home energy self audit

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  • 7/31/2019 Home Energy Self Audit

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    Home Energy Self-Audit Checklist

    This guide provides you with a simple, step-by-step process that allows you to assess the way you use energy in your home.

    By completing the attached checklist you will be able to identify areas where you can realistically make changes to the way you useenergy and save!

    How to conduct your audit:

    1. Allow around one hour

    2. Work through the checklist from A to G, going from room to room

    3. Circle the description that closest describes the way that you use energy

    4. Add up your stars and add them to the Table H. Energy Action Summary ( = 1, = )

    5. Refer to the Suggested Actions Summary column and your Home Energy Audit Booklet

    6. Transfer the suggested actions to Table H. Highlight areas that you realistically think you can make changes and note the questionsthat you may have OR list the changes you have already implemented on Table I - Energy Improvement Summary

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    CitiPower Pty Powercor Australia Ltd

    A. Water heating, shower, bath and taps

    Your energy use is closest toHow do you use energy?

    High energy use Moderate energy use Energy efficientNotes and suggested actions

    What type of waterheater do you use? Electric storage0 Gas Solar, 5-star gas orheat pump

    If you need a new hot waterheater, look at solar or 5-star gassystems

    Check your hot watertemperature (1)*

    65C or more 62C 60C Australian Standards require hotwater heaters to be set at no lessthan 60C. Instantaneous gaswater heaters can be set to lowertemperatures. Internal

    thermostats require adjustmentsby a qualified tradesperson. Setthermostats between 60-65C.Turn off your system (includingthe pilot light) when you go onholidays

    What is your showers

    hot water flow rate?(2)

    Greater than 15

    litres per minute

    12 litres per minute Less than 9 litres per

    minute

    Install a AAA rated shower head.

    How do you showerand bathe?

    Long showersand deep baths

    Showers only, shallowbath

    Short showers (lessthan 3 minutes)

    A bath can use over 100 litres ofwater. A short shower can useless than 30 litres

    Is there insulation(lagging) on your hotwater pipes?

    None0

    Some (eg. the first metreonly of the hot waterpipe)

    Lagging on cold andhot pipes

    Insulate exposed copper pipeswith rubber tubing (lagging) whichreduces heat loss before it gets

    to the where you use it. Pipesthat are too hot to touch requirelagging

    Your total Total = / 11

    (1) If you dont know your thermostat setting place a thermometer under running hot water closest to the water heater, then add 3 degrees if you dont have lagging. Thiswill tell you how hot the water is within the heater before it gets to your taps

    (2) Capture water in a bucket in ten seconds, and then multiply the volume by six. Remember to use the water on your garden

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    CitiPower Pty Powercor Australia Ltd

    B. Clothes washing and drying

    Your energy use is closest toHow do you use energy?

    High energy use Moderate energy use Energy efficient

    Notes and suggestedactions

    What water temperaturedo you use?

    Always hot or warm Sometimes warm Always cold Most of the energy usedin washing clothescomes from heating thewater. Change to acold waterpowder/detergent. Ifyou need a new washerchoose an energy

    efficient unit with a coldwater option. Fill yourwashing machine upwith water from a tapand bucket beforeturning it on. Installaqua-locks and tapaerators on washingmachines. Frontloaders are best

    How do you dryclothes?

    Always use the dryer Sometimes use thedryer

    Always dry on clothesline or on racks

    Use the dryer less. Usean extra spin dry beforeusing the dryer. If youneed a new dryerchoose an energy

    efficient unitYour total Total = / 4

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    CitiPower Pty Powercor Australia Ltd

    C. Fridges and freezers

    Your energy use is closest toHow do you use energy?

    High energy use Moderate energy use Energy efficientNotes and suggested actions

    Do you have a secondfridge or freezer?

    Always running Only running whenneeded

    No second fridge orfreezer

    Use your second fridgeonly when needed. Oldunits are less efficient thatnewer ones. If you want toupgrade, choose the mostenergy efficient versionavailable. Install a timeron your beer fridge

    Where are your fridge(s)and freezer(s) located?

    In a hot spot, exposedto direct sunlight or nextto cooking areas

    In a warm part of thehouse

    In a cool part of thehouse

    Locate fridges andfreezers in cool areasaway from sunlight andstoves

    Check your fridge andfreezer temperature (3)

    Running at less than3C

    Frosts up occasionally Fridge does not frostup

    The recommendedoperating temperature fora fridge is 3C to 5C andfor freezers is -15C to-18C. Adjust thethermostats to achievethese temperatures. If youneed a new fridge offreezer choose an energyefficient model

    Are your fridge and

    freezer well ventilated?

    No air gaps on either

    the top or the sides

    Some air gaps Plenty of ventilation

    spaces around fridgeand freezer

    Fridges/freezers need

    gaps to disperse excessheat. Wipe dust offexposed coils. Ensuredoor seals are in tact anddoors shut automatically

    Your total Total = / 7

    (3) To measure your temperatures place the thermometer at the back and bottom of the fridge and freezer for two minutes

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    CitiPower Pty Powercor Australia Ltd

    D. Insulation, shading and draught proofing

    Your energy use is closest toHow do you use energy?

    High energy use Moderate energy use Energy efficientNotes and suggested actions

    Is your home insulated? No Ceiling 2 Ceiling and walls

    Insulation is measured by itsthermal resistance. Installinsulation

    Do you have shading onnorth facing windows?

    None Some Shades summersun only

    Well designed eaves shadesummer sun while allowingwinter sun in. Alternatively,install externalblinds/pergola eaves

    Do you have shading oneast and west windows?

    None Some Well shaded insummer

    Install blinds, eaves or planttrees that provide shade inthe summer. Trimvegetation in winter to allowin more natural light

    Do you have curtainsand pelmets over livingroom window?

    None Good curtains Good curtains andpelmets

    Heavy lined curtains andpelmets help keep heat induring winter. Pelmets(covers over the top ofcurtains) are important tostop draughts caused byairflow between windowsand curtains

    Are there draughts fromexternal doors,

    windows? (4)

    Large gaps Some gaps No gaps Use special door andwindow seals. Use door

    snakes. Seal aroundskirting boards, ceilings andunused vents. Closechimney vent flues when notin use

    Your total 0 Total = / 10

    (4) Look for daylight under and around doors or use a lit incense stick and watch for the smoke to move around rather than rise vertically

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    CitiPower Pty Powercor Australia Ltd

    E. Heating and cooling

    Your energy use is closest toHow do you use energy?

    High energy use Moderate energy use Energy efficientNotes and suggested actions

    How much of yourhome do you heat andcool?

    Whole house All living spaces Only rooms thatpeople arein

    Only heat rooms that you are currentlyusing. Close doors between rooms notbeing used

    What do you use forheating?

    Ducted whole ofhouse or manyelectric heaters

    Single room heater To warm clothesandoccasionally towarm rooms

    Ducted air conditioning, electric barheaters and fan blowers can be veryexpensive to run. Wear warm clothes.Turn heaters off when you go to bed.Set thermostats between 18-21C. Bestoptions are; solar, then gasinstantaneous, then gas storage

    What do you use forcooling?

    Ducted whole ofhouse

    Single room airconditioner

    Ceiling fans andnight breezes

    Ceiling fans can significantly improvecomfort and work well with airconditioners. Make sure you reversethe fan direction in winter. Evaporative

    coolers are cheaper to run thanrefrigerative air conditioners. Highefficiency, zoned systems andevaporative AC units are best. Setthermostats between 25-27C

    What is your livingroom temperatureduring winter?

    24C or more 22C 20C or less Lowering the thermostat of heaters byone degree can reduce energy use by10%

    What is you livingroom temperatureduring summer? (5)

    21C or less 23C 25C or more Raising the thermostat of coolingsystems by one degree can reduceenergy use by 10%

    Your total 0 Total = / 7

    (5) Place a thermometer near where you spend most of you time. If you can read the thermostat setting on your heater/cooler it may be different to the temperaturewhere you sit to watch TV for example

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    CitiPower Pty Powercor Australia Ltd

    F. Lighting

    Your energy use is closest toHow do you use energy?

    High energy use Moderate energy use Energy efficientNotes and suggested actions

    What types of lightsdo you have?

    Incandescent orhalogen lights0

    Some fluorescents Mainly fluorescents

    Fluorescent lights use much lessenergy than incandescent globes orhalogen down lights

    Do you regularly turnoff lights?

    Lights left on allthe time

    Lights occasionallyturned off

    Lights are turnedoff when no one isin the room

    Fluorescent light can be linked tomotion sensors to light come onwhen people come near them

    Your total Total = / 2

    G. Standby, cooking and other

    Your energy use is closest toHow do you use energy?

    High energy use Moderate energy use Energy efficientNotes and suggested actions

    Do you have a pool? Heated, withfilter always

    running

    Solar, or not heated,filter runs for 6 hours

    a day and regularlycleaned

    No pool Consider a solar pool heater and blanket.Keep filters clean. Salt water chlorinators can

    double energy use

    Do you heat yourbeds?

    Waterbed Electric blanketturned on just beforebed time

    No heating Waterbeds are very costly to run. Make yourbed each day to reduce heat loss if electricblankets are on timers. Turn blankets off asyou go to bed

    What are your mainforms of cooking?

    Electric stoveand oven

    Occasionallymicrowave

    Microwaveand/or gas

    cooker

    Choose microwave and gas cooking. Ensureovens have good seals. Place lids of

    saucepans and potsHow do you turn offyour appliances?

    Turn on andoff with aremote control

    Sometimes turn off atthe wall

    Turn off at thewall most of thetime

    Appliances with standby modes are still usingelectricity. Turn these appliances off at thewall when not in use or install timers

    Do you have acomputer? If so, howdo you turn computers

    and screens off?

    Left on forlong periods

    Use energy/sleepfeatures

    Monitor and PCturned off at thewall/ dont have

    computer

    Most modern computers can bet set onto asleep mode when not in use for a period oftime. Turn computers off at the wall when not

    in use. Screen saver does not save energyYour total Total = / 7

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    CitiPower Pty Powercor Australia Ltd

    E Heating and cooling From / 7

    to / 7

    F Lighting From / 2to / 2

    G Standby, cooking and other From / 7

    to / 7

    Sources: Energy Australia website www.energy.sa.gov.au; Moreland Energy Foundation; Sustainable Energy Foundation of Victoria

    http://www.energy.sa.gov.au/http://www.energy.sa.gov.au/