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How to save money and energy around the house

Source: perthnow.com.au
Date: 28 March 2009

FOLLOW our family friendly guide on how to save money and energy around the house.

Around the house

Check for and repair any holes in your ceiling, floor, windows, walls, roof, pipes and plumbing. These can release cool or warm air, which increases your energy use, especially when you are trying to keep your house cool in summer and warm in winter.
Block off the chimney when not in use because it will allow hot air to enter the house in summer.
Repair dripping taps.
Shut off or turn down appliances when going on an extended trip.

Heating and cooling

Install ceiling and wall insulation because this is the most efficient way to get the most out of your heating and cooling equipment - and a great way of reducing your electricity bill.
Install lined curtains, blinds or solar screen shades to stop the house heating up in summer.
Close windows when cooling or heating the house.
Use reverse-angle ceiling fans to force hot air down to floor level. They cost only about 1c an hour to run and can reduce your heating costs.

Lighting

Turn off lights whenever they aren't in use.
Turn lights off when you leave a room, or if the room is empty.
Replace old incandescent light globes with energy-saving globes. They provide the same quality and amount of light, but use 80 per cent less energy and last eight times longer.
Install motion detectors to control lighting in areas that are not often used but where security is required, such as the front door or side path.
Clean light fittings regularly because dirt reduces their output.

Laundry

Use the washing machine only when you have a full load.
Use cold water whenever possible in your washing machine.
Don't rely on your dryer. Use the clothesline. Not only does this save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it also leaves your clothes smelling fresher.

Kitchen

Fill the dishwasher before turning it on.
Open the fridge only when necessary.
Defrost fridges and freezers before ice build-up becomes thick. Or buy a fridge/freezer with auto-defrost capability.
Cook on range-top burners instead of in the oven whenever possible.
Clean fridge coils regularly.
Service the fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and oven regularly.

35% unwanted heat comes through unprotected windows. Seal your house against the winter chills. Weather strip your doors and windows. It's hard to think about weatherproofing and keeping the winter chills out of the house when the temperature outside is hovering in the high 30Cs. But if you start now, just imagine how much warmer and energy-efficient your house will be by the time the mercury starts dropping.

Seal those draughts
One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to winter-proof your house is to seal out draughts found around doors and windows throughout the house.

Weather stripping
Weather stripping is a simple and cost-effective way of making your house draught-proof.
These self-adhesive polyester strips come in a range of thicknesses, lengths and colours to suit all your requirements. They are also waterproof, long-lasting and simple to install. Weather stripping also keeps out dust, rain, noise and insects and stops the rattle of doors and windows in strong winds.

Where to install
Look at your door and window frames. Can you see any light penetrating through? These gaps need to be filled to reduce draughts.

Type of door or window

Weather strips are used on all types of doors and windows. Single or double doors, inward or outward-opening doors, sliding, security and screen doors.
Sliding, hopper and sash windows can all be treated with seals.
Before buying the strips, identify the type of door or window to ensure you buy the correct type of seal.
Some are draught seals only. Others are also rainproof. Ask your hardware shop specialists for advice if you are unsure.

Bedroom
The quickest way to save energy in the bedroom is to make sure lights are not left on unnecessarily. Try buying an extra blanket in winter to keep warm instead of having the heating on overnight. In summer, use fans instead of airconditioning.

Bathroom
This is where water is wasted unnecessarily. Make sure all taps are turned off properly, don't use running water and watch for leaks.
Change over to a AAA water-saving shower rose. You'll reduce your water use by at least 9 litres a minute and cut down on your water heating bills. Make even bigger savings by installing a solar hot water service.

Laundry
Be water-smart in the laundry by washing clothes only when you have a full load. This will use less water and energy.

Outdoors
Try to choose and use more eco-friendly products such as fertilisers, mulch and wetting agents in your garden and set up a compost bin to reduce your household's impact on the environment.
Water the garden according to your local restrictions and focus on the spots that need the most water to make the most of your efforts. Save water used in the garden by planting drought-tolerant plants and native shrubs.

Living space
Energy can escape in open areas, especially in open-plan houses.
Your heating and cooling efforts will be most affected in these areas, so make sure you check for drafts and that your roof is adequately insulated.
Heat can also escape from windows and doors, so open and close them at appropriate times. Think about installing skylights to let in natural light.

Save on air conditioning

In living rooms and bedrooms, airconditioning has become a must for comfortable living. But with cooling and heating comprising about 11 per cent of household power consumption, the choice of product and its careful use are top priorities.

But as you head out to snap up the first possible bargain, remember it's the star rating and energy-level rating that really counts.
Buy an airconditioner with a 4.5-star rating at the very least for a 10 to 30 per cent saving on running costs.

Opting for a thermostat-controlled unit will save you a further 15 per cent for every 1C warmer you set the thermostat. A good temperature for summer 24C, but energy consumption increases by 10 per cent with each degree lower than this.

Use the star and energy-level ratings to find the most efficient appliances. The more stars the better. You'll save with 4.5 stars, but you'll save even more with 6-star models. If you're stuck for choice between two models with the same star rating, take a look at the energy-rating label. The unit with the lower number will use less electricity and save you more in the long run.

Make the right choice:

Get professional advice on the right output capacity for your home.
Choose units with inverters that respond to the changing cooling/heating needs of your room.
Look for an easily adjustable thermostat.
Keep heat out by drawing curtains and blinds, and closing doors and windows.
Only cool the rooms you need.
Seal gaps around doors and windows.
Top up insulation. Fully insulating your home can halve costs associated with heating and cooling.
Do you need an airconditioner?
Ceiling and portable fans circulate air and create a welcome breeze.
When that welcome cool change finally arrives, open your doors, windows and dampeners on fireplaces to vent hot air and cool your home naturally.

Choosing a cooling system

A range of different cooling systems that will suit all kinds of homes are now available. When buying a cooling system, begin by considering your household requirements including:

The size of the area you want to cool - is it a small space, a whole room, a few rooms or the whole house?
The features of the space - is it draughty or well insulated? How high are the ceilings?
The frequency and duration of cooling required - does the space need to be cooled all day, every day or just at particular times?

To select the cooling system that may best suit your household requirements, consider and compare:

The attributes of different cooling systems.
Energy efficiency ratings.
Purchase, installation and long-term running costs.
The life expectancy of the unit.

Save up to 70 per cent on heating and cooling bills with the right insulation. The effectiveness of insulation is always measured as an "R"' value based on its thickness and density - the higher the R Value, the better. For example, if you get ceiling insulation rated at least R3.5 professionally installed in accordance with the Australian Standard, you can more than halve your heating and cooling costs.

Installation by a trained installer ensures your insulation is gap free. A gap of just 5 per cent can cut its effectiveness by up to 40 per cent. Where possible, insulation is also recommended for walls and suspended floors, and the ideal time to get it installed is when you're renovating or building. Walls generally have a smaller air gap than a roof space, so an insulation rated R2.0 is recommended.

Dale Alcock Homes - For Today. For Tomorrow.

As the years go by, a thoughtfully designed home will contribute to your life. Always striving to innovate in design, construction and service, we keep an eye on the future, to ensure the home you choose today is still adding value to your life tomorrow.

www.dalealcock.com.au

How to save money and energy around the house

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