With the right energy-efficient initiatives and green solutions, Australian households can save thousands of dollars and reduce carbon emissions. The trend has been quite commonly followed lately. That is why Australia’s energy consumption dropped by 3.6% in 2020-2021 to 5790 PJ. While the last two decades witnessed an average growth of 0.2% per year, the 214 PJ (2020-2021) drop in energy consumption was quite noteworthy.
Speaking of energy-efficient solutions, several initiatives and products can contribute to Australia’s energy saving. This includes LED lighting, HVAC systems, heat pumps, solar power, and more. These solutions have been consistently contributing to reduced greenhouse emissions, energy costs, pollution, and other environmental vulnerabilities.
Smart Choice for Lightings
Light bulbs use about 2 to 100 Watts of electricity (as per the type and size). This means if you use a 60 W incandescent light bulb for 1 hour each day, you may spend 0.42 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per week and 1.83 kWh per month. As for yearly consumption, the usage can go as high as 21.9 kWh per year.
That is why, instead of using traditional bulbs and incandescent lights, Australian citizens must go for energy-efficient solutions for home, like LED lighting. LED bulbs use 90% less energy than traditional bulbs. It lasts 25% longer than incandescent bulbs that are commonly used in Australia.
The reason behind such strong energy efficiency of LEDs is the presence of diode light. They’re cooler and don’t waste energy as heat, which is otherwise uncommon in traditional lighting.
HVACs for Energy Efficient Homes Australia
HVACs can act as a complete home solution that heats, cools, and maintains the indoor air quality for energy efficient homes Australia. These solutions are simpler and better than individual appliances like AC, heaters, and air purifiers. They save money for consumers and offer optimal comfort in homes.
In fact, nowadays, you can get HVACs with an efficiency rating of up to 99%. This means these systems use every bit of energy for heating/cooling purposes at home. Many times, HVACs run on renewable energy sources like solar panels.
It further contributes to better energy conversation as the coolant in the system is non-chlorine-based. By investing in high-quality and energy-star-rated HVAC systems, Australian households can save up to 20% on both heating and cooling bills.
Use of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are energy-efficient solutions for homes that can help save money on overall energy bills. It is known for dehumidifying the rooms better than the AC units for less energy use.
Heat pumps can cut down the energy costs by up to 90%. It works efficiently by using electricity for moving heat rather than generating it directly. Due to the incredible working mechanism of heat pumps, it can save up to 24% on water heating costs. They are also three times more efficient than the electric water heaters that are used in Australian households.
To elaborate more on this, by switching to a heat pump water system, one can save as much as $330 a year on the electric bill (as per an American household of four family members). With such values, the ultimate saving throughout the lifespan of a typical heat pump water heater can stand out at $3,400.
Low-flow Shower Heads
According to a data, low-flow shower head installation can decrease water consumption by more than 40%. It can eventually save up on monthly water bills and cut down on the overall cost in general. Gradually, Australians can save as much as $50 yearly on water heating expenses. With reduced energy usage, they can stay assured of lower CO2 emissions and hence, a healthier environment.
Door and Exhaust Seals
Door seals and exhaust fan seals can fulfill the gap and prevent the unwanted flow of air outside the rooms. It can regulate accurate temperatures, reduce running costs, and deliver energy-efficient outcomes.
Sealings can help to cut down about 5% on the annual energy bill. Generally, houses in Australia are 3-5 times leakier than they need to be for ventilation. In fact, in ceilings, an overall gap of 5% of insulation can lower the R-value by 40% depending on the inside/outside temperature differences. That is why fixing these loopholes can work as an effective measure for an energy-efficient solution.
In-Home Display Energy Monitor
An in-home display energy monitor can ensure 5-15% less energy use a year. It can monitor electricity usage in real time and provide a detailed analysis of the same. By consistently tracking and monitoring energy usage data, Australian citizens can identify the areas where they’re spending the most electricity and become aware of it for future use.
Action speaks more than words. To save money on their household bills, Australian citizens should take these initiatives seriously. Once they implement these actions in their day-to-day life, there is no looking back.
