Topic Overview:
The average daily
energy consumption in Australian houses is about 23
kWh. Much of this is used to provide energy services
that can be addressed using other forms of energy
or by simply using less energy. To save energy in
the home we first need to understand where the energy
is being consumed and what the patterns of consumption
are. To do this we need to carry out an energy audit.
This talk will explain the basics of a domestic energy
audit and will address analysis of energy bills, how
to identify what is using the most energy, what the
thermal profile of the building is, what time of day
the bulk of the energy is being consumed and what
the phantom energy losses are.
Once energy conservation and the use of appropriate
energy sources have been implemented, the electrical
“load” will most likely be lights and small appliances
and will be between 5 and 10 kWh per day. This load
can be met with electricity from renewable energy
sources including, solar, wind, hydro, geothermal,
biomass etc. The one which can readily be installed
on domestic homes is solar, both electric (photovoltaic)
and thermal (solar water heating). This talk also
explains the pros and cons of different solar energy
systems and the development of industrial standards,
training and accreditation for such systems.
Key Points:
• The cheapest kWh is the one you don't
have to produce
• Energy conservation is the ‘low hanging
fruit” in relation to sustainability
• Solar energy systems, both electric
and hot water, are a reliable, safe and cost effective
way of providing energy services |
