Update your home for energy savings

Heating and cooling

Across south-eastern parts of Australia, heating is the major contributor to household energy bills. Sustainability Victoria estimates that, in Victoria, the two biggest running costs in terms of energy usage are home heating (38 percent) and water heating (15 percent). In more northern areas, cooling devices such as air-conditioning often ramp up electricity bills.

To improve your home’s comfort and reduce energy usage, Sustainability Victoria recommends considering a highly efficient electric reverse-cycle air conditioner (split system). “It’s the most energy efficient and lowest cost option to heat your home and can provide year-round benefits when switching to cooling in summer.”

Consider the kW capacity you’ll need to effectively heat and cool a room. This can vary based on factors like room size, ceiling height and local climate. Use an online calculator, seek advice in-store, and check the Energy Rating labels – the more stars an appliance has, the more energy efficient it is.

Another tip for winter use is to heat a space to just the right temperature. “Between 18-20°C is what we call the ‘Goldilocks’ zone,” says Sustainability Victoria. “Every degree higher than 20°C will increase running costs by about 10 percent.”

To help ensure more efficient usage, isolate the area of your home you want to heat or cool by closing doors and windows to areas you aren’t using, and regularly clean the split system’s filter.

Water heating

If you’ve had your hot water system for a while, it could be time for an upgrade. You might want to invest in a more efficient model that is cheaper to run, such as an electric heat pump or solar hot water system. Do some research and look into government incentive programs, which may subsidise the cost of any home improvements.

“Electric heat pump water heaters are becoming a more common choice as they’re a straightforward replacement and do not require solar to be installed on the roof,” explains Sustainability Victoria.

“They’re incredibly efficient as they draw existing heat from the air. They can produce more than three units of energy output for every one unit of energy input, compared to conventional gas or electric hot water systems, which produce less than one unit of output for every one unit of input.”

Other ways to reduce water heating costs and save money on your energy bills include washing clothes in cold water rather than warm, switching to water-efficient shower heads and taking shorter showers.

Lighting

If you haven’t already made the switch, swap your light bulbs to LEDs. “LED lights are the most efficient option,” explains Sustainability Victoria. “They use around 80 percent less energy than the old incandescent light globes and around 50 percent less than compact fluorescent lamps, and should last five to ten times longer, too.”

Encourage the whole family to save electricity and switch off lights when not in use. This will help reduce energy costs, and it also means less environmental impact. Installing motion sensor lights in spaces like stairwells, hallways and entryways is a handy way to ensure lights are only on when needed.

Insulation

Good insulation plays a key role in helping to maintain a stable temperature inside your home. Insulation is designed to keep heat outside during summer and inside during winter. To ensure (and potentially improve) energy efficiency year-round, check out how yours is faring. “If existing insulation is degraded, it may need to be removed and replaced. In houses with low levels of insulation, it can be topped up for better performance,” says Sustainability Victoria.

With a range of insulation products available for ceilings, pitched roofs, external walls, internal partitions and underfloor, it’s important to select the right type for the job. Insulation products are given an R value to rate its performance – how well it resists heat flow. Values range from 1.5 to 7; the higher the R value, the higher the level of insulation.

Draught prevention

When the temperature drops, chilly draughts can have an impact on your home’s energy efficiency. “Small gaps that allow air leakage can account for 25 percent of winter heat loss in homes,” says Sustainability Victoria.

Identifying and sealing gaps and cracks around windows, ceilings, doors, external walls and within floors is a quick, inexpensive fix, which will help boost your home’s temperature and decrease winter heating costs.

Attaching a door brush strip seal to external doors and placing draught stoppers where you need them is also an effective way to beat the chill.

Window treatments

Are your windows suitably dressed? According to Sustainability Victoria, up to 40 percent of a home’s heating energy can be lost through windows during the cooler months. “A well-fitted, thick curtain with a pelmet is the best window covering for limiting heat loss and should be closed when you have the heating on, especially after sundown when the temperature drops,” says Sustainability Victoria.

Flexible window coverings such as curtains and blinds are a great way to block out or retain heat, as desired. In winter, open them during the day to benefit from the sun’s heat and close them in the evening to keep heat in. In summer, you can keep them closed to reduce the heating effects of direct sun, which could help decrease your reliance on air-conditioning.

To help reduce power consumption in your home,

Check out our guide to choosing energy efficient lighting.

Photo Credit: Getty Images