John Leader Electrical

20/10/2026

❄️ Haven't pressed the COOL button since last summer?

You're probably not alone!

After months of using your heat pump for heating, it's easy to forget that before long we'll be asking it to do the complete opposite.

Before the first really hot day arrives, give your heat pump a quick summer check:
🧹 Check and clean the filters
❄️ Switch it over to cooling mode and make sure it's operating properly
👂 Listen for any unusual noises
💧 Keep an eye out for unexpected water or leaks
🌿 Make sure the outdoor unit isn't obstructed by leaves, plants or debris

And if your heat pump is due for its annual service, spring is a great time to get it done before the summer rush.

There's nothing worse than discovering the air conditioning isn't working properly on the first 28 degree day! 🥵

💬 Are you still using yours for heating, or have you already switched over to cooling?

⚡ John Leader Electrical
📲 027 442 1777
📧 [email protected]

14/10/2026

💡 JLE TIP: That flickering light might be worth a second look...

We've probably all noticed a light flicker at some point.

But if you've got lights that are regularly or unexpectedly flickering, it's worth paying attention rather than simply learning to live with it.

WorkSafe NZ includes flickering lights among the warning signs that there may be an issue with a home's electrical installation.

Other signs that shouldn't be ignored include:
💡 Lights that regularly flicker
⚡ Circuit breakers that trip for no apparent reason
🔥 Plugs or sockets that are unusually hot or show signs of scorching

If you're concerned about any of these signs, have the electrical installation checked by a registered electrician.

💬 Got a light at home that's been flickering for so long you've just learnt to live with it? Give us a call and we can check it out for you.

⚡ John Leader Electrical
📲 027 442 1777
📧 [email protected]

06/10/2026

⚡ DID YOU KNOW?

If a circuit breaker keeps tripping, simply switching it back on again isn't fixing the cause of the problem.

Circuit breakers are an important part of your home's electrical protection and are designed to disconnect the supply to a circuit under certain fault or overload conditions.

A breaker may trip for a number of reasons, from too many appliances being used on one circuit through to a fault with an appliance, wiring or other electrical equipment.

If a circuit breaker keeps tripping, there's a reason for it and repeatedly resetting it without finding the cause isn't the answer.

⚠️ If you're unsure what's causing it, or the breaker won't stay on, leave it off and have the problem checked by a registered electrician.

💬 Have you ever had one circuit in your house that seems to trip more than the others?

⚡ John Leader Electrical

30/09/2026

☀️ Longer evenings are back! 🌅

With Daylight Saving underway and summer getting closer, now's a good time to start thinking about those outdoor areas that haven't had much attention over winter.

A few electrical additions can make a big difference to how you use your outdoor space over summer:
💡 Outdoor and garden lighting
🔌 Convenient outdoor power points
🏡 Deck and entertaining area lighting
💦 Power for spa pools and outdoor equipment
🔒 Sensor and security lighting

And if you've spent previous summers running extension leads through doors or windows... perhaps this is the year for a better solution! 😄

Whether you're planning a few small changes or giving the whole outdoor area an upgrade, it's worth thinking about the electrical side before summer arrives.

💬 What's one thing you'd love to add to your outdoor area before summer?

⚡ John Leader Electrical
📲 027 442 1777
📧 [email protected]

John Leader Electrical - experts in home & commercial electrical work, new & old house re-wiring & heat pumps. Try the best Palmerston North electricians - JLE!

26/09/2026

⏰ Clocks forward, smoke alarms checked!

Daylight Saving starts today, which makes it a handy reminder to give your smoke alarms a quick check too. 🔥

While you're changing the clocks:
🔘 Press the test button on each smoke alarm
🧹 Give them a gentle vacuum to remove dust
📅 Check the replacement date, smoke alarms should be replaced within 10 years
🔋 If you have alarms with replaceable batteries, check those too

If your smoke alarms are due for replacement, there are plenty of options available now, including 10 year battery alarms and interconnected smoke alarm systems.

Interconnected alarms provide an extra level of coverage, when one alarm detects smoke, all interconnected alarms sound, helping alert everyone throughout the home.

John Leader Electrical can supply and install compliant smoke alarms, including interconnected options where suitable.

💬 When did you last test yours?

And don't forget... clocks go forward one hour today! ⏰☀️

17/09/2026

☀️ Thinking about solar before summer?

The days are getting longer and summer will be here before we know it, so if solar has been on your “maybe one day” list, now is a good time to start looking into it.

A solar system shouldn't be one size fits all. The right setup can depend on things like:
☀️ Your household's electricity use
🏠 Your roof, orientation and available space
🌳 Shading around your property
🔋 Whether a battery suits the way you use power
🚗 Your future plans, such as adding an EV

There are also a few steps between deciding on solar and switching your system on, including system design, network approval, installation, inspection and metering.

That's why getting the process underway before summer arrives makes sense.

We design and install solar systems to suit the individual property and how the household actually uses electricity.

💬 If you've thought about solar, what's the one thing you'd most like to know about it?

Cost? 💰
Batteries? 🔋
How many panels you'd need? ☀️
How much power you could generate? ⚡

11/09/2026

😂 Well… we jumped on the bandwagon!

We thought we'd see what John might have looked like back in the 80s… and we're not disappointed. 🤣

The hair. The fashion. The confidence.

There may be a little less hair these days, but we reckon John could still pull off the neon jacket! 😂

⚡ John Leader Electrical

09/09/2026

⚡🚗 It’s World EV Day! 🚗

Electric vehicles are changing the way Kiwis get around, but what about the way we charge them?

A dedicated wall mounted EV charger provides a convenient and efficient way to regularly charge your EV at home and should be installed to suit your home’s electrical supply and charging requirements.

Before installing one, it’s also important to consider your home’s existing electrical supply and wiring to make sure it can handle the additional load.

And with smart chargers, you may also be able to schedule charging for off-peak times, depending on your electricity plan.

So for World EV Day, we thought we'd ask:

💬 Would you consider an EV for your next vehicle?

⚡ Already have one
🤔 Maybe
🚗 Not yet

Happy World EV Day! 🔋

05/09/2026

🔧 Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and father figures out there!

Here’s to the ones who somehow know:
💡 Which light you’ve left on
🩳 That stubbies and jandals are perfectly acceptable weekend attire
🔌 Why that plug definitely doesn’t need to stay switched on
🛠️ And exactly where that tool is... even though nobody else can find it 😄

A special shout out to the dads on our own team who’ll hopefully get to put their feet up for a bit today!

Whether you’re a dad, stepdad, grandad, father figure, celebrating with yours or remembering someone special, we hope you have a great Sunday.

Happy Father’s Day from the team at John Leader Electrical. ⚡

18/08/2026

🏡 Out with the old... in with the new. ⚡

Here's a before and after from a switchboard upgrade completed by our team.

Many older switchboards are still doing the job they were originally installed to do; however, our homes have changed a lot over the years.

Today's homes often have:
🏡 Heat pumps
🚗 EV chargers
☀️ Solar systems
🍳 More appliances than ever before

A modern switchboard helps ensure your home's electrical system is ready to support the way we live today, while providing the protection expected from modern electrical installations.

📸 Check out the transformation below.

💬 How old do you think your switchboard is?