Improving Household Energy Efficiency Save Energy Save Money

Improving Household Energy Efficiency Save Energy, Save Money

Household power use (average) Why focus on electricity? How much energy? What you can do about – ◦ Space heating and cooling ◦ Hot water ◦ Refrigeration ◦ Appliance ◦ Lighting ◦ Cooking What we will be talking about

Household power use

Number of people in the home Electricity (k. Wh per year) One 4, 900 - 6, 600 Two 6, 600 - 8, 800 Three 7, 600 - 10, 100 Four 8, 700 - 11, 200 Five 12, 200 - 16, 300 Six or more 11, 600 - 15, 500 Average 6, 500 - 8, 700 Electricity Usage (Assume all electric house)

Households consumer greater than 50% of their energy in the form of electricity (the next closest is natural gas - 33%). Electricity costs here in Aus have gone up anywhere between 60% and 80% in the last 5 years Like water through a sieve, electricity can leak out of your household, costing you money for no real benefit. Each k. Whr of electricity generates 0. 99 kg Co 2 (in NSW) Why Focus on Electricity?

That which you don’t measure, you don’t control – Edwards Demming Conduct an energy audit Multifunction Power Meter MS 6115 Elite Classic remote power meter from Efergy IR Thermometer How Much Energy?

Insulate, insulate, insulate! Roof insulation Wall insulation Under floor insulation for houses on piers Treat windows (see next slide) Swamp cooler Wearable blanket (dress warmly) Solar heating – sun lizard Passive solar heating Wood heater Space Heating & Cooling

Double glazing – plastic sheet, plastic film, extra glass, replace (u. PVC be careful) Curtain with pelmet Shutters Bubble wrap Styrofoam sheet Shade cloth Gift wrap Window quilt Outside blinds Windows

Solar hot water with gas boost For small jobs – solar heat in container then transfer to an vacuum flask (airpot) Timed showers/ smart shower head Wash hands & clothes in cold water Turn thermostat down (60°C for storage heater 50°C for instantaneous) Turn thermostat down or off if going away (check manual) Full dishwasher only Hot water

Evaporation – Coolgardie safe and pot-in- pot cooler Freeze ice bricks and place in the top of fridge. Go vegan and turn it off! Fill up the freezer, empty the fridge Build your own – heavily insulated Refrigeration

Turn off appliances at the wall (phantom loads) Buy energy efficient appliances (read the label) – LED TV rather than plasma Consider substituting hand tools/ appliances Solar torches, radio, phone charger etc Appliances

Turn off all lights when leaving a room Replace incandescent & halogen with fluorescent bulbs Efficient spot lighting Solar lighting (Sunnan) Romantic candle light Waste veg oil lamp Lighting

Rocket stove Stored heat cooker (haybox & vacuum) Wok Pressure cooker Lid-on/hot water cooking(Pasta/rice) Behaviour – fill up oven; size burner to the pot, turn down after boiling, one-pot meals) Solar cookers Cooking

Seek to learn (audit) Develop a plan Change behaviour first (costs nothing) Go for the big wins (eg solar hot water) Set yourself some projects Involve the family Have some fun! Where to from here?

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