save money on your power bill
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Save Money on Your Power Bills
Gavin Webber
It Doesn’t Cost The Earth To Be Green
Your Long-term Goal To reduce your energy bills
permanently, and pocket the savings!
To feel like you are in control again!
Average Australian Home Energy Use
Standby; 3% Cooking; 4%Lighting; 7%
Refrigeration; 7%
Other Ap-pliances;
16%
Water Heating; 25%
Heating and Cooling; 38%
Source: Your Home Technical Manual (http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs61.html)
First Steps - Electricity Review your current energy consumption
via your last two electricity bills. What is the average daily use?
Learn to read your power meter. Understanding how much energy you're using can help you reduce your household electricity bills.
Consistency
Pick the same time each day or week to read your meter.
Calculate your consumption by subtracting your first reading from your current reading
Meter Reading Example Todays reading 04549.2 kWh minus
Yesterdays reading 04508.9 kWh Equals 40.3 kWh consumed in one day!
40.3 kWh @ 25c per kWh = $10.07 per day or an average over the 90 day billing period
of $906!
Take a Baseline Find your energy usage baseline by
monitoring for each day for a week. Don't make any changes during the first
week you are monitoring. Don't change your behaviour at all.
Record the average for the week
24 Weeks of ElectricityElectric ity C onsumption D aily Average (K Wh)
-5.000
0.000
5.000
10.000
15.000
20.000
25.000
30.000
35.000
W e e k
K W h
Grid K W h
4 per. M ov. A vg. (G rid K W h)
Next Steps of Action Have a family meeting! Set some energy targets for the next few
months e.g. 10% reduction in the first week, 20% by week two etc.
Make it a competition, give rewards to little ones for remembering to do as instructed
Take the time to explain to everyone why we are practicing energy efficiency.
Energy Saving Tips
Think about energy usage by room Look for waste Don't spend any money on products until
you assess your behaviours. Try simple efficiency first of all.
Remember, it is cheaper to save electricity than to make it.
Comfort Zone
• In Summer:– Aim for a temperature between
24˚C – 27˚C– Every extra degree adds 10% to cost – do
not over-cool.
• In Winter:– Aim for a temperature between
18˚C – 21˚C– Every extra degree adds 10% to cost – turn
down the thermostat!
Most people are comfortable at temperatures between 18˚C – 27˚C
Home heatingHeat effectively by:• Using the correct size heater
• Creating zones
• Using thermostats and timers
• Using ceiling fans to circulate hot air
• Wearing more clothes to reduce heating needs
To help warm up your home:• Design for winter solar gain
• Insulate
• Protect your windows • Eliminate draughts
Cool effectively by:• Closing windows and doors during
the day to shut out the heat
• Controlled cross ventilation at night
Help your home stay cool:• Design for passive cooling
• Insulate
• Protect your windows
• Eliminate air leaks
Keeping your home cool…
Passive Heating and Cooling
• Put simply, passive heating and cooling is letting the winter sun in and keeping the summer sun out
• Passive heating = providing access for low-angle winter sun into living areas to heat them for free.
• Passive cooling = preventing high angle summer sun entering by use of shading devices and allowing for cool breezes to flow through the home (cross ventilation).
Heating Actions To minimise your heat losses, make sure your
home is properly insulated, including your ceiling, external walls and even floors
Keep doors to unused rooms closed to minimise the area you need to heat
Set the temperature on your heater between 18-20°C – every degree you increase the temperature will increase consumption by 10%
Don't heat an empty house. Use a reversible ceiling fan to push warm air
downwards and keep rooms warmer
Insulation
• All the materials used in the construction of your home absorb and transfer heat. Note: Heat is always transferred from the warmer side to the cooler side.
• Insulation is an essential component in keeping your home warm or cool and can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 50%
• The “R” value of insulation is the material’s ability to resist the heat flow. The higher the R value the greater the resistance.
Insulation Types• Bulk insulation: resists the transfer of heat,
relying on pockets of trapped air within its structure.
– Examples: glass fibre, wool, cellulose fibre, polyester, polystyrene.
• Reflective insulation: resists radiant heat flow by high reflectivity and inability to re-radiate heat. It relies on an air layer of at least 25mm next to the shiny surface.
– Examples: Aluminium foil laminated onto paper or plastic available as sheets, concertina-type batts and multi-cell batts. Known as reflective foil laminates or 'RFL'.
• Composite insulation: combines features of both types.
– Examples: foil backed blankets, foil backed batts and foil faced boards.
Insulation Example
Poor Insulation Good Insulation
Source: http://www.zeropowerhouse.com/photo_page.htm
Windows solutions• Up to 30% of heat is lost through
windows.
• Unprotected windows can cost a household up to $200 extra in heating and cooling each year.
• Double glazing - initial cost is high but it provides insulation against heat loss and can reduce noise and fading.
• Low cost alternative – Comfort Windows (transparent film)
• Window coverings - close-fit, heavy curtains, installed with box pelmet
Windows solutionsHow Pelmets stop the “chimney effect” on window curtains
Source: SA Government
Windows solutionsHow Double Glazing Works
Source:
Cooling Actions Keep the area you are cooling to a minimum Use fans to keep yourself cool Turn off your cooling system while you're out Choose an air conditioner with programmable
timing Clean your air conditioner or cooler regularly
to keep it working efficiently Place your cooling system or air conditioner on
the shadiest side of the house
Sealing out draughts
Sealing out draughts
Various Sources including http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca, Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources of Canada
LEDs (All Shapes and Sizes)
High purchase cost, cheap to run30,000-100,000 hours of life!!
The future of Lighting(used in more and more places)
Fluorescent (Compact and Tubular)
Medium purchase cost, cheap to runApprox. 8,000-15,000 hours of life
Best for long use(eg. living areas)
Halogen lamps
Medium purchase cost,Expensive to runApprox. 2,000 hours of life
Best for task lighting(eg. drawing/painting)
Incandescent globes
Cheap to buy, expensive to run(not recommended)Approx. 1,000 hours of life
Best for short use(eg. laundry / toilet)
Lighting Solutions
Lighting Actions Turn off lights in unused areas Change your light globes to energy
saving lights (Compact Fluorescent Lights or LED)
Choose lights with low wattage – the lower the wattage the less power it uses
When only a small amount of light is required, use task lighting such as lamps or spotlights
Lighting Actions 2
Avoid dark furnishings and interiors. They make rooms harder to light adequately.
Keep light fittings, shades and bulbs clean Use programmable timers and sensors to control
lighting in outside areas. Turn off garden lighting if not outside, unless you
have solar lighting. The neighbours don't give a hoot about your garden lights!
LIGHTINGCost comparison-8000 hrs
Source: Coherent Electronic Systems 2012
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
$180
$200
Incandescent CFL
Running Cost
Purchase Cost
Standby Energy
• Standby energy (or Phantom Load) is the energy consumed by an appliance when it is left connected to a power outlet but not performing its function.
• Recent research shows that standby energy has increased from 4% in 1999 to about 11% of the energy used in the average Australian home.
• Appliances with standby power loads usually display a tiny light or clock when not in use or may have soft-touch power buttons.
• Products with the Energy Star label will automatically switch into a power-saving 'sleep' mode after a certain amount of idle time — standby power losses are minimised
Standby CostsTelevision 10WStereo 10WVCR 8WPhone charger 5-
10WAnswering machine 4WCordless phone base 3WMicrowave 4WElectric tooth brushes 2WDustbuster 1WScanner 10WFax 8WPrinter 8WModem 6WComputer monitor 5Wand watch out for speakers!
Per household, appliances left on standby can easily consume about 87watts 24 hours per day.
This equates to 2kWh per day which means losing over $175 per year on wasted energy!
Where is Water Used
Showers; 27%
Lawns & Gardens; 25%Clothes Washing; 18%
Toilet; 16%
Other; 14%
Hot water Actions• Install hot water system close to kitchen /
laundry / bathroom
· Insulate all hot water pipes
· Reduce hot water storage temperature to 60°C (or 50°C for instantaneous)
· Fit a AAA rated showerhead.
· Repair hot water drips and leaks
· Use cold water instead
· Turn off water heater when not in use for periods of time
· Disconnect the heater element in dishwasher or stop the cycle and allow dishes to dry naturally
Hot Water Action Take short showers (keep it
to under 5 minutes instead of the average 8 minutes) instead of baths.
Fix leaks and drips in hot water taps straight away. Just one drop of water per second wastes 1,200 litres per month
Main types of water heaters
Gas
Electric
Solar
Heat Pump
WATER HEATING:
Reducing heat loss
Storage tank blanket
• Lag all inlet and outlet pipes, especially on outdoor storage tanks
• Wrap electric storage heaters with an insulating blanket >>>
Cooking Actions Use a microwave for cooking, they're more energy
efficient than conventional ovens Stir or turn food in the microwave often to ensure the
heat spreads evenly - speeding up the heating process Make sure the seals in your oven fit properly. The seals
should hold a piece of paper in place when the oven door is closed
Use small appliances for small tasks e.g. use the toaster not the oven for toasting.
Cooking Actions 2 Keep lids on pots when cooking Use the correct size pot for the element or
burner Avoid cooking food that is still frozen Avoid opening oven doors when cooking -
each time you do the internal temperature drops by 15°C
Use appropriate cooking temperatures Cook several dishes at once
Dishwasher Actions Instead of using the drying cycle, stop the
dishwasher, open the door and let dishes dry naturally
Only run the dishwasher when it's full Use the economy cycle for everyday washing Make the most of all functions on your dishwasher.
Small load or half load options, short wash cycles, rinse-only cycles and mid-cycle turn off are features designed for energy efficiency as well as convenience
Refrigeration Actions• An average Australian household
has a fridge that produces approx 1.1 tonnes of CO2 and costs about $220 per year to run.
Fridge efficiency:• Position: Cool, shaded, away from
heat sources such as windows and stoves.
• Ventilation: Ensure space around back and sides (8cm min).
• Temperature: Ideally 4°C. 5% more energy is used for each 1°C colder
• Operation: Empty and switch off if away for an extended period
Washing & Drying Clothes Dry lighter items together and heavier items
together Thinking of buying a new washing machine?
Consider this: front loading automatic washing machines use considerably less energy and water than top loading machines
Always ensure clothing is wrung well before placing in the dryer. Clothes should never be placed in the dryer while dripping with water.
Washing & Drying Clothes Actions
Use a clothesline instead of a dryer wherever possible
Only run the clothes washer or dryer when fully loaded
Use cold water to wash clothes Keep the lint filter in your dryer clean Spin clothes thoroughly before drying Don't over-dry clothes. Only use the minimum
amount of time needed to dry your clothes
Efficiency Labels & Star Ratings• Energy and Water Labels provide information
about the energy and water use of products• Allow comparison between different products• The new labels have a consistent format• Is NOT an endorsement or seal of approval
Products – Easy / low cost• Door Weather-stripping devices $16-$25• Windows and door seals (per frame) $5-$15• Tap Aerator $8-$15• AAA Rated Shower-rose $26-90• Selector Flush for Toilet $12-$20• 5-20W CFL $5 - $15
Products – Medium cost
• Insulating Exposed Hot Water Pipes $100• Fridge seals $50• Comfort Windows (heavy duty film) $170+• Pelmets $100+• External Awnings $150+• LED replacement $30-$70• Double glazing (DIY) Renew 84 $30/frame
Products – Long term
• Double Glazing (per frame) $200+• Insulation $600+
In a Nutshell• What are the key points?
– Behaviour vs Retrofit– Draught Proofing– Insulation– Passive Heating and Cooling
• Protect you windows• Control the ventilation• Allow in winter sun• Keep out summer sun
– Switch off items when not in useand watch out for standby loads
– Reduce (hot) water use• Shorter Showers• Cold clothes wash
– Buy energy efficient appliancesand lights
– Think of other ways to do the same job(eg clothes line vs dryer)
– Other ideas
How to proceed Make small changes at first and continue to
monitor to see the effect on consumption. Share the daily results at the evening meal,
check to see if you are going to meet your target.
Praise, reward, and have fun as you go along.
Reaching Targets
Don't get disheartened if you don't reach your goal in the first few weeks. It takes time to embed behaviours throughout the home.
The Reward Your reward will be much lower energy bills. Treat
your self at every milestone you reach with some of the proceeds from your energy bill savings!
Every kilowatt or MegaJoule you save equals 24 less black balloons released into the atmosphere.
Savings of 70% are achievable if you are determined enough.
My RewardQuarterly E lectricty C omparison
-100
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Q tr
Dol
lars
per
Bill
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