Energy Efficient Home

Some basic procedures undertaken in the fall prior to winter's weather extremes can save you lots of money in energy costs. Making a few checks and maintenance routines part of your fall clean up can help you reduce energy costs in winter.

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Fall Home Energy Saving Tips

Having a professional conduct a home energy audit is one of the most cost effective ways to reduce your energy costs today and for many years to come.

Identifying your home's weak areas in terms of energy conservation and then rectifying the problems can result in a marked decrease in your home energy bills.

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Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

1. Insulation: heat entry and exit in your home can be greatly reduced by installing appropriate "R" value insulation in the ceilings and external walls (if possible). This will result in a lower need for heating and cooling.

2. Thermostats: set any heating and cooling thermostat temperatures as low as you feel comfortable with during winter (suggest 19-20oC) and as high as you feel comfortable with during summer (suggest 25-26oC). Each 1oC above during winter and below during summer will increase energy use by around 10%.

3. Shading: shade all windows, other than those that face south, with fixed shading devices e.g. awnings and pergolas. An unshaded square metre of glass will let in almost as much heat as a one-bar radiator.

4. Fans: are relatively inexpensive to run at around 2c/hr. While they do not cool the air they can reduce the need to switch on other higher energy consuming appliances and systems.

5. Water Efficient Shower Heads: install AAA rated shower heads which dispense water at 9litres/minute compared to 20-25litres/minute in a more traditional shower head. The less water needed the less energy required to heat. For more information on AAA rated shower heads click here.

6. Solar Hot Water: consider installing a solar hot water system. If you live in Adelaide the sun can contribute 60-70% of your hot water. This will significantly reduce the need to heat water using electricity or gas.

7. Refrigerators: try and get by with only one fridge/freezer. If you have a second fridge and/or freezer only turn it on when required, or better still dispose of it.

8. Fluorescent Lighting: replace incandescent lighting in frequently lit rooms with fluorescent lighting, either tubes or compact fluorescent globes. This lighting uses approx one fifth the energy of incandescent globes and can last up to 10 times longer. Compact fluorescent globes are available at most supermarkets.

9. Standby Power: this is energy used by an appliance/item while plugged in but not performing it's primary function e.g. the red standby light on your TV/VCR. If an appliance has a standby mode, where and when appropriate switch off these appliances at the power point when not in use or when you are going away for a few days or more.

10. Energy (Star) Ratings: where applicable use appliance Energy (Star) Ratings to select energy efficient appliances. The more stars the more efficient.

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