Whether building or renovating, making the right decisions now will save money, save the environment, and make your home a more comfortable place to live.

Energy and water efficiency: 6 steps to a 6 star home

33

Energy efficient homes

are great places to live

“We’ve done it all. We’ve got insulation, solar panels, solar air heating, and rainwater tanks. It’s so gratifying – and cheaper than you would think. The joy of watching your meter go backwards, you just can’t put a value on that!”

Rob, Brompton

We’ve got really good insulation at home. It’s fantastic – our house is at least four degrees cooler in the heat of summer, maybe more.”

Louise, Flinders Park

11

What is a 6 Star Home Energy Rating?From 1 September 2010, all new homes in South Australia will be required to achieve a 6 Star Home Energy Rating.

These energy efficiency requirements are included in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the South Australian Housing Code (SAHC).

The more stars you have (on a scale of 1 to 10 stars) the more comfortable your home will be without relying on artificial heating and cooling. This requirement will also apply to major alterations and additions to your existing home.

Achieving a 6 Star Energy Rating is easy at the beginning of the design process. In fact, many Australian homes already far exceed the minimum 6 star requirement.

Before signing on the dotted line, make sure you ask your builder

How many stars will my new home have?•

What can I do now to increase the star rating, and make my new home •more comfortable?

Quiet The more stars, the quieter your home will be.

Comfort Up to 5°C warmer in winter and 10°C cooler in summer.

energy SavingS 25% more energy efficient for heating and cooling.

HouSeHold budget SavingS Energy bills cut by approximately $300 per year.

?DID yoU knoWHeatwaves are the most under-rated natural hazard in Australia. Almost twice the number of fatalities are attributed to heatwaves in Australia than either tropical cyclones or floods.

A well-designed, well-insulated home gives you the best protection from the summer sun.

Why uPgRade FRom 5 to 6 StaRS?

22

Roof, ceiling and wall insulation conserves

internal heat in winter and insulates against

heat intrusionin summer

Stored heat released from �oor to heat room as the sun entry to building diminishes

Solid mass of tiles and concrete �oor absorb direct solar heat from the sun during day

Sun hood and eaves excludes summer heat from the sun

Building absorbs the natural heat from sun in winter

Insulation performanceof windows and doors

converves heat in winter and excludes

heat in summer

WinterSun

WinterSun

SummerSun

SummerSun

Maximise the orientation of your home (adapted from Prosper Group – prospergroup.com.au)

6 steps to a 6 star home Follow the 6 steps below to improve energy efficiency in Adelaide’s hot summers and cool winters.

StEp 1: ConSidER oRiEntation

Position the house to make your living areas face north, to let in winter sun.•

Locate garden areas to the north of your main living area so your sunlight isn’t •blocked by neighbouring buildings.

Minimise the length of exposed wall area, to reduce heat gains and losses.•

Use smaller and enclosed living zones to ensure that heat is not lost from large •open plan living spaces.

There are good designs to suit all block sizes and orientations. If your home •cannot face north you should concentrate more on the next steps.

The ‘R’ value is the measure of the product’s resistance to heat transfer.

The higher the ‘R’ value the more effective the insulation in reducing the heat flow in or out of the house.

InSuLatIon ‘R’ vaLue

33

StEp 2: inSulatE tHE Roof, WallS and CEiling

The recommended minimum insulation values for roof and ceiling is R3.2. •

The recommended minimum insulation values for walls is R1.9.•

Avoid black or dark roofing materials. Light coloured roofing can reduce your •home’s heat absorption by 30%.

StEp 3: WindoW dESign

Face larger windows to the north and minimise windows to the east and west, •where they gain most direct summer sun.

Windows are energy rated just like your house and your fridge, so ask about •the energy star rating of your new windows. Don’t forget that some windows perform better in summer, while others are better in winter. your choice for each window will depend on the room it is in, and the direction it faces.

Consider the use of tinted glass and energy efficient window frames such •as timber.

Design for windows that open and shut to allow cross ventilation and reduce •your reliance on air conditioning units.

Ensure flyscreens are fitted to windows and doors, allowing for •natural ventilation.

Ensure windows are protected by eaves, pergolas or shutters.•

Install internal curtains, blinds and pelmets. •

a windows cooling and heating performance is rated separately on a scale of 0 to 10 stars – the more stars, the better.

(www.wers.net)

Cooling Band

Performance of window to keep heat out

Heating Band

Performance of window to keep heat in

44

StEp 4: SHading

Eaves of at least 450mm are essential to keep summer sun off the walls •and windows.

Include verandahs and pergolas in your design. •

Install external window shades and blinds.•

Use plants and trees to shade your home in summer, particularly near windows •to reduce unwanted glare and heat gain.

Deciduous trees and vines work best. They let in the winter sun, and give shade •in summer.

StEp 5: poSitioning gaRdEn aREaS

Locate your garden to the north of your main living space.•

Design shaded garden areas to let sun into the home during winter.•

Angled or adjustable louvres can be used in pergolas to block summer sun and •let in winter sun.

StEp 6: avoid unWantEd HEat, Cold aiR and dRaftS

Install good weather seals on all external doors and windows.•

Introduce separation to the entry passage, or staircase in double storey homes, •by installing a separate door.

Add doors to living spaces so that you can close the door to heat or cool a •smaller area.

WinterSun

SummerSun

Eaves and leafy trees keepout the summer sun

Deciduous treeskeep out the

summer heatbut let in the

winter sun

Close windows to keep out the hot summer and cold winter winds

Reduce heat loss with roof and ceiling insulation

North facing windowsmaximise the winter sun

Aid temperature control with well insulated heavyweight internal walls

avoid unwanted heat, cold air and drafts (adapted from originenergy.com.au)

55

Renovating your existing home?Major renovations, such as additions, extensions or relocations of one or •more habitable rooms, will also need to meet the new 6 star standard from 1 September 2010. This includes class 10a buildings such as a sunroom or glazed conservatory.

The same 6 steps apply: orientation, insulation, windows, shading, positioning •garden areas and excluding drafts.

If you are adding an extension, think about how natural light and air flows •between the new areas and older parts of the home. Installing doors to exclude air from older, poorly insulated areas is often a good idea.

you may like to take this opportunity to upgrade insulation in your whole home, •and improve comfort throughout.

66

?DID yoU knoWSubstituting a conventional electric hot water system with a heat pump or solar hot water system saves around four tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year. This is as much as an average large car produces in a year.

It can also save you 60% off your hot water bill per year.

77

How to save energyChoosing the right appliances will also make a big difference to your energy bills.

Buy the most efficient hot water service and refrigerator – together these •appliances account for over 30% of your energy bills.

Buy whitegoods with an energy rating of at least 3 stars.•

Select an energy efficient air conditioning unit and set it up with ‘zones’ – you •don’t always need to cool the whole house.

Reduce the number of lights you need by choosing simple fittings, with •individual switches.

Buy energy efficient compact fluorescent globes.•

Install an outside clothes line, to reduce your use of a clothes dryer.•

Consider solar landscape lighting. •

Consider installing an internal energy meter with an easy to read digital display •so you can see how much energy you are using at any one time.

36% Heating and cooling

7% Lighting

6% Cooking

20% Other appliances (inc standby)

24% Water heating

7% Fridges and freezers

typical Home Energy use

88

How to save waterA 1,000 litre rainwater tank must, by law, be installed in all new homes. •Rainwater capacity can easily and cheaply be increased to 3,000 litres or even 10,000 litres if you have space available.

Rainwater stored in tanks can be safely connected to the whole house – or to •toilet, laundry and garden areas only if you prefer.

Choose water efficient tapware rated to at least 4 stars. •

Locate all hot water outlets as close as possible to the hot water system and •insulate the pipes to reduce heat loss.

Consider installing a recirculating hot water supply to further minimise waste of •energy and water.

Design your garden to use a water efficient ‘dripper’ irrigation system.•

Consider a grey water diversion system to reuse the water that comes from your •shower and laundry.

If you have a pool, make sure you use a pool cover.•

Check out the City of Charles Sturt website for a list of local native plants •for your garden. native plants are heat tolerant and use less water.

How to recycleDesign your kitchen to make recycling easy. you will need a large container for •recycling and smaller containers for food scraps and general waste.

Store your wheelie bins so that they are handy to use and wheel out on •collection day.

Consider allocating space in your garden for composting.•

?DID yoU knoWInstalling 5 star water efficient tapware and fittings in your new home can save more than 100,000 litres per year. This is equivalent to 2.5 backyard swimming pools.

99

1010

How to get the most from your 6 star homeWhat to do in winter

only heat the rooms you need.•

Close windows and doors in unused rooms to avoid heat loss. •

Use and draw close-fitting curtains or blinds at night to keep heat in.•

Install pelmets – these trap a layer of insulating still air between the window •and the room.

When you need to artificially heat your home, set your heating thermostat •between 18°C and 21°C to save energy and money, while keeping you comfortable.

What to do in summeronly cool the rooms you need.•

Draw down external blinds and awnings during the day – particularly west, east •and north facing windows.

keep heat out by closing windows, doors, and drawing close-fitting curtains •and blinds.

natural breezes and fans will help you feel cooler and more comfortable. •

When you need to artificially cool your home, set your air conditioning •thermostat between 23°C and 26°C to save energy and money, while keeping you comfortable.

?DID yoU knoWIn summer set your thermostat 1°C higher to save 10% off your cooling costs.

1111

1212

1313

go beyond 6 starsAiming for a 7, 8, 9 or 10 star home will further improve your comfort and save you money over the life of your home.

The best way to improve your home beyond the 6 Star minimum requirement is to engage a Home Energy Assessor. They can model your home and work out which upgrades provide the most benefit to improve your living environment.

Details of your local Home Energy Assessors can be found at www.absa.net.au

grants and rebateskeep your eye on these Government Schemes to help you pay for improvements to your home:

Sa Water H• 2oME rebates www.sawater.com.au

australian government Energy Efficient Homes• www.environment.gov.au/eehp

Sa government Rebates and grants• www.dtei.sa.gov.au/energy

for more information Your Home ‘design for lifestyle and the future’�• www.yourhome.gov.au/technical

association of Building Sustainability assessors• www.absa.net.au

Home appliance Energy Ratings• www.energyrating.gov.au

Water Efficiency labelling and Standards (WElS) Scheme• www.waterrating.gov.au

?DID yoU knoWTwo square metres of unshaded glass heats a room as much as a bar radiator.

72 Woodville Road Woodville South australia 5011

telephone 8408 1111

www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au

This booklet is printed on CyclusPrint Matt, a 100% recycled stock made entirely from post-consumer waste. By printing with a green printer 552kg of damaging greenhouse (Co

2) emissions

have been saved. By comparison the average Australian home generates 1,333kg Co2 per month.