Spring has arrived across the Fleurieu Peninsula, and outdoor entertaining areas are getting their first proper use in months. From courtyards in Victor Harbor to decks overlooking the coast in Port Elliot, families and friends are gathering outside again, and finals season is bringing more people together around outdoor screens and speakers.
With winter sport finishing, many households are already planning to host friends and gatherings over the coming weeks, so now’s a sensible time to check outdoor power and lighting before the calendar gets busy. What often gets overlooked in the rush to set up seating and fire up the barbecue is whether the electrical setup in these spaces can actually keep up with how they are used.
A Space That Has Outgrown Its Wiring
Many outdoor entertaining areas were added well after a home was first wired, whether as a deck extension, a paved alfresco area or a converted carport. That often means outdoor power relies on a single powerpoint just inside a nearby door, with extension leads trailing across paving or lawn to reach an outdoor fridge, festoon lighting or a portable heater.
Extension cords running across an entertaining area are not only inconvenient underfoot, they are also exposed to moisture, foot traffic and general wear in a way that indoor cords are not.
Outdoor entertaining areas also tend to accumulate appliances gradually. A TV for the football, a sound system, an outdoor fridge or an insect zapper can each add to the load an existing circuit was never designed to carry.
BCS Electrical can help you plan out new powerpoint locations to make your space not only more practical, but also safer.
The addition of lighting and ceiling fans like this pergola in Victor Harbor can make a big difference to the usability of your outdoor area. This one was used for a wedding reception.
Outdoor Lighting That Extends the Evening
Lighting changes how usable an outdoor space feels once the sun goes down, and spring’s longer evenings make this more noticeable.
Feature lighting along a fence line, festoon lighting strung over a deck or well-placed downlights around a seating area can extend an outdoor space well into the evening, rather than everyone heading back inside once it gets dark.
Outdoor lighting also plays a safety role, helping to light pathways, steps and entertaining areas so they remain easy to navigate after dusk.
Because outdoor lighting and powerpoints are exposed to the weather, they need to be rated for outdoor use and wired on circuits protected by a safety switch.
Sensitive electronics such as outdoor TVs and sound systems can also benefit from surge protection, particularly during the storm activity that can accompany a change of season. This is not something to work out through trial and error, especially around any areas that get wet.
Our licensed electricians can help you plan your Fleurieu outdoor lighting installation anywhere in Victor Harbor, Port Elliot, Goolwa or surrounding areas.
Even festoon lighting should be installed safely with its own dedicated power source. We can assist with your weather-safe outdoor powerpoint installation.
Getting It Right Before the Season Ramps Up
A licensed electrician can assess an existing outdoor area and install weatherproof powerpoints on properly protected circuits, rather than relying on extension leads run from inside the house. They can also plan lighting layouts suited to how the space is actually used, position outlets where a TV or entertainment unit will sit, and confirm that circuits have enough capacity for fridges, heaters or sound equipment before they are added.
This kind of planning also matters when wall-mounting an outdoor television, since it needs a properly positioned power supply as well as secure mounting. BCS Electrical can handle not only the new powerpoint for the TV, but can also help with installation, including wall-mounting brackets, and cabling.
For rental properties and holiday homes across the Fleurieu, keeping outdoor circuits properly protected also supports the safety obligations that come with hosting tenants or guests throughout the warmer months, particularly where an outdoor area gets used more often once the weather improves.
Want to get your outdoor area up to speed now?
BCS Electrical can help you with all your outdoor electrical needs across the Fleurieu, including lighting installation, extra powerpoints, ceiling fan installation and TV mounting and installation.
Call our customer service team today on 8554 3094 to arrange a visit from one of our licensed, insured and experienced local electrical contractors.
If you’re wanting to really ramp up the outdoor lighting, large LED lights like these can be installed by the team at BCS Electrical.