Why We Became NatHERS Accredited (And What That Means for You)
Most people, when they think about an electrical company, think about switchboards, solar installations, and getting the lights to work. Helcro Electrical does all of that. But a few years ago, we made a deliberate decision to go further — to become NatHERS-accredited thermal performance assessors. It wasn’t the obvious move for an electrical and […]
What Helcro Looks At When We Do a Home Energy Assessment
When someone calls Helcro Electrical for a home energy assessment, they often expect us to arrive, look at the hot water system, and hand over a quote for a heat pump. That’s not quite how we operate. A proper energy assessment looks at the whole picture — because the most effective upgrades for one household […]
A Plain-English Guide to Victoria’s Energy Upgrades Program
If you’ve heard the term ‘VEU program’ and had absolutely no idea what it means, you’re in good company. Victoria’s Energy Upgrades program is one of the most generous household energy rebate schemes in the country — but it’s also one of the most poorly understood. Jargon like ‘VEECs’, ‘accredited providers’, and ‘eligible activities’ tends […]
Why Your Hot Water System Is Probably Your Biggest Energy Drain
Ask most Melbourne homeowners where the biggest chunk of their energy bill goes, and you’ll get answers like ‘the heating’ or ‘leaving lights on.’ Almost nobody says hot water. But they should — because heating water is one of the largest and most consistent energy costs in the average Australian home, typically sitting between 20 […]
What Does 1 Star on Your Energy Label Actually Cost You?
You’ve seen the red and yellow Rainbow Star label. It’s on the side of every air conditioner, washing machine, dishwasher, and refrigerator in the showroom. But when you’re standing in front of a wall of appliances with price tags from $800 to $2,400, it’s easy to default to the cheaper upfront option without doing the […]
The Real Cost of Running Old Appliances (And What to Do About It)
If you’ve been opening your energy bills lately and doing a double-take, you’re not imagining it. Electricity prices across Australia have climbed 7.63% between 2023 and 2025 — well above the general rate of inflation — and further increases are already locked in for 2025–26. Globally, the picture isn’t much rosier: energy market volatility linked […]
Rinnai multi split system
Rinnai Multi-Split Air Conditioners: Guide to Efficient Home Cooling At Helcro Electrical, we’re proud to work with quality local brands like Rinnai. Our team of licensed electricians understands Melbourne homes and can help you choose the right multi-split system for your property. So, what is a Multi-Split Air Conditioner? A multi-split air conditioner (also called […]
Battery Calculator
Hey friends do you have solar but no battery. Are you getting paid (not much to very little) from your provider your free electricity? It’s a conundrum you may have heard of the rebates provided by the federal government on batteries home batteries we are expecting that that will be reduced from May 2026. The […]
Batteries and Brands We Recommend… and what that Means for Australian Homeowners
There are many options out there in the market and only four that Helcro install and recommend. Given that the Australian battery market is intensely competitive in 2025, it’s good to narrow it down. Of the four we work with, each brand offers distinct advantages: Which Battery Should You Choose? Each brand has different strengths: Now is […]
The Heat Pump Difference (And Why It Matters)
You’ve heard it before — heat pump hot water systems are brilliant. Particularly the iStore range. They’re one of those rare home upgrades that actually delivers on the promise: lower bills, smaller environmental footprint, and reliable hot water without the guilt. But here’s the thing nobody talks about enough: the quality of your installation will […]