What are some ways to increase energy efficiency?

Focus on insulation

The outside envelop of your building should be designed to lower heating and cooling needs. Your insulation should make your building as airtight as possible.

In new buildings, this can be achieved by using high-performance insulation and non-traditional wall systems that offer additional insulation. Replacing doors and windows to avoid air leaks in existing buildings can be a great investment.

Choose the right ventilation system

Because your building will be as airtight as you can possibly make it, you will want to use a ventilation system to maintain good air quality and prevent the buildup of moisture.

Heat recovery ventilators are systems that use the outgoing air from your building to heat incoming air. In the summer, air from your building can cool air coming from outside.

Buy certified equipment

Keep your eye on the market for high-performance, energy-efficient systems and equipment. Energy Star certified products, for example, will tend to be in the top 15 to 30% of their class for energy performance.

An Energy Star certified computer, for example, will use 30% to 65% less energy than a typical non-certified model, depending on its use. These products evolve quickly, so it's important to stay informed about new developments.

Use LED lights

Upgrading to LED lighting can help you reduce your energy use by 75% compared to incandescent lighting.

You can also use sensors in infrequently used spaces such as conference rooms and restrooms to cut down on energy use.

Consider upgrading to LEED

Many buildings in Canada are now being built or retrofitted to the green standard known as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). It aims to improve the sustainability of buildings in such areas as site planning, water efficiency, energy use, materials selection, indoor air quality and design features.

LEED buildings typically cost about 2% more to build than conventional buildings, but improved energy and water efficiency and a higher occupancy rate means that this additional cost is typically recouped in just a few years.

Calculate your return on investment

Despite substantial up-front costs, energy efficiency investments are among the surest outlays you can make.

Retrofitting a building for example can generate energy savings of 5 to 15% and typically pay for itself in less than three years, according to Natural Resources Canada.

This is on top of support provided by the government and local utilities. A list of all grants and financial incentives for energy efficiency by province is available on the Natural Resources Canada website.

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David Toscano

Posted September 15, 2022

Energy bills are top of mind for Australian homeowners and renters. Here’s how to make simple lifestyle changes and cost-effective home investments to improve your energy efficiency and transition to a cleaner energy future.

New ways of living and working in the wake of the pandemic mean that Australians are spending more time at home – and it’s being felt in rising energy bills. While the worst of the winter cold might be over and workers return to offices, household cooling costs will increase as the mercury rises over the coming months.

“The great news is that you can make a big difference to your energy usage and efficiency in the home without spending a cent,” explains RACV Executive General Manager - Home and Energy Nicole Brasz. “Heating and cooling accounts for 40 per cent of energy consumption in the home. In addition to doing simple things like closing the curtains and sealing up draughts for example, you can also think about reducing the temperature of your heating and cooling by one degree, which can make a difference.”

Learn how to make your home more energy efficient.

In winter, it can be all too tempting to crank the heater an extra degree, while the reverse applies during the warmer months where some households run air conditioning systems too cold. Thankfully, there are ways to stay warm without dialling up the thermostat, while properly insulated homes can halve their power bills compared to homes without insulation.

More households are also choosing to replace inefficient halogen lightbulbs with LED lighting, while others are making informed decisions around energy-efficient home appliances by taking into account energy ratings. Even aspiring MasterChefs are switching from traditional gas cooktops to induction cooktops.

Households are also embracing rooftop solar and batteries in greater numbers. In fact, Australia now has the highest per-capita uptake of residential rooftop solar power in the world, with more than 1 in 4 Australian houses now experiencing the benefits of renewable solar power to run everything from heating and cooling to electric vehicles.

  “While some of these investments in energy efficiency do require an upfront cost, there are options available to reduce help reduce those costs,” Brasz says. “In Victoria for example, you can get rebates to help you with solar and your battery, and upgrade your hot water system. You can also access green loans to help finance these initiatives.”

10 cost-effective ways to reduce your energy consumption and bills

• Turn down the thermostat 1-2 degrees
• Invest in LED lighting to replace halogen bulbs
• Identify and eliminate hidden energy hogs
• Service your heater regularly
• Service your air conditioner regularly
• Insulate and draught proof your home
• Invest in rooftop solar energy and battery storage
• Invest in heat pump hot water
• Switch from a gas cooktop to an electric or induction cooktop
• Invest in smart devices around the home

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