Save Power Challenge: Ask the home energy expert

Forgive me for asking, but could i see your qualifications on how you became a climate change expert, as the term expert is used rather loosly nowadays.

leo of wollondilly
Tuesday 20 September 2010 6:55AM

Hi Leo, fair question! I'm an engineer by training, and have worked on energy efficiency advice programs in Government and industry for about 10 years. I've got particular experience in energy savings from buildings including homes and commercial buildings

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 04:15pm

is there such a thing as a green switch, which turns the power off when you turn the tv off? if it exists, does it save money?

dominique
Tuesday 20 September 2010 9:02AM

Hi Dominique, yes, you can buy an 'eco-switch' which is power board that has a master plug, and a series of 'slaves'. When the master is off, the power to the 'slaves' gets turned off automatically, which means they're not using power. For example, you might plug the TV into the master switch, and the DVD, set top box and sound system into the slaves. When you turn off the TV using your remote, the others will also switch off! As standby power can account for up to 10 per cent of your bill, this can save you quite a bit of money. These switches cost $40-60 in hardware shops and supermarkets but will pay for themselves quickly.

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 04:20pm

Matthew. Does it cost more to keep switching the light on when entering the room and then turning it off when leaving the room or do you save by leaving the light on? Jezza

jezza of sydney
Tuesday 20 September 2010 10:23AM

Hi Jezza, you should always switch the light off when you leave the room. Some people think that switching the light on and off uses a lot of power, but its really only the same as the light uses in a few seconds. How many times have you thought that you'll only be out of the room for a few seconds, but half an hour later you still haven't gone back. Even if you did come back only a minute later you would have saved power by switching it off. So in reality you'll always save power by switching the light off.

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 04:25pm

With the switch to digital television and drop in price of flatscreen televisions it's easy to get roped into buying a big screen television.

Q. What is the "sweet spot" where size and type are a perfect match for energy efficiency?

Q. Do you lose the power saving benefit of going LCD/LED the larger the screen size you go?

Q. Is a smaller screen LCD better then a larger screen LED???

Q. How does brightness and contrast settings affect running costs and efficiency?

So many questions, so many product choices.

Kat of Hornsby
Tuesday 20 September 2010 10:53AM

This is a great question. TV technologies are getting more and more energy efficient, but we’re all looking for bigger screens. There's a new energy rating label that you'll find on any new television that you purchase which will give you an idea of how efficient the different types are. Like with the other appliances you buy, you should always try to choose a high star rated option.

In terms of the 'sweet spot', the star rating will help you decide between similar TVs, but generally smaller screens will use less energy than larger screen TVs. On the rating label underneath the stars themselves is a number – this number tells you how much energy the TV will use compared with others. The star rating will tell you whether a 40" LED TV will use more than the same size plasma, but the number underneath will tell you which uses the most energy regardless of the size of the screen.

The ranking for TV energy efficiency would be plasma using more than LCD and the newer LED TVs using less. For the same size TV, your old style cathode ray TV would probably use more than LCD or LED TV.

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 04:35pm

Hi Matthew

What are your top tips for people who rent and are not permitted to install solar panels or rain water tanks?

Catherine of South Coast
Tuesday 20 September 2010 1:15PM

Hi Catherine,

There are quite a few things you can do which won't require permission from your landlord. The simplest things to do are small changes to the way you use energy like taking shorter showers, switching the lights off when you leave the room, and turning off appliances at the power point rather than using the remote control. You can also buy an 'eco-switch' to automatically shut appliances off at the power point when you're not using them. There are plenty of other low-cost opportunities as well, like replacing any traditional light globes you might have with newer energy efficient compact fluorescents. If you are living on a low income, you might be eligible for the Home Power Savings Program which is available for both renters and homeowners. This provides a free energy assessment and action plan for your home tailored for you.

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 04:13pm

I live with my son in a small 3 bedroom duplex.
My average electricity bill was approximaterly $350 - $400. In peak summer or winter due to air conditioning.
Suddenly my March bill rose to over $800 even though I was not at home from 6th March for 3 weeks.
Next bill again over $800.
I contacted AGL and was advised that I must have more electrical items. Not so, same as last 7 years minus a computer.
Last bill $1500.
Have not had a washing machine for 4 months. Use only fridge, lights, air, 1 x electric blanket.
AGL say reading is correct.
Can't pay this amount as son is on disability pension and I am approaching 65 years and still working. Currently paying fortnightly payments.
How can it be possible to double then triple usage.

BET of Mt Annan
Tuesday 20 September 2010 1:34PM

Hi BET,

With your bills going up like this and not knowing why, the best answer for you might be to have someone coming in to give you some personalised advice. You may be eligible for the Home Power Savings Program, which provides free energy assessments and retrofits for low income earners. As part of the energy assessment, they will check your appliance energy use and work out where you are using energy, and give you an action plan. Visit Home Power Savings Program for more information.

Otherwise get back in touch with AGL and ask what they can do to help.

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 04:43pm

not sure what others do, but i can tell you that switching off at the wall works wonders. my quarterly used to be $80.00, with recent rises it is up to $100.00, or if you prefer i use on average 5kw per day. if any would like other ideas, let me know. such as did you know a digital alarm clock uses approx $25 per month.

bulldog of the brrok
Tuesday 20 September 2010 2:33PM

Hi bulldog, you must be very energy efficient, and it shows just how low your bill could go if you're conscious of saving energy. We've put together a few tips on our website as well – power saving tips

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 04:48pm

My wife and I have already installed a solar hot water system. We have ordered a 2Kw solar cell system which will be installed in October. We have seen a difference in our electricity account from the hot water system and expect much more from the solar panels. Is there anyway of counting the reduction in requirements from power stations as a result of the many systems which have been installed and if so is it noticeable?

dobbieb of Wollongbar
Tuesday 20 September 2010 3:54PM

Hi dobbieb, the Solar Bonus Scheme which pays you for the electricity generated from a solar system in your home is managed by the NSW Department of Industry and Investment. Have a look on their website for information on that scheme and how much energy is now being generated from NSW homes installing solar PV.

Hot water is the biggest energy user for NSW homes, so your investment in solar hot water has resulted in a noticeable difference in your power bills. If you received a NSW Government rebate to switch from an electric storage water heater to the solar system, the return on your investment will be even quicker!

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 04:55pm

Hi, Just wondering… What do you think is easiest thing you could do at home to save a fair chunk of energy?

dKjax of Sydney
Tuesday 20 September 2010 4:11PM

Hi KJAX, the single biggest simple savings you can make is installing a low flow shower head. Hot water is the biggest energy user for most NSW homes. If you use less water to shower, you'll be heating less water and saving money.

The other best simple and no cost savings you can do is to set the temperature on your fridge, heating and cooling. Every 1 degree difference in your heating or cooling thermostat will save you up to 10 per cent of your power usage. For example, reducing the thermostat in winter could save you up to $115 per year, and increasing the thermostat in summer will save you up to $55. Actually there's a lot of simple things you could do – there's a list of tips on our website.

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 05:33pm

Hi Matthew. Do I need council permission to install a rain tank? I’ve been wanting to do so but I am not too sure about the regulations.

Lauren of Sydney
Tuesday 20 September 2010 4:20PM

Hi Lauren, the rules vary between local councils. We recommend that you contact your local council or water authority before installing a tank to make sure it meets all their requirements. There's more information on the rainwater tank part of the rebates website

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 05:22pm

Hi Matthew. I will be renovating my house to install a second level and would love some tips on how to be energy efficient throughout this process. Ideally the ultimate goal would be to save on bills and help the environment!

About to Renovate... of Sydney
Tuesday 20 September 2010 4:20PM

Hi About to Renovate, renovating your home is a good opportunity to invest in energy efficiency improvements that will deliver ongoing savings in your home. There are a few good websites that can help you work out the options for your home. For example, the Australian Government's Your Home website has a lot of good tips. You can also use the BASIX calculator to work out how much energy you will save from different options, see . If you're thinking of engaging a designer or architect to help design the renovation, you should ask them up front whether they can help you improve your energy efficiency as well as giving you a great home.

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 05:18pm

We are considering installing a solar hot water system in our newly built home. What if any rebates exist, and how do we apply for these?

Chelsea of Castle Hill
Tuesday 20 September 2010 4:23PM

Hi Chelsea, if you have built your home in the last 5 years, you will have had to comply with BASIX. This means you will probably have installed the solar hot water system to comply with BASIX, and won't be eligible for a rebate. If not, yes you can claim a rebate - here's a link for more info: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/index.htm.

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 05:05pm

I'm not a fan sorry, I'm a believer of 'if I pay for it, why can't I have long showers'... I pay good money for life's simple pleasures. I'm also from the land of the long white cloud (New Zulund) and I still can't understand why Australians need heaters ... here's a tip – if you aussies want to save power ... HARDEN UP!

Light Bulb
Tuesday 20 September 2010 4:26PM

Hi Light Bulb, fair point and it provides a good opportunity for me to say that saving energy doesn't have to be about suffering. It's about being more efficient in using the resources and technologies we have to save power and money. For example, the old fashioned tuna can showerheads generally use 27 litres of water every minute. A 10 minute shower with one of those will use 270 L of water, that had to be heated using energy. A 3 star water efficient showerhead will use 9 L of water each minute meaning only 90 L of water for the same 10 minute shower, which will save you a lot of energy as well. Using efficient appliances and technologies we can still enjoy the same quality of life, only more efficiently

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 05:12pm

Hi Matthew. Do computers use a lot of electricity if they are not turned off at the powerpoint?

Antonella of Camden
Tuesday 20 September 2010 4:26PM

Hi Antonella, yes they do! Especially if you're putting the computer into sleep mode, which might use almost as much as when it's just running normally. With all appliances, it will be better to switch them off at the power point. Using an eco-switch for your computer will mean that all those other appliances attached to your computer – the printer, monitor, modem etc will all get switched off automatically as well when you turn off the computer.

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 04:58pm

The idea of switching off all appliances at the power point is not possible for older people who have mobility issues. What amount of energy seeps through the cables when appliances are not switched on but are plugged into a power socket?

cchanger of sunshine coast
Tuesday 20 September 2010 4:42PM

Hi cchanger, the amount of energy consumed by your appliance when it is 'off' even though the power socket is on varies a lot. A good example is that a washing machine with a digital display might use as much power when it's not being used as it does when its actually doing the washing. That's why it's always advisable to switch the power point off when you can.

For people with mobility issues that can't reach the wall easily, you might find an eco-switch helpful. There are eco-switches that you turn on and off with your foot, which means you don't have to bend down to turn off the switch by hand.

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 05:03pm

If your an owner of a strata townhouse with a common electrical room away from your house for individual metering can you still get solar panels and get paid for the generated power?

Hum Dee of Sydney
Tuesday 20 September 2010 5:00PM

Hi Hum Dee, you should contact the Department of Industry and Investment for more information on eligibility for the Solar Bonus Scheme

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 05:07pm

Our latest three month power bill was over $3,300.Gulp! We live on country acreage, don't have town water, so every time a tap is turned on an electric pump runs. Our water is collected in huge tanks and pumped into the house. Toilets and garden use bore water. We have a pool and heated spa which we turn off.
We have gone to off peak plan and do laundry at night between 10pm-7am.
We have replaced all the globes with energy saving.
We only heat one room with a reverse cycle aircon or a fake flame electric heater.
We considered solar a few years ago but the sellers wouldn't guarantee the panels would survive our minus 9 degree winter frosts.
Any suggestions on what else we can do?

Susan of Mudgee
Tuesday 20 September 2010 5:15PM

Hi Susan, that's a very high bill so you really need an energy assessment to work out what's going on. If you're eligible you can get a free one through the Home Power Savings Program, otherwise contact your retailer and see what they can do to help.

Matthew Clark
Monday 20 Sep 2010 05:25pm