We carried out an energy audit for John who had power bills over $1000 per quarter despite him taking care to reduce power use. Our investigation found John's main downstairs living space is difficult to heat due to a large void opening to the second level above, resulting in the large air conditioner working hard for little result in winter. However, we did find other items with high standby power usage that could be switched off shaving 10% off the bill. The biggest was the standby load of an air conditioner for a space that was not being used. We were also able to recommend measures to further reduce the bill without any impact on lifestyle.
When clients reach out to us about wanting to improve their energy usage we can't help but do an internal happy dance!
Every step toward reducing your bills is worth celebrating, so when Verity and Graham contacted us regarding their energy consumption and current solar system, we couldn't wait to help them out. John visited Verity and Grahams home for a Home Energy Consultation where he assessed their energy bills, heating/cooling systems, windows, shading, hot water and pool area. He also inspected and reported on their current solar panel system where he found that the panels had quite a bit of lichen growing on them. This is a great example of how maintaining and cleaning your panels can result in their performance being improved for next to zero cost. John's email report was broken down into detailed sections, communicating where energy was currently being used and the best options to reduce power use. This methodical approach allows our clients to clearly see how they can refine their sustainable lifestyle and get the most out of every change. We will catch up with Verity and Graham in a few months to see how they're tracking. Lee and Cecile contacted Ecological Design when they decided that they wanted a Home Energy Consultation. They were planning a renovation and wanted advice on how to improve the thermal performance of their home.
John met Lee and Cecile on site and provided a detailed analysis of their home and options to improve the overall energy efficiency going forward. Lee recently got in contact and let us know that his project is still on hold but wanted to share the results of some small changes advised by John. Lee and Cecile have solar panels and recently switched their gas cooktop to an induction cooktop and their gas hot water heater to heat pump hot water. With these changes, Lee informed us that their last quarterly bill went from $550 to just $10! They are understandably thrilled and only expect things to improve as they begin their renovation and implement more of John's advice into their home. We will check in with them in 6 months to hear about their renovation. ![]() Brian called me to find out about getting an energy audit after his quarterly power bill in their Mosman unit had risen to over $2,500 per quarter. I conducted a complete audit of all the power usage in the home measuring both the running power usage and the standby power usage of most items, which we then presented in a spreadsheet to show where the power was being used. I also gave Brian recommendations for the most cost effective ways to reduce his bill by over 50% with little or no change to his lifestyle. 9 months later Brian sent me his most recent power bill. By following most of our recommendations plus a couple of other measures he had achieved a 75% drop in power compared with the same time 12 months earlier! That's a tremendous result for the environment and his hip pocket. Well done Brian! ![]() As the Sydney Desalination plant ramps up operations again, using approximately 5 kWatts of energy for each kilolitre of water desalinated, at Ecological Design, we are back on 100% rainwater thanks to our first good rain in 2 months in Newtown. We’ve had over 40mm so far, while in the same time, the catchment has received so little rain that the combined stored volume continued to drop - now down to 54%. With a full 3500 litres in an above ground tank and 3000 litres in a bladder tank under the floor at the home/office, we can now go another month with no rainfall before we need mains water again. This big difference between the rainfall on eastern suburbs roofs vs in the dam catchments is the reason rainwater harvesting makes good sense in Sydney. ![]() Paul had a problem - home power bills of over $3500 per quarter - and while with a pool, quite a few fridges, and some large air-conditioner usage, he expected larger than average bills, that seemed too large. He called Ecological Design and organised for us to conduct a full Energy Audit where we measured the power usage of every appliance in the house and advised on saving measures which could be made. In the audit, we found some bathroom floor heating which was running right through summer, and some large standby loads. By the time we left, the power usage had dropped from 5 kilowatts (when we arrived) to just 1 kilowatt and Paul had the answers to where his power was going and what needed to be done to keep his bills reasonable. We also identified some improvements that could be made to his solar power system. One week later, Paul sent us a screen shot showing his power bill had dropped by 65%. Nice. ![]() Did you know you can collect and store your excess solar power during the day so it’s available to use at night? It can be a great way to maximise your power savings – especially if you use most of your power at night. How it works If you are a household that currently produces excess solar power, you are probably selling it back to your energy provider at a much lower price than you pay to buy power. However, if you have a solar battery, you can store that excess power to use in the evening instead of buying it from the grid. Solar battery storage technology is advancing quickly with systems becoming more accessible (in terms of price and ease of installation). Solar batteries are particularly beneficial for households who generate excess solar power and have high energy usage at night. Ecological Design offers independent advice on practical ways to reduce your energy usage and carbon footprint. The first step is a Home Energy Audit to discover the best options for your particular needs. It all begins with a conversation so call or email John Caley from Ecological Design on 0418 262 706 or info@ecologicaldesign.com.au ![]() With energy prices continuing to rise each year, many households are concerned about their power usage. By installing an energy monitor in your home, you can track your energy usage - even when your appliances are in stand-by mode. How it works There are many different energy monitors available, depending on the functionality you want. All monitors have a sensor installed in your power box and will display your power usage at any given moment either on a dedicated display or on your phone and other devices. Energy monitors are a great diagnostic tool because they give you the information you need to take control of how you use your power. You can see how much power is used by different appliances as they are turned on and see how much standby power is being used when everything is switched off. This information will give you the ability to make informed decisions about ways you can reduce your power bills without compromising your lifestyle. Ecological Design offers independent advice on practical ways to reduce your energy and water usage. The first step is a Home Energy Audit to discover the best options for your particular needs. It all begins with a conversation so call or email John Caley from Ecological Design on 0418 262 706 or info@ecologicaldesign.com.au John Caley will beone of the invited speakers at this event about greening your home, either through retrofitting or as part of a renovation or new build. 28 September 7.15pm at the Nelson Heather Centre, Banksia Room, 5 Jacksons Rd Warriewood. Organised by permaculture northern beaches Details in the flyer below
![]() Need some professional guidance on your sustainable renovation or new build? Thinking about solar power or efficient water? Redesigning your garden or wanting to create green roof? John Caley will be one of the sustainability experts you can meet with to discuss your project. Get FREE advice and tips from Australia’s leading green architects and experts on energy efficient products, solar, gardens and more at Speed Date a Sustainability Expert, coming to Randwick on 4 September. Registrations are required. |
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August 2022
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