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Household energy efficiency
This page provides information about free and low-cost initiatives to help
make your home more energy efficient and what to consider when building or
renovating.
Free energy savings
- adjust your hot water cylinder thermostat to between 55 and 60˚C
- switch off lights when you're not using them
- wash your clothes in cold water and run the machine with full loads
- reduce heat loss from windows by pulling your curtains at dusk
- if you have central heating controls, turn down the room thermostat or heat pump control and use timers on heat pumps and towel rails
- cool surroundings suit fridges and freezers
- have adequate clearance on the sides and back of your fridge/freezer, keep the heat-exchange coils at the back well free from
dust and regularly defrost
- dry clothes outside instead of in the dryer. UV light also helps kill bacteria and bleach your whites
- use flat-bottomed pans with lids on electric stoves and keep flames low with gas. Match pots to their closest element size.
Low-cost investments
- use Compact Fluorescent (energy saving) light bulbs
- check and replace any leaky seals on fridge and freezer doors
- draught-stop your home. Block unused fireplaces and seal gaps around window frames/exterior doors to prevent heat loss
- fit a cylinder wrap to older style hot water cylinders and pipe wrap (lagg) the first few metres of the hot water pipes
- use close fitting, thermal-lined curtains
- consider a plastic window kit as a cheaper alternative to double glazing
- reduce your shower flow reduce your shower flow (using a low-flow shower
head or flow restrictor) to between 6-9 litres per minute and save considerable amounts of water and energy without spoiling your showering
- install ceiling insulation or add to the existing layer.
Energy design considerations when building or renovating your home
- install solar hot water heating
- double glaze windows
- use energy efficient lighting, low-voltage spotlight circuits and
motion-detecting switches in garages, toilets and outside
- fully insulate walls, floors and ceilings
- incorporate passive solar design. For example, have a large area of
north-facing glazing to catch winter sunlight and eaves to limit summer heat
gain; use materials that absorb sunshine by day and slowly release it at
night
- install low-energy appliances (look for the Energy Star Rating)
- allow for adequate ventilation in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry to
minimize damp
- don't install an open fireplace
- consider a heat pump if you like warm air circulating.
Visit
www.sustainableliving.org.nz (see heating efficiency) to find out more about home insulation and
heating options.
Contact the Eco Design
Advisor for advice on sustainable building practices.
Published December 2008
