Finding ways to make a difference in our energy consumption can also have a big personal pay-off.
Over the past year there have been many rooftop, grid-connected solar panels installed in our area. The most common size is 1KW. The daily electricity production of such systems seems to be averaging around 4.5 Kilowatt-hours in summer and 2.5 in winter. This is some 25 to 50 per cent of the average household electricity usage. I was therefore surprised and full of admiration when Nadine Hood, the enthusiastic owner of one such system in Bangalow, recently proudly showed me her powe
r bill, which read: “No payment required”! This was in December, before the higher feed-in tariff applied (see below).
I asked how she had achieved such a low usage. Had she been away most of the time? She had in fact been in residence, though admittedly usually a one-person household. She passed on the following tips for low consumption:
- Top-grade wool insulation in ceilings and whirly birds for ventilation.
- Solar hot water.
- Eco-lighting with low usage bulbs.
- Switch equipment off at the wall when not in use, to avoid standby wastage.
- Use a sequence of combinations of awnings, inside and outside blinds and curtains as the sun moves around the house, to keep the heat out.
- Cover up with rugs and jumpers rather than immediately switching on a heater.
- Carry a wind-up torch rather than leave outside lights on.
Nadine has no major power-using appliances such as dishwasher, swimming pool or plasma TV, but has an old electric stove, a computer and occasionally runs a small air conditioner, “when the heat gets too much”.
Heartbeat would love to hear how other and different-sized households are lowering their energy bills. We’d also appreciate leads for stories on other potential ‘Heartbeat greenie of the month’. Brian Sundstrom
Meters for new power feed-in tariffs
The NSW government’s promise to pay 60cents/KWH for all electricity generated from household PV grid-connected panels (see Heartbeat Dec 09) has been honoured from January 2010. New meters are required however. Country Energy will supply these, but they are not available until March. Households have to arrange and pay for the installation by accredited electricians. I understand at least one major installer of the panels is planning to contact their customers re meter installation options. BS