In the first part of the report 8 technologies available to the home in increasing sustainability and energy efficiency will be discussed. In the second part, the subject property 165 Centre Dandelion RD Dingles, 3172 is analyses for its energy efficient features. In the third part, three of the technologies discussed in the first part of the report, will be analyses for their cost saving and environmental benefits.
Executive Summary – The following report has been commissioned in an effort to expose, investigate and analyses the economic and environmental benefits that energy efficient and sustainable technology provides. The report draws attention to the following technologies, Rainwater tanks Sky lighting Solar heating Dual flush toilets Double glazed windows LED Lighting Natural Shading Energy efficient appliances Each technology was analyses and the advantages and disadvantages of installation of each was discussed.
The report concluded that significant cost savings can be realized however the long payback periods and upfront cost are a actor that must be considered and may deter some consumers. Also included in the report was the analysis of 165 Centre Dandelion RD Dingles Village, 3172. The property was analyses and it was found that Skylights, Solar pool heating and dual flush toilets were the three main energy efficient technologies that the home had installed currently. In the third part of the report, in finer detail significant cost saving benefits associated with the installation of LED Lighting, Rainwater tanks and energy efficient appliances.
A rainwater tank, consisting of a cylindrical barrel generally made of steel, incorrect, fiberglass or plastic. The purpose a rainwater tank serves in a domestic format is essentially to capture fallen rainwater for the purpose of recycling. Rain water tank uses in a domestic setting include but are not limited to, Toilet flushing Clothes washing Replenishing pools Car washing Supplying the hot water system Ventilation Protecting homes from bushfire (Health. Gob. AU, 2011)
According to South East Water, the independent supplier of water to the southeast region of Melbourne, water, per toiletry on average commands a price of $3. 0 per toiletry (South East Water, 2015). The price will subsequently increase once a certain quota of water is used. The installation of a rainwater tank can aid in minimizing the amount of water that is used by the water supplier to the bare essentials (Running drinking water, showering). The remainder of necessary uses of water in the household can all be sourced from the rainwater tank. Having discussed the cost saving advantages of the installation of a rainwater tank, the price of purchase and installation are two factors that must be considered.
Rainwater tanks can range from around $700 to $2000, starting room a small, freestanding model without pump or extras, to large, custom-built models. Costs may vary depending on size, shape and the materials used in construction (Choice. Com. AU, 2014). Solar Heating – Solar panels are boards, which absorb power sourced from the sun. The light from the sun is converted into electricity. The power can be used to power the home. Solar powered homes can realize real cost saving benefits. The main incentive when focusing on cost saving is the reduction in electricity bills each month.
The installation of solar panels in turn mean the household electricity consumption creases and hence electricity bills decrease as well. An average 2-kilowatt system produces around 2,847 kHz per annum (Clean Energy Council, 2014). This is approximately 40% of the average household consumption, which translates into a decreased reliance on retailer provided electricity. Solar panels are reliant on the sun and hence only are producing electricity when the sun is shining. This could be an issue in areas, which experience little sun, and as a result an increased reliance in retailer-derived electricity is needed.
As a result the payback time is extended. Solar panels also require a significant initial investment, Figure 1 – Choice. Com. AU, 2015 As evident in the above diagram the initial time between investment and cost saving may take up to 10 years depending on state/territory where installation occurs. Double Glazed Windows – Double glazed windows essentially are two panels of glass with a vacuum of air between them. Double-glazing windows means that heat cannot enter through the glaze nor can it be lost, as it cannot escape out of the window.
Normal windows generally tend to allow easy access of heat into and out of the home, which can adversely affect the temperature of the home. Double glazing windows carries the benefit of reducing the overall energy bills in the home as it has the effect of lowering the need to use the air conditioning in the summer time or the ducted heating system in the winter time. These artificial heating and cooling systems carry a significant cost compared to naturally preventing heat loss and gain through natural methods such as double-glazing.
According to Helpless. Com. U, the cost of double-glazing windows generally can cost upwards of 25% of the cost of normal single panel windows. This added cost might deter some homeowners looking to install the panels. The approximate payback time can take up to 5 years to recoup the original start up funds needed to install the windows. LED Lighting is a variation of light, which can be used in the household. LED stands for ‘Light Emitting Diode’, a semiconductor device that converts electricity into light. Led lights are arguably the most energy efficient source of lighting in the home.
As evident in the above table, the average lifespan of LED Lights equates to apron. 50,000 hours, this is in contrast to CUP lighting at 10,000 and incandescent at 1,200 hours. The translated benefits of such a long lifespan means that the cost of replacing light bulbs every 1 ,200 hours will equate to a cost saving of $266. 75 over 50,000 hours. Another added benefit of the installation of Lead’s is the price of using this lighting source. At . 0 cents per KHz, the household can expect a total cost of $50. 00 compared to 70 for CFML and $300. 00 when using incandescent.
Installing LED light bulbs can mean quite a high cost for households considering installing these. The average price per bulb at $35. 95 compared to $3. 95 for CFML and $1. 25 for incandescent. When considering installing these around the entire home and using 30 bulbs per home as a guide the price would equate $1100 apron, a price that may deter the homeowner. The uses of shading essentially means the construction of artificial buildings, which prevent heat loss or gain these, include verandas, pergolas, or eaves.
Shading can also be used through natural sources such as the erection of trees which during the summer time provide shading through the leaves on branches however during winter allow sun to pass through due to abscission. Effective shading can block up to 90% of heat (Hormone, 2013). An unprotected home is usually the reason for heat gain during the summer time. This lack of protection means the home will rely more heavily on air-conditioning which will add a significant cost to the family energy bill.
Unfortunately if the tree is not already erected and fully grown, the time taken to grow the tree will prevent the ability for any shading to be experienced until the tree has fully grown. Skylights – Skylights can be used in the household as a natural light source. They are placed on the top of the home roof in order to allow light to pass throughout the daytime.
Skylights are placed strategically in line with the latitudinal angle of the sun so that maximal light can be passed into the room where it is placed. Skylights have the ability to reduce or even make the use of normal lighting not accessory. This in turn means the family can save a considerable amount in artificial lighting costs. Skylights are generally considerably difficult to clean due to the height that they are placed as well as the angle, which they have been erected. Costs may have to be incurred by hiring a professional window cleaner to clean them with the appropriate equipment.
A dual flush toilet essentially is a toilet, which has two choices for the user, one which is a full flush which uses the maximum amount of water, and the half flush which uses half the amount of the full option. Switching from a single flush to a 4-star Dual flush toilet up to 35,000 litter of water every year (Southeastward, 2015). Dual flush toilets provide the benefit of the ability to reduce the amount of water being used and over time reduce the amount of water being used in the household significantly.
Installing a dual flush toilet may also grant you a rebate depending on your state, currently South East Water in Melbourne is offering a $100. 00 on the spot rebate for converting your toilet to a dual flush. Dual flush toilets do command a higher price compared to normal up to 25% the price of a single flush toilet. There are also costs associated with the removal of the old toilet and the installation of the new toilet (tile removal, plumbing costs, installation costs… ). According to Hormone. Gob. AU, appliances and equipment including refrigeration and cooking makes up 33% of total energy usage in the home.
Considering this is around 1/3 of entire household energy usage, the ability to streamline and reduce this usage can provide significant cost saving benefits to the user. Common appliances using the highest amount of energy – Fridge/Freezer (18%) TV (19%) Microwave (2%) Pool and Spa (5%) cooking (15% (Hormone, 2013) The first question that must be asked by the household is, which are the appliances that I can live without? Before purchasing these items consider whether they are a necessity. This will eliminate unnecessary costs and as a result reduce the cost that they would command in electricity.
When purchasing appliances ensure the appliances come with an energy or water rating, the more stars on the label the greater the energy or water efficiency Products that carry a high energy or water rating are generally more expensive than the standard appliances on sale. These products are generally 25-50% more expensive. Analysis of 3 technologies – Rainwater tanks was chosen as one of the three technologies due to the fact that it can effectively replace a significant amount of reliance of charged mains water.
It also naturally helps reduce Australia’s reliance on one of our scarcest resources, water. Outdoor water use accounts for around 20% and toilet flushing around 14% of total use of water in the household (Warranty. Gob. AU, 2011). Considering that 34% of total water use is being used solely on toilet flushing and outdoor use, the household can realism significant cost saving benefits and not have to rely on the SE of water that is being billed by the toiletry.
