Want to make your home more sustainable this year, but don’t know where to start? From solar panels and LEDs to understanding the energy ratings of appliances, we’ll help you crack the eco-friendly code.
Accounting for around 10% of the average household electricity budget in Australia, switching out traditional halogen light bulbs for light-emitting diodes – or LEDs, will save you some dosh, and ensures your home is using energy far more eco-consciously.
Why? LED globes are the most energy-efficient lighting choice. For example, an 806-lumen LED globe will give you the equivalent of a regular 60w globe, but will only use 7.5w of power. They also have a far longer lifespan – lasting up to ten times longer than their halogen counterparts, meaning less landfill.
If you’re looking to take the next step, smart lighting, which uses LED bulbs with software that allows you to connect to an app, smart home assistant, or other smart accessory to control your lights anywhere you have wifi access. Smart lighting can also be used to automate your lighting, allowing you to set your lighting to turn on and off at specific times, or after a period of time without use.
In terms of cost, while the initial purchase and installation price is more expensive than regular LED bulbs, despite being constantly ‘on’ – even when they’re not illuminated, consumer watchdog Choice found there’s very little difference in running costs between smart and non-smart LED lights.
Renewable electricity alternatives to gas appliances for heating, cooking, and hot water are more efficient and cheaper to run, with electric heat pumps producing three times more energy than they use, while their gas equivalents lose energy while being used, and an estimated 80 percent reduction in power bills if gas connections are removed from the home altogether.
Combining solar PV – which generates energy from the sun, and a battery system to store it for use when the sun goes down, gets you closer to energy self-sufficiency, and is not as expensive as you may think. The cost of a home solar PV system starts at around $3,500 for a basic installation.
When it comes to choosing the right solution for your home and needs, there are a few points to consider:
An estimated 40 percent of household energy use comes from heating and cooling, making it a key area to do your homework.
A key factor in choosing the most energy-efficient heating and cooling system is to pick a size that will meet your needs. Factors that affect the size of the air conditioner you need include:
Once you have decided on the right size and type of air conditioner, take a look at the energy ratings of the available options.
As it can be a sizeable investment and complex to navigate, it’s wise to discuss your options with several suppliers or installers so they can advise on the air conditioners that may be appropriate for you, likely running costs, and placement of the air conditioner to improve its energy efficiency.
Save thousands on the things you need to renovate or maintain your dream home.
One of the main functions of insulation is to improve the energy efficiency of your home – properly installed, roof insulation could save up to 20 percent off your monthly heating and cooling costs. As a guide, insulation should be replaced about every 20 years.
Two types of insulation effectively reduce heat transfer:
A combination of both is ideal, with the reflective insulation installed under your roof, and bulk insulation installed above your ceiling in the ceiling cavity.
The biggest water users in the home are: 
Switching to water-efficient appliances in the bathroom and laundry alone can therefore up the eco-performance of your home. The easiest way to do this is using the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme, which allows you to compare the water efficiency of a range of appliances and fixtures.
As a guide:
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You can work out the estimated running cost of an appliance using the following formula:
Annual running cost = Total energy consumption (kWh) × Electricity tariff (dollars per kWh) – this is found in the service calculation section of your electricity bill
You can use the Energy Rating Calculator to find star ratings and estimated running costs for a range of appliances.
An example of using the Energy Rating Calculator to determine the cheaper appliance to run:
Toilets also come with WELS ratings. A conventional toilet uses about 12 litres of water per flush. A dual flush toilet uses only 3 litres with a half flush and 4.5 litres per full flush. That is a water saving of 9 litres for a half flush and 7.5 litres for a full flush.
The best way to determine how much water you save with a dual flush toilet is to count the number of times a toilet is flushed in a day and multiply that number by a year. Like a water-saving shower head, the amount of water you save can be extraordinary over the course of a year and when you consider how many years you flush toilets, it amounts to tens of thousands of litres of water.
In short, yes.
Plumbers, like builders, electricians, and gasfitters, have to be licensed in every state/territory to operate. Hiring an unlicensed – and potentially unqualified – plumber could result in some serious issues for your home or premises.
Just imagine if a drain or piping in a bathroom is not installed correctly – you could be stuck with a very expensive repair bill. It’s as easy as asking to see their plumbing license or running an online check on their license number.
