We’re Hiring!

Craftsman Electrical is growing, and we’re looking for a qualified electrician to join our Wanaka-based team.

We work across high-end residential builds, architectural lighting, solar and battery installations, and general electrical projects throughout Wanaka and Central Otago. If you take pride in your workmanship, communicate well, and want to be part of a solid local team doing quality work, we’d love to hear from you.

This is a full-time role with competitive pay, varied projects, and opportunities to grow as the business expands.

If you’re a registered electrician (or close to registration) and looking for something new in Wanaka, get in touch with us today.

📞 0800 427 238
📧 admin@craftsmanelectrical.co.nz

Solar + Batteries for Wanaka Winters: What Actually Works

Do solar batteries work in Wanaka winters?

Yes when they’re designed correctly.

Wanaka winters bring shorter days and colder temperatures, but that doesn’t mean solar stops working. It just means the system needs to be smarter.

What changes in winter?

• Less total daylight

• Lower generation hours

• Higher household energy use (heating)

This is where batteries and intelligent energy management make a real difference.

What a battery really does

A battery doesn’t create energy, it:

• Stores excess solar when it’s available

• Releases it when you need it most

• Reduces grid dependence during peak times

In winter, this helps smooth energy use rather than eliminate grid power entirely.

Smart systems matter

Modern all-in-one systems can:

• Prioritise essential loads

• Optimise charging times

• Prepare for outages

• Adapt as your usage changes

This is far more effective than basic solar-only setups.

Is a battery worth it?

A battery is worth considering if:

• You use power in the evenings

• You want backup capability

• You’re planning an EV or future upgrades

• You want more control over rising power costs

Our approach

Designed to grow with you

One of the key advantages of the grid-tied solar systems we install is that they’re designed to be battery-ready from day one.

That means you can start with solar panels connected to the grid, reduce your power bills immediately, and then add batteries later as your needs change, without redesigning the system or replacing major components.

This approach keeps upfront costs down while future-proofing your home for battery storage, EV charging, and rising electricity prices.

A Big Welcome to Holly!

Welcoming Holly to the Craftsman Electrical Team

We’re excited to introduce the newest member of the Craftsman Electrical team: Holly Stevenson, joining us as our Sales & Operations Manager.

Holly brings over a decade of experience in the electrical wholesaling industry, including the last four years as the General Manager at Redpaths Wanaka. Her background gives her a deep understanding of electrical products, pricing structures, and the quoting process, experience that makes her an incredible asset to both our clients and our team.

A Strong Foundation in Electrical Knowledge

Having worked closely with electricians, suppliers, and project managers for more than 10 years, Holly has built a reputation for being detail focused, reliable, and solutions driven. She knows the ins and outs of electrical materials, understands what makes a project run smoothly, and brings a high level of organisation to every job.

A Better Experience for Our Clients

With Holly on board, clients can expect:

• Faster turnaround on quotes

• Clearer communication throughout each stage of their project

• Better organisation of product selections and materials

• A smoother, more efficient process from start to finish

Her addition strengthens every part of the customer journey.

Holly will also bring a knowledge on Solar Systems, if you are curious about getting solar be sure to get in touch.

Welcome to the team, Holly!

We’re stoked to have Holly join the Craftsman Electrical family and can’t wait to see the impact she makes in the months ahead. If you stop by our new office, be sure to say hello, she’ll likely be the friendly face helping you get your project underway.

Our New Office and Showroom

We’re stoked to announce that we have a new office, at 44 Anderson Road, It’s a space built to elevate the way we support our clients, our builders, and our team. After months of planning, designing, and setting it up, we’ve created a place where you can sit down with us, explore options, and bring your project to life with clarity and confidence.

Introducing Our Solar Division & Showroom

Another huge step for us is the launch of our Solar Division, now part of our permanent setup. As part of the new office, we’ve created a hands-on solar showroom where you can:

• Learn how solar panels and battery systems work

• Compare inverter and panel options

• Understand real-world savings and performance

• Get tailored advice for Wanaka’s climate and your roof type

Whether you're exploring off-grid, hybrid, or grid-tied solar systems, our team can walk you through the choices and help you design something that fits your home and your goals.

A Space Designed for You

Our new office is set up to make the planning process easier and more personal. It’s where you can:

• Review your electrical plans and lighting designs

• Compare product options and finishes

• Talk through ideas for your home, renovation, or new build

• Work directly with our team to customise systems to your needs

We’ve brought together samples, catalogues, and real product displays so you can see and feel the options before making decisions.

Come Visit Us

We’d love to show you around. Whether you’re planning a new build, looking to upgrade your current home, or curious about switching to solar, feel free to pop in or get in touch to book a consultation.

Craftsman Electrical

Why Wanaka’s Winter Inversion Makes Electrical Heating More Important Than Ever

If you’ve spent a winter in Wanaka, you’ll know the feeling: the sun is shining beautifully up on the hilltops, but down in town everything is cold, still, and stuck under a blanket of icy air.
That’s the Wanaka winter inversion — and while it makes for amazing sunrise photos, it also has a big impact on how your home uses power.

At Craftsman Electrical, we’ve noticed the inversion changes how much heating people actually need, the reliability required from their systems, and even the way some homes are wired.

Here’s what you should know.

What Is Inversion?

During winter (and some chilly shoulder-season days), cold air gets trapped in the valley while warmer air sits above it.
The result:

• Colder temperatures for longer periods

• A chill that lingers into the late morning

• Homes sitting in shade while hilltops warm up

• Extra strain on heating systems

This means your house often stays colder than the actual weather forecast suggests.

Why the Inversion Affects Your Power Use

1. Your heating runs for longer

Most homes use:

• Heat pumps

• Underfloor heating

• Panel heaters

• Wood burners + fans

Under an inversion, these run earlier, longer, and harder.
Even well-insulated homes can chew through more electricity.

2. Poor-quality wiring gets exposed

We see this every winter:
Old switchboards, loose terminations, and ageing circuits start to fail when heating loads spike.\

Older Wanaka homes weren’t designed for this

A lot of 90s–2000s houses were built before:

• Large heat pumps

• EV chargers

• Modern appliances

• Full-house underfloor heating

Many homes didn’t anticipate the electrical load we see today — let alone the extended winter usage caused by inversion days.

What You Can Do to Stay Warm (and Safe)

✓ Upgrade your switchboard

Modern switchboards with:

• RCDs

• AFDDs

• New breakers

• Proper load balancing

…handle winter loads far better than the old ceramic-fuse boards.

✓ Service your heat pump

A really easy win.
A blocked filter alone can increase power use by 20–30%.

✓ Consider underfloor heating zones

If your system is old or always “on”, zoning can save serious power on inversion days.

✓ Add a smart thermostat or timer

Smart control = shorter run-times and lower bills.

Craftsman Electrical installs:

• Heat pump Wi-Fi controls

• Timer modules

• Smart-home integration

• Underfloor heating controllers

✓ Check you’re not overloading circuits

We can assess circuits in older homes to make sure your heaters aren’t all drawing from the same line.

Why This Matters for Wanaka Homeowners

Wanaka’s inversion creates long-run colder days, which dramatically increases electrical load.
If your home’s wiring or heating system is outdated, winter is when the problems show.

Many of the callouts we get in July and August are directly linked to:

• Overloaded circuits

• Underperforming heating systems

• Old switchboards

• Tripping RCDs

• Hard-running heat pumps

A quick check before winter can prevent surprises when you need heat the most.

Want a Pre-Winter Electrical Check?

We’re local, we know the valley, and we see these issues every year.

We can help with:

• Heat pump servicing

• Underfloor heating checks

• Switchboard upgrades

• Load testing

• Smart heating controls

• Energy-efficient heating plans for your layout

Can I borrow your digger?

Like most ideas of ours, our digger hire business started pretty simply — with us needing a machine for our own jobs, realising how handy it was, and then noticing that everyone else around town seemed to need one too. Wanaka has this way of bringing people, builders, renovators, and small contractors together, and we just kept getting asked, “Hey, any chance I could borrow that digger for the weekend?”

One thing led to another, and before we knew it, we had a machine, a trailer, a bit of branding, and the beginnings of a proper little side business. Dropping off the digger to people in town, having a yarn, hearing about their projects — retaining walls, landscaping, prepping pads for sheds, clearing sections — we realised quickly that this wasn’t just a rental service; it was a way to meet people in our community and help them tackle their own jobs with confidence.

A big turning point for us was Wheels at Wanaka. We took the machine along and met so many locals, tradespeople, and families who were curious, asked questions, told us about their projects, and shared their own stories. It was relaxed, and felt like Wanaka at its best — people helping people, everyone keen to support a local business that’s just giving something a go.

Since then, the digger hire side has grown in a way that still feels cruisy. We keep things simple, we’re easy to deal with, and we genuinely love dropping the machine off, chatting to customers, and seeing what they’re building next. It’s turned into one of those unexpected businesses that fits right into who we are.

If you ever need a reliable digger for a weekend job or a bigger project, we’re here, we’re local, and we’re always happy to help — even if it’s just for a bit of advice before you get started.

The Team Behind Craftsman Electrical: Our Story from One Van to a Full Wanaka Crew

How It All Started

When we first launched Craftsman Electrical, it was literally just the two of us, a single van, and a whole lot of determination. We were juggling tools, quoting, paperwork, clients, and the unpredictable chaos that comes with running a small business in Wanaka. What started as “let’s give this a crack and do it properly” has grown into something much bigger than we ever expected — and a team we’re incredibly proud of.

We took on every job we could, from late-night callouts to big renovations, and built one project at a time.

There were long nights, early mornings, and plenty of learning curves. But every step shaped the business into what it is today — a tight, skilled team committed to quality.

As work picked up, we realised we needed help. Not just anyone — the right people.
People who genuinely care about their work, show up with a good attitude, and treat clients’ homes as if they were their own.

From new builds to architectural lighting to switchboard upgrades, our growing team works across Wanaka, Albert Town, Lake Hāwea, Luggate, and beyond. Each person brings something unique — attention to detail, positive energy, and pride in doing a job properly.

Our Values

We’ve always believed that good electrical work is more than wires and switches. It’s about:

• Clear communication

• Turning up on time

• Leaving things tidier than we found them

• Explaining things in normal human words

• Doing it right the first time

That’s why we’ve also invested heavily in safety systems, vehicle equipment, first-aid kits, tag-out procedures, and stock control — the behind-the-scenes stuff that helps us stay consistent, reliable, and professional.

Where We’re Heading

With multiple service vehicles, a workshop in Wanaka, and specialised divisions in air conditioning and heat pumps, Craftsman Electrical continues to grow — but we’re still the same people who started out with one van, hoping clients would take a chance on us.

Now we’re looking ahead to:

• Expanding our solar division

• Improving same-day services where possible

• More staff training and upskilling

• Building out our online presence to make booking easier

Wanaka’s our home, and the community we work in every day means everything to us.

Thank You for Supporting Us

If you’re reading this, you’re part of the reason Craftsman Electrical has grown from a two-person hustle into a fully equipped local team. We’re grateful for every job, every referral, and every review — it all helps a small local business like ours continue to thrive.

Why Regular Switchboard Checks Matter (Especially in Old Central Otago Homes)

Many homes around Wanaka, Albert Town, and the wider Central Otago region were built long before today’s electrical safety standards. Even homes from the early 2000s can have switchboards that are outdated, overloaded, or missing crucial safety devices.

If your switchboard doesn’t have RCDs: it’s time to upgrade.

A switchboard is essentially the “heart” of your home’s electrical system — and if it isn’t functioning properly, it can create real safety risks.

Here’s why regular checks (every 3–5 years) are essential.

1. Older Homes Weren’t Designed for Modern Loads

Central Otago homes built in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s typically weren't designed for:

• EV chargers

• Heat pumps in every room

• Underfloor heating

• Large ovens + induction cooktops

• Spa pools

• Home offices

This extra load can strain old switchboards and wiring.

2. Many Older Boards Don’t Have RCD Protection

RCDs (Residual Current Devices) save lives.

They detect earth faults and cut the power instantly — far faster than old fuses or breakers.

3. Signs Your Switchboard Needs Attention

You should get your switchboard checked if you notice:

• Flickering lights

• Breakers tripping often

• Warm/humming switchboard

• Burning smell

• Ceramic fuses

• No labelling or messy wiring

• A board older than 20–25 years

These are indicators of overloaded or unsafe circuits.

4. Peace of Mind for Renovations or Extensions

If you're adding a new room, heat pump, or doing any renovation work around Wanaka, your switchboard may need:

• Extra capacity

• RCD protection

• A full re-wire of certain circuits

We assess this during a switchboard check so we can plan the safest, cleanest solution.

How Craftsman Electrical Can Help

We offer full switchboard inspections, including:

• Testing

• Load assessments

• Thermal imaging (if required)

• Safety upgrades

• Full board replacements

Most checks take under an hour and give you a clear picture of your home’s electrical health.

If Your Home Is Older — It’s Worth Checking

Switchboard issues don’t always show themselves openly.
A quick inspection can prevent faults, fires, and unexpected outages — especially in older Wanaka and Central Otago homes.

If you’d like us to take a look or price a switchboard upgrade, we’re always happy to help.

How Much Power Does Your Home Really Use? A Simple Guide for Wanaka Households

With power prices rising across Central Otago, more homeowners are trying to understand where their electricity is actually going. The good news is you don’t need to be an electrician to make sense of it — just a few key insights can help you cut costs without changing your lifestyle.

The biggest power users in a typical wanaka home

In Wanaka households, the main culprits are usually:

1. Hot water (25–35%)
Your cylinder is one of the biggest power consumers. Long showers add up fast.

2. Heating & heat pumps (20–30%)
Central Otago winters are tough. A well-set heat pump uses far less power than a panel heater or oil column.

3. Appliances (15–25%)
Fridges, dishwashers, washing machines — older models especially.

4. Lighting
Switching to LED saves around 80% compared to old halogens.

5. Standby power
TVs, chargers, sound systems — all quietly drawing energy.

How to understand your own usage

You can look at your power bill, but the easiest way is to check:

• Your average daily kWh

• When your usage spikes (e.g., evenings, winter months)

• What appliances you run daily

We can also install a smart home energy monitor that shows real-time usage on your phone — perfect if you’re trying to bring costs down.

Two quick ways to save money

• Set your heat pump between 19–21°C (biggest savings)

• Make sure your hot water cylinder is on a timer or well insulated