Homes are:• Bathed in free energy from the sun

Are brushed by• Many cooling breezes

And• Drenched by free rainwater Yet• Rarely do houses make use of that

available energy and water......

But...All the energy and water required for housing can be gained from a regular housing site at modest costIf...• the home and occupants are efficient with

the use of the harvested resources.

By making your house more efficient......

It will-• Cost less to run• Be more comfortable• Minimise energy needs • Minimise water needs.

Also• Potentially cost nothing to run

• Motivated people with knowledge stand to enjoy great benefits.  

Planets needed to support us…..

• We would need 4 planets if everyone consumed at levels Australians currently do.... 

• 3 more than we have, if we continue with 'business as usual'. 

credit:infografik.com

Global perspective

Is change is necessary?

• Humanity depends entirely on the natural world

• The natural world now depends entirely on humanity.

• A massively expanding population is consuming and polluting way beyond sustainable levels.

Energy awareness

Energy efficiency is cheaper than energy production. - it reduces the need for more power stations. 

Buildings consume 20% of energy produced in Australia. 

Large changes to energy costs and carbon pollution can be made if we understand-• the relationship of buildings and energy use• appliances and energy use

.....and energy an understanding of energy itself

How is household energy measured?Understanding Energy.

KwH?     KwH/Day?     MJ?

A KwH, Kilowatt/hour is the standard electrical unit of energy measurement.

A Megajoule is the standardunit of combustion fuels- ie gas, oil and wood. 

1 KWh = 3.6 MJ  

A traditional analogue

meter

A new digital smartmeter

Examples of how fast energy is used

A kilowatt hour is the energy used by-

This size electric heater over 1 hour. (1000 watts for 1 hour)

or

this gas heater for 10 minutes-(Heater rated at 21 MJ (or 6 KW)

or 

this light bulb for 55 hours(18 watts ) 

Metering and Billing

• Electrical in KwH  • Gas bills in MJ or megajoules

Prioritise energy saving strategies by looking at energy use patterns.  

The main problems with houses?• Most of the 8.7 million existing residences were built without

considering the local climate or site. • Energy has to date been so cheap, that it has been possible

to rely on switching on appliances to create comfortable interiors. 

• not any more...

    Major issues include:• Poorly insulated• Windows facing wrong ways• Ineffective window coverings• Dark coloured roofs • Poorly designed downlighting• Lack of eaves• Lack of trees• Unfavourable orientation

credit: Nearmap.com

What can householders do?

CostFree

Low cost

Relatively high cost

... to maintain or improve comfort levels while reducing the cost of living. 

The way the house and appliances are used has a large impact upon energy saving and the cost of

living.

  Effects• reduce bills,

increase comfort

• reduce bills, increase comfort 

• large long term savings

 Actions• Behavioural -ie opening

& shutting windows & curtains.

• Low- tech ie installation of pelmets, low flow showers

• High tech installation of Solar hardware  

Some options for saving energy and water. 

• Renovating or extending is the perfect time to make substantial improvements to energy and water conservation. 

• Other ideas will apply to specific house types. 

• Some ideas will apply  to almost all houses

• Good design costs no more than poor design - -just the right people, with the right ideas.

Huge savings can be made by landscaping and adopting simple principles.

• keep the sun off your house walls in summer.

• let the sun flood through your windows in winter

• passive solar design• Ensure all northern

windows have eaves

credit:yourhome.gov.au

Priorities for Winter 1Conserve energy

Not much point buying energy when it is leaking from your house!

Stop the heat leaking from your house!• Curtains and pelmets• Block all holes -halogens,  -

fans -door cracks• Insulation • If doing renovations,

ensure correct insulation goes in all walls! 

radiation through windows

radiation through wall from fireplace

credit: ves energy store

Priorities for Winter- 2Window areas are responsible for a large amount of heat loss. The most effective window dressings by far are:• Thermal curtains and

pelmets or• Cellular Blinds-

recessed into window frames

Both options need to be close fitting, eliminating air gaps at sides, tops and bottoms.

credit: energy.sa gov.au

credit: hunter douglass

Priorities for Winter 3

Bulk insulation - ie batts, cellulose fibre, etc. in walls, ceiling and floor. where possible. ( R3.6 - R4 )

Early model skylights are a major source of heat loss- install extra layer of glazing at ceiling level. 

Exhaust fans can leak large amounts of heat from a house. -Fit with a self closer, or replace with a self closing unit

Priorities for winter -4Let the sun shine in!

-ie for every 2 square meters of window, the sunlight brings in the same heat as this heater, but for free. 

 "passive solar heating"

Winter sun radiates 500 watts / sq M.

Summer priorities-1• Plant trees and shrubs to prevent morning and afternoon

sun getting onto  or into your house to the east and west.• Suburbs and towns, & regions have been shown to be 2-4

degrees cooler  in summer, if well vegetated

• keep northern roof space in the sun in case you want to install solar hot water, or solar electric.  

Summer priorities-2

• Install reflective foil under the iron, tiles or rafters.

• install eaves over northern windows

• insulate and line the verandah

• shade east and west windows from the exterior

Summer sun radiates 1000 watts sq / m   

Summer priorities- Keeping cool

Breezes- freeCeiling fans, or pedestal fans-

about 1 cent/ hour

Average modern reverse cycle A/C  (2.6 Kw) -about 50 cents-$1.04/hour

-Requires thoughtful

planning but great rewards

credit: yourhome

Summer-  Different approaches

Issues with down-lights• There is a continuous heat

loss during winter through the ceiling around the light fitting, as insulation must be kept clear. 

• heat gain in summer 

Appliances and energy ratingsStar rating is relative efficiency.

• The number gives the actual energy consumed per year (average use)

• It is easy to calculate how much an appliance will cost to run.

• Multiply Kwh/ year (on sticker) x current unit cost of electricity.

• (Efficiency standards are improved every few years, last done April 2010. 

Priorities for water• Quality low-flow shower-

head- 5 -7.5 litres / min.• 4 star dual flush toilets • connect toilets to

rainwater • consider a composting

toilet (no water, no smells, good compost)

• rebates are available for most water saving and rainwater tanks. 

• Get the largest tank feasible

• tank specialist or 'enviro plumber'

HOME POWER SAVINGS PROGRAM Free help for pensioners and families on a low income to save up to 20% off their power use

Who is eligible?• Contribute to the energy bills for the property• Be an energy utility hardship customer OR have

one of the following:o Centrelink Pensioner Concession

Cardo Centrelink Low Income Health Care

Cardo Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Pensioner Concession Cardo Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Repatriation Health Card (White or Gold)

• This program is open to both renters and owner occupiers

Get cash back to green your homeThe NSW Government’s $170 million Home Saver Rebates include:• $300 for solar, heat pump and gas hot water

systems replacing electric systems• $35 for removal of old working second fridge

(Central Coast only)• Up to $1,500 for rainwater tanks that are

connected to a washing machine and toilet• $200 for a 4 star dual flush toilet suite to replace   a

single flush toilet• $150 for installing a hot water circulator for

instantaneous gas hot water.• $1000 Federal Government rebate

for solar hot water 

HEAVY DISCOUNTS for shower head, toilet and plumbing in Hunter Water supply region and includes Port Stephens, Dungog, Cessnock, Maitland, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and part of the Singleton shire. 1300657657

Future developments relating to household energy. 

Carbon tax - • Encourage energy efficiency• Provide an incentive for

developers, home-owners and landlords to make houses more efficient.

• Put pressure on appliance manufacturers to make them more efficient

• target the root problem• (Avoid tax by minimising

energy use)

Energy ratings for houses and units. This will-

• Provide potential purchasers or tenants a clear indication of likely  operational costs.

• Provide incentive to improve the thermal performance of houses

Solar energy options. 

Thank you.

evacuated tube - 'split system'

evacuated tube- thermo-syphon solar electric (PV)

flat panel thermo-syphon Heat pump

Ensure solar companies are CEC certified (CleanEnergyCouncil.org.au)

thank you

Currently the only abundant source of renewable, sustainable energy