Need to know

• It’s a low-effort, cheap and easy solution to increase household energy efficiency.
• A lot of the solutions can be done yourself.

Introduction
Cracks and gaps in our homes can account for up to 25 per cent of heat loss. Gaps can form around window and door frames, skirting boards, architraves, vents and exhaust fans. Fixing these can make your house more energy efficient by stopping warm air from escaping in winter and hot air entering in warmer months. You can get a lot of advice and materials at your local hardware store. Just explain what you are trying to seal, and they’ll help out.

Stopping draughts
You can fit draught excluders to the base of external and internal doors and foam strips around window gaps and door frames. Use expanding foam or gap filler rod to seal skirting boards, architraves, vents, lights or window frames (check the manufacturer’s label for directions)

Fit covers on exhaust fans that vent straight into the roof. These open when the fan is in use but stop draughts at other times. Cover evaporative cooler vents with magnetised vent covers. Seal any unnecessary permanent vents (often found in the walls and ceilings of old homes). If you have an un-flued gas heater, get a professional to check it's working well and not posing a dangerous risk in your home. If you use a wood heater, seek professional advice before draught-proofing your home.

Double glazed windows
A considerable amount of heat is lost and transferred into the house through its windows. Installing double-glazed windows can improve heat retention and heat absorption through summer.

Blinds, Curtains and Window Awnings
There are other ways to reduce heat loss or heat absorption through windows:

• Blinds and curtains are a cheap and easy way to maintain warmth in your home and keep it cooler in summer.
• Window awnings are another solution. They are installed on the outside of the house and can be rolled down to insulate windows.

What to Do

• To help you identify where the draughts are coming from you can use an incense stick or candle to test areas where droughts are potentially entering through cracks or gaps.
• Book a home energy audit kit from Alexandrina Library to identify cold spots in the home.
• Talk to staff at your local hardware store for advice about simple, do-it-yourself draught proofing solutions. Have a look at these tips for draught proofing.
• Book a home energy auditor to inspect your house and spot the cracks to repair.
• Some insulation and draught-proofing works are eligible for the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme. Contact your energy retailer and ask them about the scheme and how it can help you.

The energy we use in our homes is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. Added to that is the rising price of electricity gas from fossil fuel sources. This makes using our energy smarter all the more important.

Who doesn’t want lower bills and emissions? Our programs and information can help support your changes, but you can also find out here about:

• Solar energy and batteries
• Reverse cycle air conditioners
• Insulation
• Draught proofing your home
• Hot water heat pumps
• Solar pool heating
• Hydronic heating

Need to Know

• Energy bill savings will offset the investment cost within 5 years
• Need to consider the amount of space available for the installation

A hot water heat pump uses electricity to transfer heat from the air or ground to heat water. It works like a refrigerator or air conditioner, but instead of cooling air, it heats water. Hot water heat pumps use much less energy than a standard electric water heating system. In five years, the investment will pay off through reduced running costs. They are most efficient when the weather is warm but can still work well, even during colder months.

Hot water heat pumps can come as a split or integrated system. In a split system, the hot water tank sits inside the house and the compressor stays outside. In an integrated system, the compressor sits in the water storage tank. This option saves space but requires the installation to be outside. It is important to consider how much outdoor space is available to choose the best option.

What to Do

• Assess your heating needs with this Home Energy Audit
• Book a home energy audit kit from Alexandrina Library
• Rebates for hot water heat pumps are available via the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme. Contact your local energy retailer for more information

Need to Know

• Provides even heat throughout the house
• Can be expensive unless as part of renovation.

Hydronic heating uses hot water to transfer heat from a central boiler or heat pump to rooms within a building. The hot water is distributed through pipes or tubes installed in the walls, floors, or ceilings of the building, providing radiant heat to the surrounding area. They can appear in different forms, such as underfloor heating, wall heating, or ceiling heating.

Hydronic heating systems provide even, comfortable heat, and can be zoned to control the temperature in different areas of a house. They can also be used for cooling in the summer by reversing the refrigerant flow, making it a versatile heating and cooling system.

Emissions reduced from hydronic heating depends upon the energy source (e.g. renewables vs. gas). Also, installing hydronic heating pipes in an existing building is more difficult than in a new build or a renovated space.

What to Do

• Assess your heating needs with this Home Energy Audit
• Book a home energy audit kit from Alexandrina Library

If not well insulated, our home can easily lose up to 40 per cent of heat through the roof and 20 per cent through the walls.  Insulating your home helps you to maintain a comfortable temperature and reduce your bills. Insulating the walls and ceiling can provide many benefits:

• increased energy efficiency (reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer)
• reduce your dependence on heating and cooling appliances
• improved comfort with better control over the indoor temperature

There are two main types of insulation.

Bulk insulation traps tiny pockets of still air within its structure to reduce the heat flow. Bulk insulation is available as batts, blankets and boards or as loose fill which is pumped or blown into the area. There's a range of insulating materials: polyester, natural or glass wool, cellulose fibre, or expandable polystyrene. Bulk insulation keeps the heat in and suits cooler climates best.

Reflective foil is a layer of foil backed by paper or plastic that will bounce the heat back by radiation. It needs to be in an enclosed space and has to stay clean to remain effective. Any dust settled on it will make a big difference to how it works. Reflective foil keeps the heat out and is more effective in hot climates. Ask an insulation retailer to help you choose the right type of insulation product for your home.

What to Do

Make sure your insulation installer is trained to meet relevant Australian Standards. They also have to certify your installation meets relevant Australian Standards. Have your wiring inspected by a licensed electrician to ensure it can be safely covered by insulation and ask about the mandatory clearances around light fittings and transformers. Insulation must have a safe clearance around:

• halogen downlights or extra low voltage (ELV) downlights
• electrical wiring installed before 1986
• a gas or combustion heater with a flue through the roof
• high intensity heating lamps
• other items such as home security alarms, exhaust fans or water heaters.

It should also fit snugly between ceiling joists (bulk insulation will expand to a natural thickness). For reflective foil, a still air gap of at least 25 mm is required between it and the associated surface. It should also be clear of recessed light fittings and exhaust fans.

What’s the R value?
The R value is a measure of a material's resistance to heat transfer (known as thermal resistance). The higher the R value, the greater the insulating effect and energy savings. The recommended R value will vary according to the climate. Talk to your installer about what’s best for you.

Need to know

• Cheap way to warm and cool your house.
• Different systems for different houses.
• Use a thermostat to set the most comfortable and efficient temperature.

Introduction: Reverse-cycle air conditioners are the cheapest and most energy-efficient way to warm and cool your house. They collect energy from outside and use it to cool the house in summer and warm it in winter. Air conditioners are more efficient to warm space than electric heaters, generating a third of comparable emissions and costing only 25% as much to run.

Types of Air Conditioners

There are several types of reverse cycle air conditioning systems:

Split System: A split system needs one outdoor unit to provide heating or cooling and one indoor unit to diffuse it.  Good for smaller spaces and are cheaper and require less installation work than ducted systems.

Ducted: One outdoor unit provides heating and cooling for the whole house through ducts in the walls or ceiling. Ideal for heating and cooling a range of rooms in larger buildings.

Window System: Sits inside a window frame with half of the unit inside the house and the other half outside. Will only heat one room but is cost-effective and simple to install.

Portable: Can move from room to room where heating and cooling are required. Cost-effective and excellent no-installation solution for rentals. Need to be near a window or door to vent the hot or cold air through an exhaust hose. Some systems can be noisy.

Energy Ratings: Australian electrical products come with a star rating reflecting their energy consumption. The more stars, better the energy efficiency and the more you’ll save on your electricity bill. Newer model air conditioners have a rating that considers where you live. In Alexandrina, we align with the rating for Adelaide.

Thermostats: New air conditioner models have integrated programmers and thermostats to help you maintain the household temperatures and manage electricity consumption. Thermostat and timers provide:

• energy efficiency – the thermostat controls the temperature of the room and switches off the system when the desired temperature is reached. This prevents it from running unnecessarily, reducing your energy bill.
• comfort - a thermostat can help you maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. The system will automatically maintain the desired temperature you set.
• convenience - you don’t have to adjust the AC's temperature, the thermostat does this for you.
• safety - a thermostat prevents the system from running unnecessarily and reduces the risks of overheating and fire.

In winter, set your heating between 18°C and 20°C. In summer, set your cooling between 25°C and 27°C. For every degree you increase heating and cooling, you increase energy use between 5% and 10%. Shut doors and vents to unused areas. Only heat or cool the rooms you’re using.

What Size Do I Need?
It’s important to get an air conditioner that’s the right size for you. If you get one that’s too big, you’ll waste energy running it; too small and it’ll use more energy to heat or cool a room. Think about your home. Do you want all the rooms heated and cooled (for example, some people like cool bedrooms for sleeping)? Or just one main room?

Rebates
The South Australian Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme can lower the cost of your air conditioner. The scheme sets energy productivity targets to be met by electricity and gas retailers.  The retailers then offer incentives to households and businesses to improve energy efficiency in their premises.

The energy efficiency improvements are carried out by activity providers, who are technicians who can advise you on what needs to be done and the best solution for you. The easiest way to access the incentives provided by the scheme is through your energy retailer. Look up their number on your bill and get in contact. You can find out more about the scheme on the Essential Services Commission website.

What to Do

• Think about the heating and cooling needs of your house to work out which systems will be suitable for you.
• Contact your energy retailer and ask them about the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme and how it can help you install or upgrade your air conditioning.

Need to Know

• Provides a renewable energy source and low running costs
• Requires sufficient space and regular wind.

Wind turbines use the wind to generate power. The wind turns the propeller-like blades of a turbine around a rotor, which spins a generator, creating electricity. Wind turbines are available in a range of sizes and can be located on land or offshore. These can also work for individual households, if you have enough space.

Wind turbines need an average wind speed of 18km/hr. They are best placed in a wide, open location away from large obstacles that are likely to cause turbulence and impact the energy generated. They can also be considered in urban locations where the wind is sufficient: on top of the roofs of industrial or commercial buildings, or near coastlines.

A wind turbine system requires a trench cable, and controller which ensures it is operating within safe limits. The power generated will be used in the home or transferred to the main electrical grid. Batteries can store excess power for later use.

Wind turbines with an output of less than 10 kW are eligible for incentives under the Federal Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. They are generally a better solution for off-grid properties and can work as a complement to other forms renewable energy, such as solar.

Need to Know

• Readily available technology with available incentives
• Quick reduction in household emissions and energy bills
• Supports related technologies, including storage batteries and electric vehicles

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems use energy from the sun to create electricity. This technology is very well suited for Australian households and businesses, which receive sunlight most of the year. Solar panels will help you save on your energy bills and reduce your household emissions. Already, more than 55 per cent of households in Alexandrina have solar – why not join them?

Types of Systems
Solar systems can connect to the main electricity grid and with a battery to store solar power. Solar systems that are connected to the main grid send back any excess solar electricity generated. This will generate an extra income in return, called a feed-in tariff.

To connect to the grid you will need approval from SA Power Networks. Systems larger than 5kW can require further approval. A battery system stores the solar energy generated for use at night or on days with limited sunlight. Battery technology systems can be used in combination with a grid-connected system.

Equipment

Solar Panels
Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight to electricity. The number of panels you’ll need will depend upon how much electricity you use and your budget. You’ll need to talk with a solar installer about what’s right for you. You can also try the SunSPOT solar calculator.

Switching to solar is a long-term investment in terms of it paying itself off. Solar panel warranties have two components: the materials and the performance. These generally have different warranty periods. The material warranty covers the quality of the materials against defects. It usually goes for 10 years but can be up to 25 or more.

The performance warranty covers the power output of the panels.  It is a depreciating cover as the product ages and becomes less efficient over its life. For example, panels will be covered to produce 90% of rated output after 10 years. Performance warranty can cover up to 25 years or more.

Generally, solar panels have a lifetime of between 25 and 30 years. They may produce power for longer at a reduced efficiency rate. As technology advances, newer models may have longer lifespans. Always read the fine print of warranties to ensure you understand what your panels are covered for and what excesses.

Inverter
An inverter is an essential component of your solar system. It converts the direct current generated by the solar panels into alternating current for your household devices and electricity grid. A solar system with batteries requires a hybrid inverter that can supply solar power both from the battery and the grid. Inverters' lifespan will vary but they are generally covered by a warranty up to between five and 10 years.

There are a range of factors that can impact their lifespan. These include the main grid voltage and power quality, and environmental factors (ambient temperature, dust, heat & ventilation, and pests).

Batteries
Solar panels only generate electricity during the sunlight hours. This means you will either need to draw power from batteries or the grid at night or on overcast days. Batteries allow you to store the surplus power from your solar panels instead of feeding it back into the grid. Batteries' storage capacity has increased in the past years, making them more convenient for households and businesses. Battery installations have to follow safety standards.

As with solar panels, you need to think about your current energy needs and how much you plan to store. You should also get a system that allows you to expand in the future, if those energy needs grow. Batteries will typically have a warranty cover of 10 - 20 years. As the battery degrades over its life, its capacity to store power reduces. Once a battery can no longer hold 60% of its original capacity, it is generally perceived to be at the end of its life.

The length of the warranty will provide a cover until it fails to meet particular conditions. These conditions may include warranty expiry, maximum cycle allocation for the battery is exceeded, or the energy throughput capacity is reached.  Ensure you check the framework of your warranty to understand its limitations. These can change depending on the brand and model.

Next Steps:

• Find an accredited local solar installer from the Clean Energy Council.

Need to Know

• Cheaper to run than gas or electricity to heat your swimming pool
• Low maintenance
• Can also be more effective with pool covers

Solar pool heating is a cost-effective alternative to gas or heat pump pool heaters. Solar pool heaters capture energy from the sun through a solar collector (usually installed on a north-facing roof of a building close to the pool). The pool water is pumped through tubes sitting on top of the solar collector and returned to the pool at a warmer temperature. You can also cool the pool by circulating the water at night to reduce the temperature.

Solar heating is a cost-effective way to heat your pool. The average cost of a system, including installation, is between $3,000 and $6,000, which can be recouped in energy savings. Systems can also last more than 10 years without needing repair or replacement, making them a low-maintenance option.

Solar heating systems can warm pool water in warm climates, but their effectiveness may be limited in cooler areas with frequent cloudy or rainy conditions, and may be slow to achieve consistent temperatures. Factors like the size of your pool, your desired pool temperature and the length of the swimming season will impact the size of your solar hot water system. Ideally, your solar collector area should cover at least 80 to 100 percent of the size of your pool in metres squared.

Solar Pool Covers
You can supplement your solar pool heating system with a solar pool cover. Solar pool covers enable you to save more of the sun’s warmth – on some days, your pool can warm up to 8˚C. On top of warming up the pool water, solar pool also cut down on water lost to evaporation. They typically cost between $1,500 and $3,000.

All solar pool water heating systems should be installed by a licensed professional, and it is essential to consult with them first to make sure you are choosing the most efficient heating system for your pool.