Property Investor Tips
Tips for more efficient water and energy use
Posted on Saturday, March 13 2010 at 4:51 PM
Simple measures around the home can help to prevent climate change, according to Archicentre Queensland spokesman Angus Kell.
Managing and maintaining small fittings around the home such as dripping taps, along with upgrading tap fixtures with water efficient alternatives, and turning off lights and electrical equipment when not in use can make a difference, he said.
Kell said in the recent two decades as the average home size expanded it ditched the verandah and water tank and became more energy hungry.
With energy prices rapidly increasing by 70 to 100 per cent in the next three to five years, said Kell, the challenge exists to improve the energy and water performance in existing homes.
He stressed the importance of sustainably designing the home by someone qualified and experienced to maximise the home's performance potential.
"Many people are concerned enough about the environment to spend money on energy or water-saving home improvements, but often are looking for a starting point," said Kell.
Kell's tips for improving the home's energy and water performance are:
- Conduct a home audit to find out where and how energy is being wasted in the home. Visit www.yourhome.gov.au.
- If there are children in the home it's a good idea to involve them in developing a list for more efficient energy and water use, as they'll also play an important part in the implementation.
- Implement as many of the changes you can by: choosing energy efficient appliances when purchasing or fixing leaky taps, showers and toilet cisterns, turning lights off when you leave the room, don't leave computers or appliances on standby, reset the thermostats on your heating and cooling (18 degrees in winter and 24 degrees in summer), install low-energy light globes, fit weather-seals to your windows and doors, install external blinds, put in a ceiling fan, change to low-flow shower heads, and plant a drought-tolerant garden.
- If you run a home office make sure you set your office up to utilise natural light by having your desk near a window or put in a skylight and turn your equipment off when not in use.
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