Energy Efficient Housing
Earth Sanctuary Homestead
The Earth Sanctuary homestead is on display as an Earth friendly home and like many homes today, this dwelling had to go through many changes in order to become sustainable. Let’s look at what we did.
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Sustainable Design
Our Story
Welcome to our Earth Sanctuary. We all know global warming is a fact and we’d all like to do something to make a big difference. But where to begin? The answer, of course, is that you already have! Starting to change the way you think is the biggest hurdle. Well done! The next thing to do is to act on your thoughts and work towards creating a sustainable home. This is what we have did:
Interior
1. INSTALLED COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMPS (CFL’s).
CFL’s use around 20% of the power required by an incandescent bulb.
2. TURNED APPLIANCES OFF AT WALL. REMOVED STANDBY LIGHTS.
The average home contains at least ten energy - wasting circuits that consume 20-60 W—equivalent to a single light bulb left on all the time.
3. 12 VOLT LAPTOP COMPUTER SYSTEMS REPLACED DESKTOP PC’S.
Laptop computers are up to 80% more energy efficient than desktops.
4. REMOVED CLOTHES DRYER AND SUN DRIED ALL CLOTHES.
A dryer is typically the second-biggest electricity-using appliance.
5. INSTALLED FILTRATION SYSTEMS TO HOUSEHOLD WATER,INCLUDING SHOWER WITH ADDITIONAL WATER SAVING NOZEL.
When using mains water, our filters eliminated unwanted toxins.
6. INSTALLED APPLIANCES WITH HIGH ENERGY EFFICIENT RATINGS.
Fridge, kettle and other appliances. The more stars the more efficient.
7. SOLAR OVEN. USE ENERGY EFFICENT COOKING WHERE POSSIBLE.
A solar oven is the ultimate in energy-efficient cooking. See page 76.
8. SET THERMOSTATS HIGHER IN SUMMER AND LOWER IN WINTER.
Each 1C saved = 10% energy saving.
Did You Know
Home energy conservation tips can help towards having a more energy efficient home. Having an energy efficient home is something we should all strive for. Not only can small steps be taken to lighten the carbon footprint we leave behind for future generations but these same steps can really save a bunch of money on your utility bills. Something as simple as changing a light bulb can make a dramatic difference in the energy efficiency and COST SAVINGS within your home!.
Light Up My Life
Did you know that if every home in the United States changed just ONE incandescent bulb for a compact fluorescent "squiggly bulb", the energy saved would be enough to power 2.5 MILLION homes!
Built to last 10,000 hours, this fluorescent light bulb has an average life span of more than 10 times that of standard 1000 - hour incandescent bulbs.
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The Earth is Our Teacher
Understanding the climate is a great lesson. In Central Australia, we work with extreme desert conditions. In winter, temperatures can drop to - 10 C and burst water pipes. Summer temperatures can soar to +55 C in the sun and ultra violet light turns materials to dust. A sandstorm with wind gusts up to 160 km/hr ripped up roofing and destroyed our first windmill. We quickly learned the importance of insulation and energy conservation and we:
Exterior
1. INSTALLED SOLAR ENERGY PANELS.
With solar energy, we create no global pollution. See page 54.
2. PAINTED TIN ROOF WITH WHITE THERMAL INSULATION PAINT.
Saves cooling cost.Reduces temperature of house by 10 - 12 C.
3. REPLACED ELECTRIC HOT WATER SYSTEM WITH SOLAR.
Solar heating = 20% saving of household energy. See page 50.
4. ENVIROLOO INSTALLED TO SAVE WATER.
Saves 73,000 litres of drinking water per year. See page 70.
5. U.V SHADE CLOTH ERECTED ON SIDE OF HOUSE AND OVER POOL.
Natural cooling. Shade cloth and easterly breeze further cools house.
6. ESTABLISHED GREENHOUSE.
Fresh organic herbs and vegetables. See page 22.
7. RENEWABLE ENERGY - WIND GENERATORS INSTALLED.
Wind energy further reducing global CO2 pollution. See page 66.
8. GUTTERING AND RAINWATER TANKS INSTALLED.
Water conservation is energy conservation. Tank capacity 72,000
litres. 40 to 60% water saving with having showers and not baths.
See page 30.
The Facts
While renewable energy sources such as domestic wind turbines, solar panels and micro - hydro schemes have a role to play in tackling climate change, it is mportant to realise that energy efficiency can be SEVEN times more cost effective.
TURN IT OFF
75% of electricity used by home electronics is consumed while "off". By using a power strip and switching off when not in use, you lessen CO2 emissions and reduce your energy bill.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can save energy in both the summer and the winter. In the summer, fan blades should revolve in a counterclockwise direction. In winter months, set your fan at its slowest speed and reverse it in order to push warm air down.
Energy Smart Appliances
An energy-smart clothes washer can save more water in one year than one person drinks in an entire lifetime!
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Quiz - Sustainable Design
Imagine being able to build your own sustainable house? We all go to school to learn, meet friends and then one day, we can work to earn money and make society a greater place to live. What’s great about sustainability, is that it helps to reduce the cost of living in more ways than one. So here’s the next quiz! Remember, most of the answers can be found in the previous section but some questions may require you to dig deeper. So, consider the internet, go to the library or ask a friend.
1. In what ways is it beneficial to make your home more efficient?
2. List 3 ways in which you can achieve greater efficiency in the house and / or around the house.
3. Which of the listed ways can you reduce heating costs in the house: a. better roof/wall insulation b. close / seal doors / windows / c. wear more clothes d. answers a, b and c.
4. List 3 ways in which we can improve cooling in the house?
5. Why are appliances with a higher energy star rating the best choice?
6. How much energy can be saved when we set the thermostat by just 1 deg higher in summer and 1 degree lower in winter?
7. Standby lights on appliances indicate that power is still being used. What can be done to save on this power wastage?
8. ACTIVITY: Draw up a plan for your house using the 6 categories: energy, water, shelter, food, utilities and well-being. Over time, begin to add ways of improving each area in your home i.e. energy: replace light globes to compact fluorescent lamps. Use a time line, so that you can monitor your progress over weeks, months and even years. Before you know, it you'll be living a more sustainable lifestyle than ever before and others can learn the tricks from you.