| Homes should create an environment that makes | | | | creating a burning hazard for young children. |
| you feel good all year round- cool in the summer, | | | | 4. If your hot water cylinder needs replacing, why |
| warm in the winter, and doesn't cause a heart | | | | not consider solar heating? Solar water can cut up |
| attack when the power bill arrives! | | | | to 35% off your power bill, and not to mention is |
| Creating a comfortable and energy efficient home | | | | good for our water-starved environment. |
| is easy if you follow these simple steps: | | | | Before buying, be sure to do your research, as |
| 1. Stop draughts. This is an extremely cost | | | | they will vary in performance standard; and be |
| effective way of saving energy, especially in old | | | | sure to get a solid warranty. |
| homes that can be prone to gaps. | | | | 5. Install water efficient showerheads if your |
| Examine ceilings, wall junctions and other semi | | | | shower puts out more than 12 litres of water per |
| open spaces. Seal those sneaky spaces with | | | | minute. This is an easy way of reducing your |
| expanding filler foam or silicon sealer to keep the | | | | energy and water consumption without even |
| draughts out and the warm air in. | | | | noticing. |
| Unused chimneys are a huge creator of draughts. | | | | 6. Try using energy efficient light bulbs, or if the |
| Block up with crumpled newspaper or seal off | | | | lighting quality is a problem, try half and half (one |
| completely and make it into a design feature in | | | | out of two lightbulbs are energy-saving, the other |
| itself. | | | | is normal). Some companies run good deals for |
| Draught stoppers are old fashioned but you'd be | | | | buying at a certain time so keep your eye out |
| surprised at how much heat sneaks through the | | | | and upgrade your home for less. |
| gap under the door. Be creative and find | | | | 7. If building a new home, do your research and |
| aesthetically pleasing versions of this old classic | | | | make sensible design decisions. Double-glazed |
| and enjoy the difference they make! | | | | windows reduce heat loss by almost 50% and |
| 2. Line your curtains, ideally with thermal backing in | | | | retain heat better as well. They also reduce noise |
| very cold areas. This keeps the cold air from the | | | | and condensation, which can be a constant battle |
| windows out and the warm air from you paid-for | | | | in some houses. Good insulation between walls can |
| heating in. they can also help block out light for a | | | | have the same effect (noise reduction) as well as |
| better nights sleep. | | | | insulation. Investigate the large variety of |
| Ensure curtains hang to the floor and have | | | | plasterboard on the market to find one that's |
| generous stackbacks to retain a good seal. | | | | right for you. |
| 3. Unless your hot water cylinder is top of the line, | | | | Consider the houses orientation to the sun, the |
| insulate the cylinder and at least 1 metre of pipe | | | | climate you live in, any existing trees or houses, |
| closest to it. This can be as cheap as an old wool | | | | etc. talk to your architect- its their job to know |
| blanket and some duct tape or, especially made | | | | about these kinds of things. |
| insulation wrap can be purchased. | | | | While these may seem like expensive decisions at |
| Keep the thermostat at a reasonable | | | | the time, remember the money you will save in |
| temperature. 42 degrees Celsius for washing | | | | the long run on power and energy costs. |
| yourself and 50 degrees Celsius for washing | | | | So as you can see, some simple changes can be |
| dishes is as hot as you need it. Any higher then | | | | made to a new or existing home to create a |
| that is wasting energy and your money, and | | | | cosy and environmentally friendly haven for all. |