House & Garden Blog

What to Do When Your Hot Water Pressure Drops Suddenly

Having been in the plumbing business for decades, I can tell you that low hot water pressure is a common issue, one that clients in Perth and beyond frequently call about. That frustrating moment when you’re ready for a warm shower, only to find a weak trickle instead, can be incredibly disruptive. Let me walk you through the common causes and fixes for hot water pressure drops and share some practical steps you can take to restore things back to normal.

  1. Check for Sediment Buildup in the Water Heater

Over time, sediment naturally accumulates in water heaters. This buildup can reduce water flow and impact pressure. Perth’s water has a high mineral content, so sediment buildup is often a culprit for reduced water pressure. If your water heater is older or you’ve noticed gradually decreasing pressure, sediment is likely to blame.

What you can do: Drain the tank to remove sediment buildup. This should be done once or twice a year to keep the heater running efficiently. If you’re unfamiliar with this process, I’d advise consulting a professional to handle it safely.

Learn more about dealing with sediment buildup

  1. Inspect Your Pipes for Mineral Deposits

Just as sediment builds up in your water heater, mineral deposits can accumulate inside pipes, particularly if they’re older or made of galvanized steel. These deposits restrict water flow and can lower pressure at your taps, especially when you’re using hot water.

What you can do: If your home has older plumbing, it might be time to upgrade to newer materials, like PEX or copper, which don’t suffer from the same buildup issues. While replacing pipes can be a larger investment, it’s one that often improves water pressure and overall water quality.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago

3 Alternatives If Grass Will Not Grow In Your Landscape Garden

For most landscaping projects, whether they be a large project or a small one, the use of grass in some capacity is almost certainly going to be included. However, there may be some circumstances where using grass is not possible or advisable and alternatives need to be considered.

Apart from the person who owns the garden deciding that they do not want grass, the main reason for having to look at alternatives is that the grass simply cannot grow properly. This is best discussed with your landscape designer, landscaping company or horticulturist that you are using to advise you. The main cause of this can normally be attributed to the lack of one of three things which grass needs to grow and to thrive, which are water, nutrients, and sunshine.

This means that in locations that have low levels of rainfall, soil that is dry and lifeless, or where the sunlight is blocked, perhaps from tall buildings, then the grass is at best going to less than healthy, and in the worst cases, not grow at all. This brings us to the alternatives which are available to you, and in most scenarios one of these three choices is the one that the majority of landscape gardeners opt for.

Patio / Decking

Ok, so maybe two alternatives in one, but in effect what you doing here is building a surface or platform where the natural grass would have been. There are several materials that can be used with patios able to be built from gravel, concrete, bricks, limestone blocks or wood. Decking panels can also made from wood, but the most durable and easy to maintain is decking where the panels are made from man-made composite material.

Decks and patios are great for entertaining guests – having a barbecue, a nice shade sail from oneshade.com.au, and relaxing outdoor furniture are easy people pleasers, and the other advantages that they have are that, in the main, they require a lot less maintenance than grass, and they should last for many years.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
A Critical Factor In Landscaping

Why The Direction A Garden Faces Is A Critical Factor In Landscaping

When asked to design landscaped gardens, there are many variables that landscapers must take into account. The list of variables is a long one, and can include:

  • Client’s budget
  • Uses for the garden
  • Size of the garden
  • Lawn or no lawn?
  • Level of garden maintenance
  • Real lawn or artificial lawn?
  • Types of plants such as shrubs, flowers, or trees
  • Decking, pergolas and pathways
  • Fixed features such as seating and retaining walls
  • Water features, pools, ponds
  • Timescale for completion

Doubtless, you will be able to think of several more. However, there is one aspect of the garden being designed that we guarantee many clients do not even think of, and possibly even a few landscapers fail to think of too, and that is the direction the garden is facing. Whether a garden faces north, east, south, or west, can have a significant impact on what and how well plants grow there, as well as several potential features that may be included.

The direction a garden faces will determine how many hours of direct sunlight it gets during daylight hours, and crucially how hot it becomes when the sun is at its peak. Given all this, it is imperative that landscape designs take account of the garden’s direction, and below we have outlined briefly how this design might be influenced based on whether the garden in question faces, north, east, south, or west, respectively.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
10 Ways Homeowners Can Use Commercial Storage Units For Seasonal Items

10 Ways Homeowners Can Use Commercial Storage Units For Seasonal Items

As the seasons change through the year, homeowners will often find themselves struggling to find storage at home to store away seasonal items such as Christmas decorations, patio furniture, and seasonal clothing. The lack of space in their homes can make it difficult to keep these items organised, safe, and out of the way to prevent clutter when they are not in use.

However, with Perth storage units, homeowners can have a convenient, cost-effective and secure solution to store these seasonal items. As for some specific ways they can do so, and which items this might apply to, here are ten suggestions as to how homeowners can use commercial storage units for seasonal items.

Summer Sports And Fitness Equipment

Sports and fitness equipment can be bulky and difficult to store, especially for families with several athletes and fitness fans. A commercial storage unit can provide an ideal space to store sports and fitness equipment only used in the summer months when it is not in use, freeing up space in the garage or cupboards.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago

How Do I Set Up Multi-Room Audio in My Home?

Imagine this: It’s a sunny Sunday in Australia, the smell of BBQ fills the air, and the sweet melodies of your favourite playlist float effortlessly from your patio to your kitchen and even your bathroom. That, my friends, is the power of a multi-room audio system, and it’s easier to achieve than you may think – all you need is an audio-visual installation!

Why Would You Want Multi-Room Audio?

Think back to Jenny and Mark, one of our favourite client couples from Melbourne. They adored their classic rock but always faced the dilemma of whether to blast it in the living room or keep it confined to their patio during gatherings. With multi-room audio, they can now host their epic BBQs with Led Zeppelin greeting you at the door and accompanying you to the grill.

What Do You Need to Get Started?

If you’re interested in turning your home into a multi-room audio oasis, you’ll need a few essential components:

  • Audio Source: Spotify, Apple Music, or your timeless vinyl collection—this is the heart of your setup.
  • Amplifier: To give that audio source the ‘oomph’ it deserves.
  • Speakers: Choose between wired or wireless.
  • Controller: Generally, a smartphone app that acts like a remote control for your system.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago

Your Complete Guide To Cleaning Air Conditioner Filters

One of the tasks relating to air conditioners that those who own them dread most is cleaning the filters. Firstly, not every person realizes that cleaning an air conditioner’s filters is essential for them to operate correctly. Beyond this, some know the filters must be cleaned but are unsure how to do so. Based on advice from the Perth Air Con Experts, we have compiled a guide to help you in the process of cleaning your air conditioner filter.

Why Should You Clean Air Conditioning Filters

There are several reasons why air conditioning filters should be cleaned regularly, and more importantly, several issues that can occur if they are not.

  • Air Quality: Regular cleaning of the filters ensures that the air expelled by your air conditioner is high quality and thus healthier for those who live with you. Dirty filters mean that allergens, dust, and dirt can accumulate, which can tell people with low incomes that contaminated air circulating in the home can trigger or accelerate respiratory ailments and allergies.
  • Improved Comfort: Cleaning filters mean fresh, cool air circulates more easily within the home. A dirty filter can impede this, meaning temperatures are not cooled as they should be, making your home less comfortable.
  • Better Energy Efficiency: Clean filters mean your air conditioning unit works at maximum efficiency, thus lowering your energy bills. Conversely, dirty filters mean air conditioning has to work harder to circulate air, leading to poor efficiency and higher energy bills.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
How To Choose The Right Lighting For Your Home

How To Choose The Right Lighting For Your Home

Whenever you move into a new home or have decided to give a room a new look and atmosphere, you will most likely require the services of an electrician to install your new lighting fixtures. Whilst a light fixture might not seem like the most high-tech and complicated of electrical equipment, to ensure they are safe, you must use a qualified electrician for this work.

When it comes to choosing what type of lighting you are going to have, there is an abundance of choices. Your electrician may provide advice on the technical aspects of lighting fittings, but as for the visual appeal any of them has, this is often down to your own personal preferences. Here are some tips for choosing your ideal lighting for your home and ensuring it is fitted correctly and safely.

Research Images, Videos And Showrooms To Find The Right Mood

You first want to determine the sort of mood and lighting levels you want for the areas and rooms where the lighting is going to be upgraded. This can be established to some extent by looking in brochures relating to home decor and by watching videos in a similar vein, but the best way to see all this for real is by visiting showrooms for ideas.

These could include new homes for sale where an emphasis has been placed on the appeal of the lighting or in showrooms where lighting fittings are sold. Finally, you could garner ideas from the lighting that friends or family have used in their homes.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
7 Benefits That The Glass In And Around Your Home Provides

7 Benefits That The Glass In And Around Your Home Provides

It is almost certain that throughout most days you will see and use glass in one way or another and think nothing of it. Given that glass plays such a huge role in so many aspects of our lives it is easy to take it for granted. However, if you were to pause for a moment and consider just how many ways in which you rely on glass on a daily basis, you would realise that its influence exceeds that of most other materials.

It is also true to say that glass provides many benefits, and it does so in all manner of circumstances including domestic, commercial, industrial, and medical, to name but four. In this article we are going to consider glass in domestic settings, and specifically seven of the benefits of glass in and around the home. Primarily it is the benefits concerning design, construction, and aesthetics that glass can provide that we will be highlighting.

Benefit #1 – Glass Increases The Amount Of Natural Light Coming Into Your Home

Possibly the most obvious benefit of having glass in and around your home is that it allows greater amounts of natural light to enter every room. The brightness created makes it easier to work, cook, entertain, and do all those other activities that take place at home, plus the additional light helps keep your home warmer in the winter months.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
Why Frameless Glass Balustrading Is One Of Your Safest Options For Poolside Fencing

Why Frameless Glass Balustrading Is One Of Your Safest Options For Poolside Fencing

There is no denying that adding framelessness around your pool area significantly enhances the appearance of your property outdoors. Still, an even more critical factor to consider is how it augments the safety of your pool area. Hopefully, you have ensured that your pool area is safe and that anyone using it, especially children, knows what precautions should be taken.

Whilst personal responsibility is vital to pool safety, other safety features help, so adding pool fencing in the form of frameless glass balustrading is a huge step forward. If you are unsure why that would be the case, especially if you are considering frameless glass balustrading for your pool, here are some reasons from the pool fencing experts at Clear Az Glass Fencing as to why it is regarded as the best option.

It Creates A Secure Barrier Around The Pool

The most apparent reason frameless glass balustrading enhances pool safety is that it prevents children, especially very young children, from accessing the pool without supervision. There are no gaps or edges for them to squeeze through, which excited children who love playing in the pool will invariably try to do. No gaps also mean there is no risk of them injuring themselves trying to get through the gaps and getting stuck, for example.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago

7 Tips For Allergy-Friendly Gardening Within Landscaping Designs

It is one of Mother Nature’s cruel twists of fate that some of the most beautiful flora and fauna in creation can cause misery for many of us. We are talking about allergies and in particular pollen allergies which makes it extremely difficult for many sufferers to enjoy their garden and that includes those gardens that have been created using a landscaping design.

Thankfully, it is not all bad news as there are many ways in which anyone suffering from pollen allergies can make their landscaping design and activities in their garden less likely to cause them the usual difficulties they suffer from when in an environment with lots of pollen. Some of these tips relate to the landscaping design itself, and others are changes in how the person works in their garden. Here are those seven tips.

Have Someone With No Allergies To Mow Your Lawn: There is nothing wrong with avoiding cutting the grass in your landscaped garden due to your allergies. Hiring garden services to provide professional lawn care is always a readily available option.  Instead, we are sure your friends and family will be willing to take on that task for you occasionally, albeit you might need to bribe them with a beer or some other desirable treat or two.

Work In Your Garden On Windy Days And In The Early Morning: It makes sense that if something harms you, such as pollen, that you limit your exposure to it. As it happens, when it is windy and in the early morning are times when pollen counts are at their lowest, so it follows that these are great opportunities to work in your garden.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
6 Tips On Using Landscaping To Create A More Energy Efficient Home

6 Tips On Using Landscaping To Create A More Energy Efficient Home

There are many reasons why homeowners might wish the gardens around their property to have landscaping, and many times it will be to improve the appearance. In addition, there can be financial advantages to having gardens landscaped with the most obvious ones being an increase in the value of the property, and increasing the possibility of being able to sell a property quickly.

There is a further financial incentive, which in the vast majority of landscaping projects is often not considered, and that is that landscaping can increase the energy efficiency of the property in question. The savings which can be accrued, as a result, apply to any utility that you would normally expect to pay a bill for, such as water, gas, or electricity. Below are 6 examples that can be incorporated into a landscape design to achieve energy efficiencies.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago

3 Ways In which Landscaping Can Boost Your Home’s Value

There will be many people who instigate a landscaping design project for their home, for the pure and simple reason that they love gardening. For others, the motivation will be that they want a beautiful outdoor space on their property where they can relax or invite friends and family to.

Beyond these very personal benefits of having a newly landscaped garden, there is one benefit, where for some, it does not even register a thought, but for others, it will be the prime motivator, and that is an increase in the value of their property. There is no denying that a property with a beautifully landscaped garden designed & sculptured by landscapers versus an identical property with just a plain back yard, is always likely to be worth more.

Another consideration is that where there is a more urgent need to sell a property, perhaps because you have already agreed to purchase your next home, you have a far greater chance of finding a buyer quickly if you have a landscaped garden, than if, once again, all you can offer them is a dull, boring backyard.

Before everyone starts calculating how much more their property might be worth, it is important to understand that simply having a garden, landscaped or not, is not the key factor here, especially with respect to adding value to your property. Any landscaped garden, in order to increase the likely sellable value, needs to be created in a certain way. By that, we mean that some thought must go into your landscaping design.

In order to help you with that task, we are going to outline 3 simple, but highly effective, strategies with regards to the design of your landscaping that can help boost the increase in your property’s value even higher.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
7 Reasons Why You Should Renovate Your Bathroom

7 Reasons Why You Should Renovate Your Bathroom

Given that a bathroom renovation is one of the most expensive projects in the average home, you may be wondering if it’s even a necessity. If your bathroom is still functional, it will surely last a few more years, won’t it?

The truth is, renovating your bathroom can bring all kinds of benefits, even if you believe it’s not quite on its last legs. A new bathroom can increase the value of your property, be easier to clean and be a more comfortable space to use. If you’re not yet convinced, here are a few of the many reasons why you may like to consider renovating your bathroom.

It’s Damaged

Bathrooms do not remain in the best condition forever. In fact, experts recommend minor or significant renovations every 10 years. Over time, showers can start to leak, tiles can loosen, and mould and rot can begin to become a problem. If you notice any of these signs above, it can signal a pressing issue you need to address sooner rather than later.

It’s Dated

If you have renovated the rest of your home, walking into your bathroom can be like stepping back in time. Even if it is the most expensive room in the house, it can complete the look of your freshly renovated home. A dated bathroom may be functional, but it can be limiting how house proud you are.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
The Hidden Dangers Lurking Within Dirty Carpets

The Hidden Dangers Lurking Within Dirty Carpets

One of the difficulties with regards to carpet cleaning is that often, what is being removed when they are cleaned is not always obvious. The experts at www.brilliancecarpetcleaningperth.com.au tell us this can apply to things like pieces of grit and dirt and grime which is embedded within the fibres and are so small that they are not visible to the human eye.

Perhaps this is why there are some who suggest that at any given time, a carpet which is not cleaned can hold up to four times its own weight due to the undesirables within it. Now that might seem staggering, and we are not suggesting you rip up your carpets to test this theory, but it does make you think what could be contributing to that.

There is going to be obvious answers like dirt and grit, but there are others which might be lurking in carpets which apart from being too small to see, create another problem. We are talking about those tiny and microscopic undesirables, that can actually be a risk to the health of anyone who regularly walks on that carpet.

Here we are talking about mould, pollen, and bacteria to name but a few. Actually when we say ‘few’ that is certainly not the word to describe the extent to which these all exist within dirty carpets. In the worst cases, it is believed that there can be as many as 200,000 bacteria living within one square inch of carpet. To put that into context, the number of bacteria on a single lavatory is thought to be 500 times less than that.

Bear in mind these numbers are worst-case scenarios but even if your carpets are 1,000 times cleaner than this example, that is still a lot of bacteria in every square inch of your carpets, be that in an office or at home.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
Common Mistakes People Make When Renovating Their Kitchen

Common Mistakes People Make When Renovating Their Kitchen

A significant part of learning involves making mistakes. You make them, and then you learn from them. However, make mistakes during kitchen renovations, and those mistakes can be costly.

If you’re just about to launch into a large kitchen remodelling project, be aware of the following common mistakes. You can then do your best to avoid them.

Thinking You Can Renovate Yourself

If you’ve never so much as picked up a screwdriver, then undertaking a significant kitchen renovation may not be the wisest idea. Even flatpack kitchens can be complex, with any mistake you make also being costly.

Even if you see a price disparity between a flatpack kitchen and hiring a custom kitchen cabinet maker, don’t be in too much of a hurry to become a DIYer. Your skill level and desire for a quality build could see the need for kitchen cabinets experts.

Not Planning Enough Storage

One thing that frustrates many homeowners about their kitchens is a lack of storage space. Even if the kitchen itself is large, not every functional kitchen space has been planned to make the best use of it. Don’t make that mistake.

Planning is one of the most critical stages of a kitchen renovation – or any renovation. Make sure you have factored in enough storage space before you get the process underway.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
7 Top Tips For Landscaping In Locations That Get Little Rain

7 Top Tips For Landscaping In Locations That Get Little Rain

Gardeners worldwide will have landscaping designs and activities affected by their climate. Some will need to account for excessive rain, others might live somewhere where temperatures are cold for most of the year, and then there will be a group whose landscaping is impacted by a lack of rainfall.

You might think that this last group has the biggest problem to deal with, given that anything you want to grow in a garden needs water to survive. You might be right, so to help anyone who does indeed live in an area where rainfall is limited, here are some ways you can address this issue and even turn it into an advantage in your landscape gardening.

Research Your Plants: Landscapers advise that many plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees thrive in dry conditions. You should research which ones fall into this category, decide which ones you like the look of, and then use these in your garden instead of those that require a lot of watering.

Plan Your Planting: As part of your research, and especially if you wish to still include plants that need a fair degree of moisture, you should categorize each group depending on what the experts say about the amount of moisture they require. Then, you should plant each group of plants who have a similar need for water together, thus preventing one or two plants from depriving other plants nearby of the moisture they need.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
Moving to a New Home

5 Mistakes to Avoid When You Are Moving to a New Home

Moving to a new house is not something we are likely to do very often, so unless you work for a removalist, you are unlikely to have much experience of house moves. This is often why people tell their experienced removalists that moving to a new house is one of the most stressful events they experience in their lives, but it need not be that way.

The reason for many of those moving to a new house experiencing what they describe is a disaster, is that they make several fundamental mistakes which, turns what should be an exciting experience, into a living nightmare. We have outlined 5 of those mistakes, in the hope that when it comes time for you to move to a new home, you do not make them.

Mistake #1: Not Hiring Professional Removalists

Trying to move house or home office, either by hiring a van to do it yourself, or worse, paying for a bunch of amateurs to do it, is one of the primary reasons that a house move can become a complete nightmare.

Always do your due diligence and hire a team of professional removalists who can help you at every stage of the process and will ensure that the day of your move goes exactly as planned.

Mistake #2: Not Asking For Help

As well as hiring professional removalists, you should also be thinking about who else that you know that can help. There are all sorts of ways that others such as family and friends can help with some examples being:

  • Packing/Unpacking
  • Looking After Children/Pets
  • Lending You A Van/Car/Ute
  • Arranging for Snacks and Drinks for Everyone
  • Tradespeople: Residential Electricians/Plumbers/Joiners
  • Legal/Accounting Advice

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
Home Security System

The Pros & Cons of Using a Home Security System

More and more people across Australia and the world are installing home security systems from Alarm Systems Perth every day. There are a few reasons for this, including because they help people feel safer and they help secure your property against intruders and criminals.

In saying this, security alarms aren’t all fun and games. There are plenty of downsides associated with using them as well, and you need to make sure that you’re aware of both the positives and negatives before installing a new system.

With this in mind, we’ve had a closer look at the pros and cons of using a home security system. These are listed and explained in more detail below.

Pros of Using a Home Security System

There are numerous pros associated with using a home security system, including:

You will be alerted anytime someone enters your home unexpectedly – The main function of home security alarm systems is to notify you when an intruder or other unexpected visitor enters your home.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
Landscaping On My Own

Should I Attempt Landscaping On My Own?

In general, landscaping can be a difficult and time-consuming process. And yet, many people continue to attempt to do it alone. It’s certainly not for everyone, and you will need to think very carefully before committing to completing your landscaping projects on your own.

Because of this, it’s important to understand exactly what landscaping involves and why it’s so difficult. Ultimately, we always recommend using a professional landscaping team, such as Landscaping Sydney but in the end, the choice is yours. We’ve put the following guide together to help you out.

When Can I Consider Landscaping Alone?

Ultimately, there are a few times when deciding to take care of your own landscaping projects is a good decision. Some of these times include:

  1. When you’re a handy person with gardening/outdoor building experience.
  2. When your project is only small. For example, installing a new garden bed or laying new artificial turf.
  3. When your budget is extremely low and you want the most bang for your buck.
  4. When you already have a strong landscape design plan and you feel you can take care of everything on your own.


Even if you do decide to do things yourself – and yes, it is possible, if a little difficult – you should still always start with a detailed design blueprint.

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago
Packaging Business Electronics

Packaging Business Electronics for Transport

If you run a business which relies on computers and other electronics, then you will have to think carefully about the best way to package them before moving office. If you use a professional removals company, they will be able to give you advice, but it’s a good idea to develop a clear understanding in your own time.

With this in mind, we decided to put together this complete guide to packaging business electronics for transport. Here you will find information about the best way to pack things like computers, printers and more to ensure they aren’t damaged during the moving process.

  1. Pack Things in Their Original Boxes Where Possible.

Packing electronics in their original boxes will help you transport them safely and without risk of breaking them. In a perfect world, you would have also kept the packaging that your computers and other IT items came with. If so, you can simply slot the items back into their box, add the original packaging, and transport them like that.

  1. Use High Quality Packing Materials

If you don’t have original boxes to pack things in, think carefully about what sort of packaging materials you’re going to use. Where possible, go for:

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By Electronic Housing Code, ago