Saving Energy in the Home - Where to Start.

The following information is for people who want to find out where energy is being used & what the best solutions are to save energy around the home.

1. - Where is energy used in a South Australian Home?

There are several websites that are run by the various State & Federal Governments that have studied energy use in the home.

http://www.energy.sa.gov.au/energy_action/household/saving_energy

Now you know where energy is being used in a home it's time to work out how much energy you are using.

2. Home energy audit - Self Audit

The South Australian Government now offer energy audit kits that are available to be borrowed from most councils, auditing your energy consumption is really easy.

Download this work sheet & you can do an audit right now at home - work sheet (right click save target as to download)

3. Saving energy - what to do & costs associated

From the audit you will see that it's simple things & slight behaviour change that can result in amazing reductions in enegy consumption.

• Wash your clothing in cold instead of hot - this has to be the easiest behavioural change that you can make.
• Reduce your showering time - as it is hot water consumption that can make the single largest impact.
• Take advantage of rebates & invest in energy saving products - The first thing to buy would be a solar hot water system, as you can reduce up to 80% of your hot water energy consumption in an adelaide household, that is the single biggest impact you can make.

4. What does a solar hot water system cost?

A good solar hot water system in South Australia will generally cost between $5,500 & $6,500 fully installed into a home.

You will receive several rebates some of which can be claimed by the system installer which means that you don't have to pay the full price & wait for the rebates.

Incentives that are available;

1. Renewable energy certificates - orer.gov.au ($1,200 - $1,800)

2. Federal Gov rebate - environment.gov.au - $1000

3. SA Government rebate - energy.sa.gov.au - $500

Essentially a solar hot water system in SA can cost a family of 4 as little as $2700 (which is not much more than replacing an electric)

Comparison between an electric hot water system & solar with regards to energy consumption.

Electric - A family of 4 will use 1kw of energy per 15L of hot water used @ an off peak rate of 7.6c per kw (approx $400 per annum)

Solar - A family of 4 will use 1kw of energy per 75L of hot water used @ an off peak rate of 7.6c per kw (approx $80 per annum)

If energy prices don't increase ever again, it will take 8 years for the product to pay for itself

Over the same period if energy prices don't increase in Adelaide an electric hot water system will cost

Replacement cost = $1600

Total energy cost @ $400 x 8yrs = $3200

Total = $4800

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