Useful information
Guides.
Straight answers to the questions Hoff gets asked most, written so you can make a decision without booking anyone. Where Queensland requirements are involved, the authority is linked rather than paraphrased.
Electrical
Electrical guides.
When does a switchboard need upgrading?
The signs a Brisbane switchboard is due for an upgrade: ceramic fuses, no safety switches, repeated tripping, no spare capacity and heat damage. What each one actually means.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideWhy does my safety switch keep tripping?
A tripping safety switch usually means it is working correctly and something is leaking current to earth. The common causes, how to narrow it down, and when to stop resetting it.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideWhat to know before installing an EV charger at home
What to know before installing a home EV charger in Brisbane: supply capacity, switchboard space, charger positioning, dedicated circuits and why the assessment comes first.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideCeiling fan size and placement guide
How to choose and position a ceiling fan in a Brisbane home: blade span, mounting height, clearances, high and raked ceilings, and why fans pair well with air-conditioning.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideSmoke alarm requirements for Queensland homes
What Queensland requires of domestic smoke alarms: photoelectric alarms, interconnection and placement, plus where to confirm the obligation that applies to your dwelling.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideAir-conditioning
Air-conditioning guides.
Split system vs ducted air conditioning
Which suits your Brisbane home: split systems or ducted air-conditioning? Cost, appearance, zoning, roof space and running costs compared honestly, with no single right answer.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideWhat size air conditioner do I need?
Why floor area alone will not size an air conditioner correctly, what actually drives cooling load in a Brisbane home, and why oversizing causes as many problems as undersizing.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideHow often should air conditioning be serviced?
How often a Brisbane air conditioner should be serviced, what a service actually covers, and why humidity and coastal exposure change the answer for some homes.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideWhy is my air conditioner not cooling?
The common reasons a Brisbane air conditioner runs without cooling: restricted airflow, low refrigerant, failed capacitors and control faults. What to check before you call.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideRather just ask Hoff directly?
Plenty of questions are quicker answered on the phone than in an article.