeks
Works: Electrical – External Lighting Installation
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Gillespie & McLean Electrical Service were delighted to work with Newbattle High School on the development of their brand-new state-of-the-art High School in Dalkieth, Midlothian. Newbattle High School moved to their new building as a Digital Centre of Excellence within their new Newbattle Campus in June 2018. The Campus includes the community library services, internet cafe, sport and leisure as well as the school.

We were tasked with the external lighting installation for the main contractor of the school. This involved pulling in street lighting cables through ducts buried in the ground. It also involved installing lights on the exterior of the building. There were 54 lights including lampposts, wall-mounted lights & floodlights involved in this project.

Gillespie & McLean Electrical Service were delighted to work with Newbattle High School on the development of their brand-new state-of-the-art High School in Dalkieth, Midlothian. Newbattle High School moved to their new building as a Digital Centre of Excellence within their new Newbattle Campus in June 2018. The Campus includes the community library services, internet cafe, sport and leisure as well as the school.

We were tasked with the external lighting installation for the main contractor of the school. This involved pulling in street lighting cables through ducts buried in the ground. It also involved installing lights on the exterior of the building. There were 54 lights including lampposts, wall-mounted lights & floodlights involved in this project. Check out what we did at Kelvinside Academy!

If you have a project in mind for Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services please get in touch with us today. You can find our contact details below or via the Contact Page.

Look for an Electrical Company in Glasgow? Call us today!

Installation carried out in accordance with IET BS7671 Wiring Regulations.

Previous

Next

The post Newbattle High School first appeared on Gillespie & McLean Electrical Services LTD | Electrical Contractors Glasgow and is written by Brian Gillespie.