Post on 11-May-2015
My Project
Anna Sharp
OrientationOrientation• A well orientated house
has: north facing daytime and living areas; bedtime and utilities facing south; the long axis of the house running from east to west; large windows on the north side of the house to let the sun in in winter, and large, open lining areas.
• Our house is really well orientated, with everything mentioned earlier, so I wouldn’t really change anything.
• A well orientated house has: north facing daytime and living areas; bedtime and utilities facing south; the long axis of the house running from east to west; large windows on the north side of the house to let the sun in in winter, and large, open lining areas.
• Our house is really well orientated, with everything mentioned earlier, so I wouldn’t really change anything.
InsulationInsulation• Insulation is material that
reduces heat loss or gain through surfaces like ceilings, walls and floors, which reduces the need for air-conditioning and heaters.
• It comes in many different materials shapes and sizes.Our house is already insulated, but I would insulate the walls, and use better insulation, probably made of cellulose fibre (made from recycled newspapers), for the ceiling.
• Insulation is material that reduces heat loss or gain through surfaces like ceilings, walls and floors, which reduces the need for air-conditioning and heaters.
• It comes in many different materials shapes and sizes.Our house is already insulated, but I would insulate the walls, and use better insulation, probably made of cellulose fibre (made from recycled newspapers), for the ceiling.
Air-ConditionersAir-Conditioners
• There are three main types of A/C; refrigerative; geothermal; and evaporative.
• Ducted air-conditioners run through the whole house. The best ducted systems are zoned, which means you can control which areas of the house is air-conditioned.
• Our house uses ducted refrigerative A/C, but I would use geothermal instead, with a ceiling fan to circulate the air
• There are three main types of A/C; refrigerative; geothermal; and evaporative.
• Ducted air-conditioners run through the whole house. The best ducted systems are zoned, which means you can control which areas of the house is air-conditioned.
• Our house uses ducted refrigerative A/C, but I would use geothermal instead, with a ceiling fan to circulate the air
Ways to Reduce A/C Use
• A/C’s have star ratings, with more stars being more efficient
• The recommended wattage is 125W/m2
for living areas, and 80W/m2 for bedrooms
• Double or triple glazing windows and using blinds or curtains with pelmets reduces heat transfer
• Ceiling fans circulate the warm/cool air around the room
• Always set the A/C as high s possible, preferably more than 25C, as every degree lower add an additional 10-15%to the costs
Ways to Reduce A/C Use
• A/C’s have star ratings, with more stars being more efficient
• The recommended wattage is 125W/m2
for living areas, and 80W/m2 for bedrooms
• Double or triple glazing windows and using blinds or curtains with pelmets reduces heat transfer
• Ceiling fans circulate the warm/cool air around the room
• Always set the A/C as high s possible, preferably more than 25C, as every degree lower add an additional 10-15%to the costs
A/C TypesA/C Types
LightingLighting• I would use LED globes
because they are the most energy efficient
• I would also replace our halogen down lights with LED ones
• I would use LED globes because they are the most energy efficient
• I would also replace our halogen down lights with LED ones
Turning off lights you no
longer need is a great way to save
energy
• There are several different types of light bulbs; mainly incandescent globes, mains voltage halogens, low voltage halogens, Cell's (Compact Fluorescent Lamps), fluorescent tubes and LED’s (Light Emitting Diode)
• There are several different types of light bulbs; mainly incandescent globes, mains voltage halogens, low voltage halogens, Cell's (Compact Fluorescent Lamps), fluorescent tubes and LED’s (Light Emitting Diode)
Light BulbsLight Bulbs
Water HeatingWater Heating• Water heating accounts for
25% of household energy use• Water heating units are
best located as close as possible to bathrooms kitchens and laundries.
• Water heating accounts for 25% of household energy use
• Water heating units are best located as close as possible to bathrooms kitchens and laundries.
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I would install a solar powered heater because they have the least greenhouse gas emissions.Gas boosted solar heating emits less greenhouse gases than electric solar, so I would choose this option.
Cooking AppliancesCooking Appliances• Using microwaves instead of ovens is more energy
efficient, as microwaves use 75% less energy than ovens. Ovens also waste 90% of their energy.
• Using small appliances such as electric kettles, slow cookers, toasters, electric fry pans, pressure cookers and deep fryers saves energy, as they are smaller, and use less energy
We already have many of the above small appliances, but I would buy some electric kettles and fry pans.
• Using microwaves instead of ovens is more energy efficient, as microwaves use 75% less energy than ovens. Ovens also waste 90% of their energy.
• Using small appliances such as electric kettles, slow cookers, toasters, electric fry pans, pressure cookers and deep fryers saves energy, as they are smaller, and use less energy
We already have many of the above small appliances, but I would buy some electric kettles and fry pans.
Using small appliances instead of ovens and stovetops is more energy efficient.
Fridges and FreezersFridges and Freezers
Do’s Don’tsKeep in a cool, ventilated space, away from heat sources
Open doors too often or for too long
Leave space around the sides, top, and back for air circulation
Over-fill fresh food or freezer compartments
Regularly clean condenser coils Leave on when away for long periods
Check the door seals to prevent air leakage
Have the fridge at less than 3C or 5C
Defrost the freezer when more than 75mm of frost has built up
Have the freezer at less than -18C or more than -15C
I would leave more space around our fridge for air circulation
Home EntertainmentHome Entertainment• Rear-projection units
use less energy than CRT’s (Catho-Ray Tube), plasmas, or LCD’s.
• Laptops are designed to use less energy than desktops, so they can be away from a power unit for a long time.
• Rear-projection units use less energy than CRT’s (Catho-Ray Tube), plasmas, or LCD’s.
• Laptops are designed to use less energy than desktops, so they can be away from a power unit for a long time.
• I would use a rear-projection unit television set instead of our current television. We already have a laptop rather than a desktop computer.
• I would use a rear-projection unit television set instead of our current television. We already have a laptop rather than a desktop computer.
Turning electrical appliances off at the wall saves energy
T.V TypesT.V Types
StandbyStandbyAppliance Electricity
used if left on all year
Cost if left on all year
Cordless phone 3W $6.57
Computer monitor 5W $10.95
DVD player 8W $17.52
TV 10W $21.90
Total 26W $56.94
I would buy a standby controller, which turns electrical devices off automatically
WaterWater
Low-flow showers save 11L/minute
Dual flush toilets save 50% of water per flush
Install water efficient taps with aerators
Put food scraps in in a compost heap or worm farm
The dishwasher uses more water than the sink
Using a washing machine machine with a full load saves 10L/wash
Use the plug when washing hands
Rinse fruits and vegetables in a half full sink
Saving Water IndoorsSaving Water Indoors
Saving Water OutdoorsSaving Water Outdoors
A watering can uses 3% of the water of hose on for 30 minutes
Wash cars with buckets instead of a hose
Use native plants- they are adapted to Perth conditions and water
Use grey water from the bathroom to water the garden
Water plants early or late in the day
Using lawn clippings as mulch can reduce evaporation by up to 70%
Don’t cut the grass shorter than 2cm
Group plants with similar watering needs together
Use a drip irrigation system
Water the soil instead of the leaves Remove weeds
Don’t hose hard surfaces
Rooftop GardensRooftop Gardens• Rooftop gardens
insulate ceilings, reduce the operating temperature of solar panels and reduce the temperature of the building.
• As they transpire, the water cools air temperature. The cold air drops down the side of the building, cooling it.
• Rooftop gardens insulate ceilings, reduce the operating temperature of solar panels and reduce the temperature of the building.
• As they transpire, the water cools air temperature. The cold air drops down the side of the building, cooling it.
I would plant either vegetables and edible plants, or native shrubs. I would also plant a creeper where it can grow up a screen. Under the creeper I would have a sofa, or a hanging egg-shaped chair.
I would plant grass or grass-like plants around my solar panels, to reduce their operating temperature, without blocking the sun.
I would plant either vegetables and edible plants, or native shrubs. I would also plant a creeper where it can grow up a screen. Under the creeper I would have a sofa, or a hanging egg-shaped chair.
I would plant grass or grass-like plants around my solar panels, to reduce their operating temperature, without blocking the sun.
Plants + GardenPlants + Garden• I would plant…
• Native trees• Native shrubs• Fruit trees
• I would have in my garden…• A frog pond• Bird nesting boxes• Logs • Other habitat building
objects• A fountain• A compost heap or worm
farm• A ladder/staircase to
reach the rooftop garden
• I would plant…• Native trees• Native shrubs• Fruit trees
• I would have in my garden…• A frog pond• Bird nesting boxes• Logs • Other habitat building
objects• A fountain• A compost heap or worm
farm• A ladder/staircase to
reach the rooftop garden
CarsCars• Electric cars don’t emit
toxic gases into the air• They are very expensive
and hard to find• They use lots of
electricity, but I would have solar panels to produce the necessary power
• Hybrids use electricity and petrol motors to power a car
• They are cheaper and easier to find than electric cars
• Electric cars don’t emit toxic gases into the air
• They are very expensive and hard to find
• They use lots of electricity, but I would have solar panels to produce the necessary power
• Hybrids use electricity and petrol motors to power a car
• They are cheaper and easier to find than electric cars
• I would have either an electric car or a hybrid
• They would be powered by electricity from my solar panels
• I would have either an electric car or a hybrid
• They would be powered by electricity from my solar panels
Driving HabitsDriving Habits
Inflate tyres regularly
Tune engine regularly
Remove roof racks
Use the right motor oilReplace
clogged air filters
Get rid of excess weight
Change oil filters regularly
Be consistent and smooth with the accelerator and brake
Use cruise controlon a straight highway
If idle for more than thirty seconds, turn the engine off
Use high gears when possible
Avoid peak hour
Don’t slam the brakesUse high
quality fuel
Waste+Recycling Waste+Recycling • Compost heaps and worm farms
decompose food scraps, which can be used as compost for plants, and are a great way to reduce waste.
• We use an urban composter, which is pretty much a compost heap for using indoors. It is a great way to save space, and it has a lid so it doesn’t stink the house up, although when you open it to use on the garden, it really stinks, so that’s Dad’s job.
• I would have two or three of these, so we could have them on a constant rotation, with one being filled up, one decomposing, and maybe another one finishing decomposing/being used.
• Compost heaps and worm farms decompose food scraps, which can be used as compost for plants, and are a great way to reduce waste.
• We use an urban composter, which is pretty much a compost heap for using indoors. It is a great way to save space, and it has a lid so it doesn’t stink the house up, although when you open it to use on the garden, it really stinks, so that’s Dad’s job.
• I would have two or three of these, so we could have them on a constant rotation, with one being filled up, one decomposing, and maybe another one finishing decomposing/being used.
BibliographyBibliography• South Australian Government (2011) Water, energy and
environment - Government of South Australia 19/8/2012 http://www.sa.gov.au/subject/water%2C+energy+and+environment
• Government of South Australia (2011) Saving Water | Water for Good 20/8/2012 http://www.waterforgood.sa.gov.au/using-water/saving-water/
• Molloy, M. (2010) A Growing Trend G Magazine (Issue 24, January/February 2010) 42-46
• Thompson, J. (2010) Cool Change G Magazine (Issue 24, January/February 2010) 48-50
• Barry, C. (2010) Eco Challenge G Magazine (Issue 24, January/February 2010) 56-58
• Mason, P. (2008) Environmental Footprints: How Big is Your Water Footprint?, MacMillan Education Australia Pty Ltd
• South Australian Government (2011) Water, energy and environment - Government of South Australia 19/8/2012 http://www.sa.gov.au/subject/water%2C+energy+and+environment
• Government of South Australia (2011) Saving Water | Water for Good 20/8/2012 http://www.waterforgood.sa.gov.au/using-water/saving-water/
• Molloy, M. (2010) A Growing Trend G Magazine (Issue 24, January/February 2010) 42-46
• Thompson, J. (2010) Cool Change G Magazine (Issue 24, January/February 2010) 48-50
• Barry, C. (2010) Eco Challenge G Magazine (Issue 24, January/February 2010) 56-58
• Mason, P. (2008) Environmental Footprints: How Big is Your Water Footprint?, MacMillan Education Australia Pty Ltd