Urban Ecology Australia's Energy Auditing Service
Margaret Rohde, February 2004
Showers lasting 35 minutes, a fridge in a teenager's bedroom, electric clothes dryers in daily use through summer and air conditioners running 24 hours a day all year are just a few features of household energy use in Adelaide.
As an energy auditor for UEA, the challenge has been to help people understand how their lifestyle affects their electricity bills, as clearly the two are not obviously connected. Getting a bill once every three months means the actions that resulted in the charges are long forgotten.
With the assistance of a power metering device (part of our Energy Friends auditing kit) it has been possible to show people how much a particular appliance is using and how much it is costing. However, once people see where the costs are coming from there is still the mental barrier of taking those practical steps for which they will not see results until the next bill!
In today's world of instant gratification it would be helpful if householders could instantly call up a one-stop shop who would come and quote for installing the draught proofing around the doors, the insulating curtains, the outside blinds, the low flow shower head etc etc!
These are just some of the small steps that should be taken before getting quotes for photovoltaic panels as the daily amount of power required would be drastically reduced. If anyone is contemplating installing PVs we recommend getting advice on home energy efficiency or having a home energy audit first.
The SA Government has recently allocated funds for several welfare groups to run an Energy Efficiency Program for Low-income households. The program will allow 10,000 low income or disadvantaged households to have an energy audit of their homes, which will demonstrate how they are using energy and how they can make small changes which will reduce their energy use and bills. There will also be assistance with retrofits such as installing low-flow showerheads, compact fluorescent globes or putting up blinds, and an incentive scheme for replacing old fridges and freezers.
Another government initiative, the Solar Schools Program is proposing to put photovoltaic panels on 100 SA schools with associated student education and learning materials.
Perhaps eventually there will be an energy efficiency program for high income households and businesses.
2007.2.8