Renovating Outdoors? Essential Electrical Upgrades for Your Patio, Deck, and Garden

Spending time outdoors is one of the cherished pleasures for people living in the Sunshine Coast area. From entertaining guests on your patio, having deck BBQs with your family to garden relaxation, it is essential to consider outdoor renovations. When it comes to renovation, what is being overlooked are the electrical upgrades. Having safe, functional and stylish electrical work should be considered in your backyard to have an enjoyable experience in the long run.

Here’s the list of the important electrical upgrades that should be considered for renovation:

1. Weatherproof Power Outlets

Various appliances such as fridges, BBQ grills, electric heaters and including sound systems are often placed in the outdoor areas as a must have appliance and for entertainment. With the humid and coastal climate conditions in Sunshine Coast, it would not be proper to use the standard indoor outlets since these are not designed for outdoor conditions. Thus, a weatherproof power outlet installation is recommended to ensure safe and efficient operation avoiding the risk of electrical faults that come from the moisture.

Tip: To achieve full protection from water and dust, ensure your electrician is using outlets with IP-rated covers.

2. Outdoor Lighting for Ambience and Safety

To set the mood of your space and to be functional especially at night, outdoor lighting has a crucial role to play. Aside from the aesthetics, proper lighting provides safety through illuminating the outdoor walkways, steps and entryways.

These are the types of outdoor lighting that you can consider:

• Ambient lighting - Consider LED strip lights under deck railings, fairy lights, or pendant lights over outdoor dining areas.

• Task lighting - If you want to highlight illumination using spotlights for cooking spaces or BBQs.

• Security lighting - To detect intruders and ensure safety, a motion sensor floodlights near doors, garages and side access points

It is highly recommended to have energy-efficient LED lighting for long-lasting performance and reduced energy consumption

3. Power for Outdoor Kitchens and Appliances

It is a growing trend to have outdoor kitchens in the Sunshine Coast. But such would require careful electrical planning since appliances starting from the fridge and wine coolers to pizza ovens and dishwashers all need to be installed to dedicated power points safely and correctly.

Having long extension cords would not be safe and practical. Consult Axon Electrical and we will help you design a system that will have sufficient circuits and be able to handle your outdoor’s power demand.

4. Pool and Spa Electrical Safety

When you have a pool or spa, electrical safety is more critical. The pumps, heaters and lighting should comply strictly with Australian Standards. Significantly, all pool and spa wiring should have Residual Current Devices (RCDs) as a prevention from electric shock. 

It is also worth noting that pool and spa lights should be low-voltage and fully waterproof. Always keep in mind that it is extremely hazardous when you compromise the safety of combining water and electricity.

5. Smart Outdoor Upgrades

Transform your outdoor experience with the use of smart technology. Here’s the smart electrical upgrades that you should consider:

• App-controlled lighting – use your phone to choose the ambiance that you like 

• Automated irrigation systems – this will give proper maintenance of your garden with just a minimum effort

  
  

• Wi-Fi outdoor speakers – be entertained outdoor with the choice of your music

  
  

Considering these upgrades is a smart move that will surely add to your convenience and raise the value of your property.

6. Safety Switches and RCD Protection

Safety switches and RCD protection are essential in case you have new outdoor electrical installations. Having these devices will allow the power to cut upon detection of any  electrical fault, hence lowering the risks of electric shock. This is a significant safety measure as you consider having stormy weather and high humidity here on the Sunshine Coast.  

7. Hire a Professional for your Peace of mind

It may seem appealing to have a DIY approach in outdoor electrical works, but bear in mind that doing these complex tasks would need compliance to the Australian electrical standards. Having a specialized electrician will guarantee a safe, weatherproof and proper installation. 

Also, when you hire Axon Electrical, we provide future proof installations. We tailor the electrical system of your outdoor space to give allowance for future additions of appliances or in case of switching to smart technology.

Elevate Your Outdoors

Transform your patio, deck, and garden to become stylish, functional and safe outdoor space for your family and guests. Whether you want an entertaining, relaxing, or simply enjoyable surroundings, choose the right electrical upgrades for you to achieve the Sunshine Coast lifestyle. We ensure that our electrical works will give you great returns when it comes to safety, comfort, and long-term value for your home.

Ready to transform your outdoor space? 

Call us today, your trusted local Sunshine Coast electricians!

We will assist you to plan and install the needed electrical upgrades for your dream outdoor space. A safe, stylish, and compliant electrical solution awaits you!