Energy Saver Ideas

Council’s Sustainability Program – reducing our environmental footprint

Average NSW household electricity bill

Where does power get used in the average NSW household?

Source: resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au

Why should we try to save on our power bills?

• We tend to spend more on power bills than we need to and this money could be put into other things!

• Our power consumption per capita is four times the average in the world...

• Our coal-based electricity system means we have the worst rate of greenhouse gas emissions per person in the world.

First we need to know: • how much electricity we are using

• how much different things cost to run

• then we can figure out if we can reduce the cost of

our power and reduce the amount of electricity we are using

So….how can we save on our power bills?

Read and understand your electricity account…..

The total cost is easy to see, but what does the rest of the info mean?

to find out how much electricity you are using

There are 2 types of bill charges

Service to Property

fixed, $ per day

Power use

c/kWh + GST

Can control Can’t control

Peak time period when energy (kWh) is charged higher

Off-peak or Controlled Load 1 time period when energy is charged lower

Shoulder time period when energy charge is middling

Energy charges

kWh unit of measurement for electricity usage charges

Usage times When you’re charged based on the time you use power from the grid

Peak – 7am - 9am 5pm - 8pm weekdays Shoulder- 9am - 5pm 8pm - 10pm weekdays 8pm - 10pm weekends and public hols

Offpeak – 10pm - 7am

What is a kilowatt hour (kWh)?

A kilowatt hour is the amount of electricity used by an electrical appliance, which has a wattage of 1000 Watts, in 1 hour (when it is turned on). Very few appliances are exactly 1000 Watts. Let’s go through a bill together…..

1. Your daily power use and cost details for this bill

2. Quarterly comparison of power use and carbon emissions (should be zero if you buy 100% GreenPower)

3. Timeframe for this bill and whether its an estimated bill or based on your meter being read

4. You may have more than one meter e.g. hot water on a separate meter can use off peak power at a cheaper rate

5. Number of days for this bill 6. Power used for this bill 7. Energy charge rates

Feed-in Tariffs for Solar

Now that the 60c feed-in tariff is no longer available: • Check you have a ‘net meter’ • Make the most of the solar power you make at home

first, before sending excess to the grid • Shop around to get the best feed-in tariff

How useful is your bill to help save energy?

Helpful? • The bill gives great information about

your average total consumption • It is easy to compare between seasons

Not so helpful? • The bill doesn’t explain when and where

you use power during the day/week • To find out which appliances are using

the most power, we need to know the wattage of appliances

How do I find out the wattage of appliances?

All appliances have a compliance plate on them, usually at the back or sometimes on the bottom of the appliance.

This contains information including • Serial number • Wattage • Voltage etc Only the wattage is important for our calculations

High wattage appliances used often add up

Don’t miss out on help

Talk to your local community welfare centre about: • Energy Accounts

Payment Assistance (EAPA) scheme

• Free financial counselling

Ask your power company for a discount

Customers can change providers… it is worth ringing up and asking “what is the best deal you can give me?”

There are group deals available through organisations

such as The Big Switch Often the exit fee is worth paying or is paid by the

company you are switching to Keep your eye out for deals/read the fine print

Find the best deal

Use retail comparison sites

I’ve got the price I pay for power as low as I can…and I can find out which appliances use the most power, now what?

…now we can start to change the way we use electricity.

Behavioral changes involve being more aware of energy use: turning off standby equipment, not using air con as much etc. Retro fitting technological advances allow the installation of more cost effective and efficient equipment.

What are energy saving behaviours?

• Closing doors & windows when heating & cooling • Using blinds, awnings for the correct effect • Dressing for the weather • Turning off lights • How appliances are used • Not wasting hot water

Low cost energy efficiency- the little things that can make a difference • Insulation • Sealing up the drafts • External window shading • Temp control heating / air con • LED lighting • Lessening standby loads • Small & efficient fridges • Efficient taps/toilets/water appliances

Keep summer sun out & winter sun in

1. High performance windows: airtight, double glazed, good quality frames to minimise heat flow 2. Eaves shade the summer sun from windows to minimise heat gain 3. Winter sun in living areas to maximise heat gain 4. Insulated ceilings and walls to regulate heat

Shading

• Especially to the west (afternoon sun), east (morning sun).

• Shade northern sun in summer, let in the sun during winter.

Shade the outside- Keep the heat out of the building

Effective window treatments

Get insulation installed

Seal the drafts around windows and doors

Saving hot water saves energy • Keeping water hot takes lots of energy…<40% of the

average household power bill • Use less hot water: choose a cold wash in your

washing machine • Take shorter showers • Fit a 'low-flow' showerhead • Fix leaking hot water taps

Hot water heaters – solar & heat pumps

• Refrigerant absorbs ambient air’s heat

• saves 2.4 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year.

• Stand alone, gas or electric boosted

• saves an average of 3 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year.

Hot water heating: comparative costs

Shut off standby power

Power used by equipment that while “turned off” still has a light on and/or can be turned on with a remote. If the equipment has a transformer (a black rectangular section on the power cord) it will often still use power, unless turned off at the switch. The average home wastes $250 per year in standby power use.

Use technology

When replacing appliances – choose the most efficient model

See the star rating website www.energyrating.gov.au

Efficient Fridges

• Appropriate size • Good seals • Keep ventilated • Go for high star rating • Only use an extra fridge when really needed • Keep doors closed as much as possible

Efficient heating/cooling

• Get the right size unit • Zone the heating or cooling • Best temperature settings: − 19°- 26°: no need for temp control • Raising 1° above 19° or below 26° = $$$$

Reduce cooling costs in summer

• Only cool the rooms you are using. Close the doors of any rooms you are not using.

• Shade external windows. • Take advantage of natural air flows. Open doors and

windows to encourage cross-ventilation. • Use fans instead of air conditioners. Fans are usually

20–30 times cheaper to run. • Don't overcool your home. In summer the optimum

temperature is 23-26°C.

Solar or natural lighting

Replace these! halogen downlights / incandescents

Check the bulbs

Install energy saving lighting

Skip these! CFLs – efficient but outdated

Use these! LEDs – use least energy, last

longer

Halogen Lamp: Price $1.00

Power: 50 watts Lifetime: 5,000 hours

Hours Use: 8 hours/weekday

Annual Cost: $26.00

LED Lamp: Price $20.00

Power: 7 watts Lifetime: 25,000 hours

Hours Use: 8 hours/weekday

Annual Cost: $3.64

But LEDs cost heaps!

What about grid connected solar PV?

Your consumption tariff may change:

check with your retailer

will your tariff change if you put on solar?

often moved to ‘Time of Use’ tariff

What feed-in tariff will you be offered for any solar power you don’t use yourself?

Check your tariff

Clean your solar panels and check any shading

What commitment will you make today?

Turn ideas to action Make it happen!