How to make your home more energy efficient and reduce your energy bills

January 5, 2023

This article has been created by Dr Mark Diesendorf

For renters and home-owners

Block draughts in Winter; ventilate in Summer
If it’s very hot during the day, close all windows and doors and draw curtains and blinds; when it’s cooler at night, open them and ventilate your home
In Summer use electric fans instead of aircon; note: fans cool people but not rooms
Use evaporative coolers instead of aircon to cool rooms; they are portable appliances, much cheaper than aircon and use less energy
If you need to use an air conditioner, set it on 22 degrees Celsius for Winter heating (and wear warm clothes) and 24 degrees for Summer cooling
In Winter, only heat occupied rooms
Use cold water and a suitable detergent for washing clothes
Dry clothes in sunshine and wind
Turn off unused appliances at the power-point
Clean the coils at back of the fridge and make sure they are well ventilated
Fit a water-saving shower head – you don’t need a plumber to do this
Fit LED or compact fluorescent lights
Cook with a microwave where appropriate
When buying appliances, choose those with several energy stars; they cost a bit more upfront, but will save you a lot of energy and money over their lifetimes

Fit insulating curtains and pelmets to windows
Insulate the ceiling with batts
Plant shrubs or fit outside awnings to shade windows on western side
Fit eaves or awnings above windows on north side to exclude Summer sun
Ventilate the attic with whirlybirds or solar powered exhaust fan; although the latter is more expensive, it’s much more effective
Wrap insulation around your hot water tank and pipes
Paint your roof white, or as close to white as permitted
If your roof receives a lot of sunlight, install solar electricity & solar hot water