Do Ya Bit - Energy Advice
Do Ya Bit's energy advice can help you with a range of energy topics. Whether you are building, renovating, thinking about solar water, wanting insulation or heating advice or have just got a big power bill, contact us on 0800 326 628 or email doyabit@ecomatters.org.nz.
Insulation
Adding more insulation is the first thing you should do to reduce energy use and improve living conditions in your home.
Insulation is crucial for keeping you homes heat in over winter and stopping over heating in summer. You can lose up to 40% of heat through the ceiling, 15% through the floor and 25% through the walls.
You can get 33%-60% (in some areas 100%) towards the cost of ceiling and under-floor insulation from the government as part of the Warm Up New Zealand scheme. Visit EECA Installers to find an installer near you. Homes covered under the scheme include owner occupied and rental properties.
If your home was built before 1978 it is unlikely to have wall insulation. It is important to have wall insulation as you can lose around 20% of your homes heat through walls. It is a big job but well worth it.
Windows
Double glazing is a really good idea to retain warmth in your home as single glazing does very little to stop heat escaping.
Double glazing is a really effective way to reduce heat loss and is now mandatory as part of the building code for new homes across the country. It’s really effective because it creates a layer of air (or argon gas) which acts as an insulator. Quality double glazing with low emissivity (Low-E) glass and injected argon gas can stop almost three quarters of the heat lost through normal single glazed windows. If can combine double glazing with good thermal lined curtains that have a tight seal you will notice a huge difference.
If double glazed windows and thermal lined curtains are outside your budget, draft-proofing your doors and windows with draft strips which are available at most hardware stores are a cheap and easy was to keep more of the heat in and the cold out.
Heating
Using efficient clean heating appliances is cost effective and good for the planet.
Space heating makes up a large percentage of the average kiwi homes energy use. Efficient heating options include pellet burners, efficient wood burners, and heat pumps. You can now get $500-$1200 for clean heating options from the Heat Smart scheme. Visit the EECAwebsite to find out about this scheme.
Hot water
Hot water is a large energy user so getting it right here can save a lot power and money.
Hot water heating uses around a third of our homes energy and there are lots ways to improve efficiency and save power. The most cost effective action you can take is to install a low flow shower head that uses 9 or less litres per minute. If you have a slide rail shower you can install a flow restrictor in the hose to reduce the water flow, this is a very cheap solution.
If your cylinder temperature is above 55Co it is recommended to lower it to this level. Also, put a cylinder wrap on it and insulate the pipes (all available at you nearest hardware store).
The biggest impact you can make with hot water use is by installing a solar or heat pump hot water system. You are eligible for a $1000 grant, visit the EECA website to find out more.
Lighting
Efficient lighting can make a big difference so if you have old style incandescent light bulbs consider changing them.
There are a few options for efficient lighting solutions. The most common form of efficient lighting are Compact Fluoresent Lights (CFL) which are readily available and only use 5% of the energy standard lights do. There are now CFLs which can be fitted into halogen light fittings.
Another option is LED (light emitting diodes) which are even more efficient than CFLs.
Appliances
Choosing energy efficient appliances is important to reduce the amount of energy they will use over their life time. Efficient appliances can cost more up front but save you on power bills in the long run. Visit the EECA website to find out more about energy ratings for appliances.
Also, stand-by loses of appliances left on at the wall can add up to 10% of your power bill, so when your not using them turn them off!
Produce your own energy
Producing your own energy through micro renewables such as wind, hydro and solar has become a cost effective way to make a lower emissions. A number of New Zealander’s have already set up grid tied systems where they buy from the grid when they are short of their own power and sell back when they have a surplus.
Get in touch to find out more through Do Ya Bit.