A full outdoor electrical upgrade at a residential property in Camborne - replacing worn exterior wall lights with IP65 stainless steel PIR downlights across six locations, adding two weatherproof outdoor sockets, installing a wired doorbell system, and upgrading the heating controls to the Hive Active Heating smart system.
This project at a detached property in Camborne covered a fair bit of ground – outdoor lighting, weatherproof power, a conventional doorbell installation, and a smart heating upgrade, all tackled in a single visit.
The starting point was the existing exterior lighting, which had reached the end of its useful life. Four wall lights were removed and their cabling properly terminated – one to the right of the front porch, one on the solar panel side of the property, one to the right of the rear entrance door adjacent to the satellite cabling, and one on the garage side facing the neighbouring property. Rather than simply swapping like-for-like in the same positions, the new layout was planned to give better coverage where it actually mattered.
Six IP65 stainless steel PIR downlight wall lights were then supplied and installed across the property. IP65 is the relevant rating here – it means the fittings are fully protected against dust and can handle direct water jets, so they’re built for outdoor use in the kind of weather Cornwall regularly throws at a building. The PIR function means the lights respond to movement, which is both practical and more energy-conscious than leaving them running through the night. The stainless steel finish gives a clean, consistent look across the building.
Placement was thought through carefully. A light was positioned to the left of the garage door, relocated specifically to throw light across the garage door itself rather than alongside it – a small change that makes a noticeable difference when you’re pulling up after dark. Another was fitted to the left of the front porch, with further units covering the car port area, the rear of the property near the existing CCTV camera, the rear corner, and the side of the garage at the rear. Together, these cover the main access points and vulnerable areas of the property without overcrowding any single elevation.
Alongside the lighting, two IP65 double socket outlets were installed for outdoor use – one on the side of the garage and one near the car port. Both were wired back-to-back with existing internal socket outlets, which is a tidy way of adding external power without having to run entirely new circuits. The supply is drawn from the internal socket on the other side of the wall, keeping the installation clean and minimising disruption. IP65-rated outdoor sockets are an increasingly common request – whether it’s for a pressure washer, garden tools, EV charging extension, or seasonal lighting, having a properly rated and protected socket in the right place makes life considerably easier than running a trailing lead through a door or window.
The doorbell installation was a conventional wired push-button system. A transformer and chime unit were sited at high level in the hallway, keeping them out of the way and reducing the chance of accidental interference. The cabling running through the porch was contained within 25mm white trunking to keep it looking neat – particularly important in an entrance area where the finish matters. Wired doorbells tend to be more dependable day-to-day than wireless alternatives; there’s no battery to keep an eye on, no signal to drop out, and the system just works each time someone pushes the button.
The final element of the job was upgrading the existing heating controls to the Hive Active Heating system, configured for the property’s combi boiler. The existing controls were removed and the Hive receiver was fitted adjacent to the boiler, with the system fully paired and commissioned on the day. Hive gives the homeowner remote control of their heating through a smartphone app, which means they can adjust schedules, boost the heating ahead of getting home, or turn it down if plans change – all without needing to be in the house. For a combi boiler setup, it’s a straightforward upgrade that adds a meaningful layer of convenience without requiring any major changes to the existing system.
Both the doorbell and the Hive heating system were tested and confirmed as working correctly before we left site – commissioning was included as part of the installation, so the customer was up and running straight away.
From replacing tired exterior lights with a properly thought-out IP65 arrangement, through to adding usable outdoor power and bringing the heating controls into the present day, this was a well-rounded domestic electrical project that touched most areas of a property’s everyday electrical needs.
