2. Homes are: Bathed in free energy from the sun Are brushed by
Many cooling breezes
And
Drenched by free rainwater
Yet
Rarely do houses make use of that available energy and water......
But...
All the energy and water required for housing can be gained from a regular housing site at modest cost
If...
the home and occupants are efficient with the use of the harvested resources.
called Zero Energy Homes

3. By making your house more efficient......
It will-
Cost less to run
Be more comfortable
Minimise energy needs 
Minimise water needs.
Also
Potentially cost nothing to run
Motivated people with knowledge stand to enjoy great benefits.  

4. Global perspective Planets needed to support us…..
We would need 4 planets if everyone consumed at levels Australians currently do.... 
3 more than we have, if we continue with 'business as usual'. 
credit:infografik.com

5. Is change is necessary? Humanity depends entirely on the natural world
The natural world now depends entirely on humanity.
A massively expanding population is consuming and polluting way beyond sustainable levels.

6. Energy awareness
Energy efficiency is cheaper than energy production. - it reduces the need for more power stations. 
Buildings consume 20% of energy produced in Australia. 
Large changes to energy costs and carbon pollution can be made if we understand-
the relationship of buildings and energy use
appliances and energy use
.....and energy an understanding of energy itself

7. How is household energy measured?
Understanding Energy.
KwH?     KwH/Day?     MJ?
A KwH, Kilowatt/hour is the standard electrical unit of 
energy measurement.
A Megajoule is the standard
unit of combustion fuels- 
ie gas, oil and wood. 
1 KWh = 3.6 MJ  
A traditional analogue meter
A new digital smartmeter

8. Examples of how fast energy is used
A kilowatt hour is the energy used by-
This size electric heater over 1 hour. (1000 watts for 1 hour) or
this gas heater for 10 minutes
-(Heater rated at 21 MJ (or 6 KW)
or 
this light bulb for 55 hours
(18 watts )

9. Metering and Billing
Prioritise energy saving strategies by looking at energy use patterns.  
Gas bills in MJ or megajoules
Electrical in KwH  

10. The main problems with houses?
Most of the 8.7 million existing residences were built without considering the local climate or site. 
Energy has to date been so cheap, that it has been possible to rely on switching on appliances to create comfortable interiors. 
not any more...
    Major issues include:
Poorly insulated
Windows facing wrong ways
Ineffective window coverings
Dark coloured roofs 
Poorly designed downlighting
Lack of eaves
Lack of trees
Unfavourable orientation
credit: Nearmap.com

11. What can householders do?
... to maintain or improve comfort levels while reducing the cost of living. 
The way the house and appliances are used has a large impact upon energy saving and the cost of living.
 Actions
Behavioural -ie opening & shutting windows & curtains.
Low- tech ie installation of pelmets, low flow showers
High tech installation of Solar hardware  
Cost
Free
Low cost
Relatively high cost
Effects
reduce bills, increase comfort
reduce bills, increase comfort 
large long term savings

12. Some options for saving energy and water.
Some ideas will apply  to almost all houses
Other ideas will apply to specific house types. 
Renovating or extending is the perfect time to make substantial improvements to energy and water conservation. 
Good design costs no more than poor design - -just the right people, with the right ideas.

13. Huge savings can be made by landscaping  and adopting simple principles.
keep the sun off your house walls in summer.
let the sun flood through your windows in winter
passive solar design
Ensure all northern windows have eaves
credit:yourhome.gov.au

14. Priorities for Winter 1 Conserve energy
Not much point buying energy when it is leaking from your house!
Stop the heat leaking from your house!
Curtains and pelmets
Block all holes -halogens,  -fans -door cracks
Insulation 
If doing renovations, ensure correct insulation goes in all walls! 
credit: ves energy store
radiation through windows
radiation through wall from fireplace

15. Priorities for Winter- 2
Window areas are responsible for a large amount of heat loss. 
The most effective window dressings by far are:
Thermal curtains and pelmets  or
Cellular Blinds- recessed into window frames
Both options need to be close fitting, eliminating 
air gaps at sides, tops 
and bottoms.
credit: energy.sa gov.au
credit: hunter douglass

16. Priorities for Winter 3
Bulk insulation - ie batts, cellulose fibre, etc. in walls, ceiling and floor. where possible. ( R3.6 - R4 )
Early model skylights are a major source of heat loss- install extra layer of glazing 
at ceiling level. 
Exhaust fans can leak large amounts of heat from a house. 
-Fit with a self closer, or replace with a self closing unit

17. Priorities for winter -4 Let the sun shine in!
Winter sun radiates 
500 watts / sq M.
-ie for every 2 square meters of window, the sunlight brings in the same heat as this heater, but for free. 
 "passive solar heating"

18. Summer priorities-1
Plant trees and shrubs to prevent morning and afternoon sun getting onto  or into your house to the east and west.
Suburbs and towns, & regions have been shown to be 2-4 degrees cooler  in summer, if well vegetated
keep northern roof space in the sun in case you want to install solar hot water, or solar electric.  

19. Summer priorities-2 Summer sun radiates 1000 watts sq / m
Install reflective foil under the iron, tiles or rafters.
install eaves over northern windows
insulate and line the verandah
shade east and west windows from the exterior

20. Summer priorities- Keeping cool
Average modern reverse cycle A/C  (2.6 Kw) -about 50 cents-$1.04/hour
Ceiling fans, or pedestal fans- about 1 cent/ hour
Breezes- free
credit: yourhome
-Requires thoughtful planning but 
great rewards

21. Summer- Different approaches

22. Issues with down-lights
There is a continuous heat loss during winter through the ceiling around the light fitting, as insulation must be kept clear. 
heat gain in summer 

23. Appliances and energy ratings
Star rating is relative efficiency.
The number gives the actual energy consumed per year (average use)
It is easy to calculate how much an appliance will cost to run.
Multiply Kwh/ year (on sticker) x current unit cost of electricity.
(Efficiency standards are improved every few years, last done April 2010. 

24. Priorities for water
Quality low-flow shower-head-  litres / min.
4 star dual flush toilets 
connect toilets to rainwater 
consider a composting toilet (no water, no smells, good compost)
rebates are available for most water saving and rainwater tanks. 
Get the largest tank feasible
tank specialist or 'enviro plumber'

25. HOME POWER SAVINGS PROGRAM
Free help for pensioners and families on a low income to save up to 20% off their power use

26. Who is eligible? Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
Contribute to the energy bills for the property
Be an energy utility hardship customer OR have one of the following:
Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Repatriation Health Card (White or Gold)
This program is open to both renters and owner occupiers
If you have one of the concession cards listed here then you are eligible for the program.
It doesn’t matter if you own your own home or rent from a private landlord or a social housing group – you can still join.
Renters need permission from their landlord to get all of the items in the Power Savings Kit installed (i.e. the showerhead, tap aerators and draught proofing) but the program will follow this permission up with your landlord. If for some reason they don't grant permission, you will still get the other items in the kit, the assessment and the action plan.

27. Get cash back to green your home
The NSW Government’s $170 million Home Saver Rebates include:
$300 for solar, heat pump and gas hot water systems replacing electric systems
$35 for removal of old working second fridge (Central Coast only)
Up to $1,500 for rainwater tanks that are connected to a washing machine and toilet
$200 for a 4 star dual flush toilet suite to replace   a single flush toilet
$150 for installing a hot water circulator for instantaneous gas hot water.
$1000 Federal Government rebate for solar hot water 
HEAVY DISCOUNTS for shower head, toilet and plumbing in Hunter Water supply region and includes Port Stephens, Dungog, Cessnock, Maitland, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and part of the Singleton shire

28. Future developments relating to household energy.
Energy ratings for houses and units.
This will-
Provide potential purchasers or tenants a clear indication of likely  operational costs.
Provide incentive to improve the thermal performance of houses
Carbon tax - 
Encourage energy efficiency
Provide an incentive for developers, home-owners and landlords to make houses more efficient.
Put pressure on appliance manufacturers to make them more efficient
target the root problem
(Avoid tax by minimising energy use)

29. Solar energy options. Thank you.
evacuated tube - 'split system'
flat panel thermo-syphon
Heat pump
Thank you.
evacuated tube- thermo-syphon
solar electric (PV)
Ensure solar companies are CEC certified (CleanEnergyCouncil.org.au)

30. Currently the only abundant source of renewable,
sustainable energy
thank you