Effecient Energy Use
EFFICIENT ENERGY USE
Using energy efficiently is the best way to reduce energy bills and environmental impacts while maintaining or even improving comfort levels. Some solutions cost nothing at all. Most investments in energy efficiency will pay for themselves through lower energy bills.
HOT WATER
- Choose the most efficient hot water service and the best energy source to meet your needs. Solar, gas and electric heat pump systems produce far fewer greenhouse emissions than conventional electric storage systems. Gas boosted solar is the most greenhouse efficient form of water heating.
- Locate water heaters close to those areas where hot water is used.
- Showers usually use the most hot water in a home. Install AAA rated water efficient showerheads. The AAA scheme ensures they will provide a satisfying shower.
- Set the thermostat between 60 to 65°C on storage hot water systems and 50°C on instantaneous systems.
- Insulate hot water pipes.
- Turn off the hot water system when on holidays.
- Put a timer on the electric booster of solar water heaters and on peak electric storage systems to avoid heating water when not needed.
- Hot water accounts for about 30 percent of household energy use.
HEATING AND COOLING YOUR HOME
- Use high efficiency gas, electric heat pump or wood heaters (where appropriate) for room heating rather than electric convection and radiant heaters. Radiant heaters are suitable for bathrooms when used for short periods of time.
- Use passive design principles to increase comfort and minimise the need for heating and cooling.
- Gas heaters and room air conditioners have energy rating labels. Choose the right sized heater or air conditioner for your needs with the most stars on the label.
- Avoid centralised systems unless your home is well insulated. Ensure centralised systems have zone controls and thermostats.
- Use ceiling fans instead of air coolers. If cooling is required, use evaporative systems in low humidity areas.
- If air conditioning is needed choose high efficiency models.
COOKING EFFICIENTLY
- There are currently no energy rating labels for cookers to help choose the most efficient models.
- In general, choose gas cooktops rather than electric. They are cheaper to use, often have more responsive controls and produce less greenhouse emissions.
- A gas cooktop will produce less than half the greenhouse gases of a standard electric unit.
- A gas oven will also usually produce less greenhouse gas than an equivalent quality electric model.
- However some very efficient electric cooktops and ovens are available. Ask your retailer or the manufacturer for information.
- When using gas, kitchen ventilation must be adequate. Use a range hood vented outdoors to get rid of combustion gases and steam.
- Fan forced ovens are about 30 percent more efficient than conventional units, which can waste up to 90 percent of the energy used.
- Some electric ovens can be divided into compartments for cooking small items.
- Look for ovens with high levels of insulation and triple glazed, low-e coated windows.
- Avoid opening the oven door unnecessarily when cooking. Make sure the door seal is clean and in good condition.
- Use a microwave when possible rather than an oven, as they use less than half the energy.
- Try not to over fill the kettle. Boil only the amount of water needed.
- Use a kettle or gas cooktop to boil water rather than a microwave oven or electric cooktop.
- Efficient cooking methods such as using pots with fitted lids, simmering instead of boiling and using a pressure cooker will save energy.
- Match the size of pots to the size of the element or flame.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
- Electrical appliances account for about 25 percent of household energy use.
- When purchasing white goods (refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, clothes dryers and dishwashers) look for the Energy Rating Label. This label gives a star rating and annual energy consumption for the appliance. The more stars, the more efficient the appliance.
- Choose an appliance with the highest number of stars.
- Sometimes an efficient appliance may cost a little more to buy, but it will soon pay for itself in reduced energy bills.
- Buy appliances that are the right size for you. A larger model will use more energy than a smaller one with the same star rating. Always check the energy label for the number of kWh (units of electricity) used per year.
- Choose appliances with energy or water saving features, such as clothes washers with cold wash cycles, economy or "eco" cycles and load size selection.
- Avoid using appliances unnecessarily. Dry clothes on a line rather than in the clothes dryer.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for defrosting fridges and freezers.
- Use appropriate load sizes for clothes washers and clothes dryers.
- Locate appliances that use hot water as close to the hot water service as possible to reduce heat losses in pipes.
- Use cold wash cycles and other energy saving features.
LIGHTING
- Use fluorescent or compact fluorescent lamps instead of incandescent bulbs in areas that are used a lot, like living rooms and kitchens.
- Avoid using low voltage downlights for general lighting as they are not energy efficient.
- Turn off lights when not needed.
- Use timers or sensors on outdoor security lights.
- Use separate switches for each light fitting.
- Consider using solar lighting for outdoor areas.
- Use the minimum wattage lamp to provide sufficient light.
- Fluorescent bulbs use about one quarter of the energy of normal bulbs.
- Use task lighting to supplement general lighting if needed.
- Use well designed windows and skylights to provide natural light while keeping winter warmth in and summer heat out.
- Stand-by energy is drawn when some electrical equipment is not actually being used, such as when the TV is turned off with the remote control rather than with the switch on the set or at the wall. It is sometimes used to power digital displays or maintain memory settings, but often it is just wasted energy.
- Be aware of the standby energy use of electrical equipment such as TVs, videos, clocks, computers, faxes, microwaves, security systems, battery chargers and power packs.
- Stand-by energy use can account for 10 percent or more of household electricity use.
- Some appliances, such as videos and microwaves with digital displays, can use much more energy over a year in standby than in actual operation.
BUILDING DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
- When designing a new kitchen or laundry, think about the best layout and placement of appliances to maximise efficiency.
- Refrigerators and freezers should be located out of direct sunlight and away from other sources of heat such as ovens and stoves. This is an important consideration in kitchen design.
- Appliances that require hot water should be located as close to the hot water service as possible to reduce heat losses in pipes.