My Project

Anna Sharp

OrientationOrientation• A well orientated house

has: north facing daytime and living areas; bedtime and utilities facing south; the long axis of the house running from east to west; large windows on the north side of the house to let the sun in in winter, and large, open lining areas.

• Our house is really well orientated, with everything mentioned earlier, so I wouldn’t really change anything.

• A well orientated house has: north facing daytime and living areas; bedtime and utilities facing south; the long axis of the house running from east to west; large windows on the north side of the house to let the sun in in winter, and large, open lining areas.

• Our house is really well orientated, with everything mentioned earlier, so I wouldn’t really change anything.

InsulationInsulation• Insulation is material that

reduces heat loss or gain through surfaces like ceilings, walls and floors, which reduces the need for air-conditioning and heaters.

• It comes in many different materials shapes and sizes.Our house is already insulated, but I would insulate the walls, and use better insulation, probably made of cellulose fibre (made from recycled newspapers), for the ceiling.

• Insulation is material that reduces heat loss or gain through surfaces like ceilings, walls and floors, which reduces the need for air-conditioning and heaters.

• It comes in many different materials shapes and sizes.Our house is already insulated, but I would insulate the walls, and use better insulation, probably made of cellulose fibre (made from recycled newspapers), for the ceiling.

Air-ConditionersAir-Conditioners

• There are three main types of A/C; refrigerative; geothermal; and evaporative.

• Ducted air-conditioners run through the whole house. The best ducted systems are zoned, which means you can control which areas of the house is air-conditioned.

• Our house uses ducted refrigerative A/C, but I would use geothermal instead, with a ceiling fan to circulate the air

• There are three main types of A/C; refrigerative; geothermal; and evaporative.

• Ducted air-conditioners run through the whole house. The best ducted systems are zoned, which means you can control which areas of the house is air-conditioned.

• Our house uses ducted refrigerative A/C, but I would use geothermal instead, with a ceiling fan to circulate the air

Ways to Reduce A/C Use

• A/C’s have star ratings, with more stars being more efficient

• The recommended wattage is 125W/m2

for living areas, and 80W/m2 for bedrooms

• Double or triple glazing windows and using blinds or curtains with pelmets reduces heat transfer

• Ceiling fans circulate the warm/cool air around the room

• Always set the A/C as high s possible, preferably more than 25C, as every degree lower add an additional 10-15%to the costs

Ways to Reduce A/C Use

• A/C’s have star ratings, with more stars being more efficient

• The recommended wattage is 125W/m2

for living areas, and 80W/m2 for bedrooms

• Double or triple glazing windows and using blinds or curtains with pelmets reduces heat transfer

• Ceiling fans circulate the warm/cool air around the room

• Always set the A/C as high s possible, preferably more than 25C, as every degree lower add an additional 10-15%to the costs

A/C TypesA/C Types

LightingLighting• I would use LED globes

because they are the most energy efficient

• I would also replace our halogen down lights with LED ones

• I would use LED globes because they are the most energy efficient

• I would also replace our halogen down lights with LED ones

Turning off lights you no

longer need is a great way to save

energy

• There are several different types of light bulbs; mainly incandescent globes, mains voltage halogens, low voltage halogens, Cell's (Compact Fluorescent Lamps), fluorescent tubes and LED’s (Light Emitting Diode)

• There are several different types of light bulbs; mainly incandescent globes, mains voltage halogens, low voltage halogens, Cell's (Compact Fluorescent Lamps), fluorescent tubes and LED’s (Light Emitting Diode)

Light BulbsLight Bulbs

Water HeatingWater Heating• Water heating accounts for

25% of household energy use• Water heating units are

best located as close as possible to bathrooms kitchens and laundries.

• Water heating accounts for 25% of household energy use

• Water heating units are best located as close as possible to bathrooms kitchens and laundries.

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I would install a solar powered heater because they have the least greenhouse gas emissions.Gas boosted solar heating emits less greenhouse gases than electric solar, so I would choose this option.

Cooking AppliancesCooking Appliances• Using microwaves instead of ovens is more energy

efficient, as microwaves use 75% less energy than ovens. Ovens also waste 90% of their energy.

• Using small appliances such as electric kettles, slow cookers, toasters, electric fry pans, pressure cookers and deep fryers saves energy, as they are smaller, and use less energy

We already have many of the above small appliances, but I would buy some electric kettles and fry pans.

• Using microwaves instead of ovens is more energy efficient, as microwaves use 75% less energy than ovens. Ovens also waste 90% of their energy.

• Using small appliances such as electric kettles, slow cookers, toasters, electric fry pans, pressure cookers and deep fryers saves energy, as they are smaller, and use less energy

We already have many of the above small appliances, but I would buy some electric kettles and fry pans.

Using small appliances instead of ovens and stovetops is more energy efficient.

Fridges and FreezersFridges and Freezers

Do’s Don’tsKeep in a cool, ventilated space, away from heat sources

Open doors too often or for too long

Leave space around the sides, top, and back for air circulation

Over-fill fresh food or freezer compartments

Regularly clean condenser coils Leave on when away for long periods

Check the door seals to prevent air leakage

Have the fridge at less than 3C or 5C

Defrost the freezer when more than 75mm of frost has built up

Have the freezer at less than -18C or more than -15C

I would leave more space around our fridge for air circulation

Home EntertainmentHome Entertainment• Rear-projection units

use less energy than CRT’s (Catho-Ray Tube), plasmas, or LCD’s.

• Laptops are designed to use less energy than desktops, so they can be away from a power unit for a long time.

• Rear-projection units use less energy than CRT’s (Catho-Ray Tube), plasmas, or LCD’s.

• Laptops are designed to use less energy than desktops, so they can be away from a power unit for a long time.

• I would use a rear-projection unit television set instead of our current television. We already have a laptop rather than a desktop computer.

• I would use a rear-projection unit television set instead of our current television. We already have a laptop rather than a desktop computer.

Turning electrical appliances off at the wall saves energy

T.V TypesT.V Types

StandbyStandbyAppliance Electricity

used if left on all year

Cost if left on all year

Cordless phone 3W $6.57

Computer monitor 5W $10.95

DVD player 8W $17.52

TV 10W $21.90

Total 26W $56.94

I would buy a standby controller, which turns electrical devices off automatically

WaterWater

Low-flow showers save 11L/minute

Dual flush toilets save 50% of water per flush

Install water efficient taps with aerators

Put food scraps in in a compost heap or worm farm

The dishwasher uses more water than the sink

Using a washing machine machine with a full load saves 10L/wash

Use the plug when washing hands

Rinse fruits and vegetables in a half full sink

Saving Water IndoorsSaving Water Indoors

Saving Water OutdoorsSaving Water Outdoors

A watering can uses 3% of the water of hose on for 30 minutes

Wash cars with buckets instead of a hose

Use native plants- they are adapted to Perth conditions and water

Use grey water from the bathroom to water the garden

Water plants early or late in the day

Using lawn clippings as mulch can reduce evaporation by up to 70%

Don’t cut the grass shorter than 2cm

Group plants with similar watering needs together

Use a drip irrigation system

Water the soil instead of the leaves Remove weeds

Don’t hose hard surfaces

Rooftop GardensRooftop Gardens• Rooftop gardens

insulate ceilings, reduce the operating temperature of solar panels and reduce the temperature of the building.

• As they transpire, the water cools air temperature. The cold air drops down the side of the building, cooling it.

• Rooftop gardens insulate ceilings, reduce the operating temperature of solar panels and reduce the temperature of the building.

• As they transpire, the water cools air temperature. The cold air drops down the side of the building, cooling it.

I would plant either vegetables and edible plants, or native shrubs. I would also plant a creeper where it can grow up a screen. Under the creeper I would have a sofa, or a hanging egg-shaped chair.

I would plant grass or grass-like plants around my solar panels, to reduce their operating temperature, without blocking the sun.

I would plant either vegetables and edible plants, or native shrubs. I would also plant a creeper where it can grow up a screen. Under the creeper I would have a sofa, or a hanging egg-shaped chair.

I would plant grass or grass-like plants around my solar panels, to reduce their operating temperature, without blocking the sun.

Plants + GardenPlants + Garden• I would plant…

• Native trees• Native shrubs• Fruit trees

• I would have in my garden…• A frog pond• Bird nesting boxes• Logs • Other habitat building

objects• A fountain• A compost heap or worm

farm• A ladder/staircase to

reach the rooftop garden

• I would plant…• Native trees• Native shrubs• Fruit trees

• I would have in my garden…• A frog pond• Bird nesting boxes• Logs • Other habitat building

objects• A fountain• A compost heap or worm

farm• A ladder/staircase to

reach the rooftop garden

CarsCars• Electric cars don’t emit

toxic gases into the air• They are very expensive

and hard to find• They use lots of

electricity, but I would have solar panels to produce the necessary power

• Hybrids use electricity and petrol motors to power a car

• They are cheaper and easier to find than electric cars

• Electric cars don’t emit toxic gases into the air

• They are very expensive and hard to find

• They use lots of electricity, but I would have solar panels to produce the necessary power

• Hybrids use electricity and petrol motors to power a car

• They are cheaper and easier to find than electric cars

• I would have either an electric car or a hybrid

• They would be powered by electricity from my solar panels

• I would have either an electric car or a hybrid

• They would be powered by electricity from my solar panels

Driving HabitsDriving Habits

Inflate tyres regularly

Tune engine regularly

Remove roof racks

Use the right motor oilReplace

clogged air filters

Get rid of excess weight

Change oil filters regularly

Be consistent and smooth with the accelerator and brake

Use cruise controlon a straight highway

If idle for more than thirty seconds, turn the engine off

Use high gears when possible

Avoid peak hour

Don’t slam the brakesUse high

quality fuel

Waste+Recycling Waste+Recycling • Compost heaps and worm farms

decompose food scraps, which can be used as compost for plants, and are a great way to reduce waste.

• We use an urban composter, which is pretty much a compost heap for using indoors. It is a great way to save space, and it has a lid so it doesn’t stink the house up, although when you open it to use on the garden, it really stinks, so that’s Dad’s job.

• I would have two or three of these, so we could have them on a constant rotation, with one being filled up, one decomposing, and maybe another one finishing decomposing/being used.

• Compost heaps and worm farms decompose food scraps, which can be used as compost for plants, and are a great way to reduce waste.

• We use an urban composter, which is pretty much a compost heap for using indoors. It is a great way to save space, and it has a lid so it doesn’t stink the house up, although when you open it to use on the garden, it really stinks, so that’s Dad’s job.

• I would have two or three of these, so we could have them on a constant rotation, with one being filled up, one decomposing, and maybe another one finishing decomposing/being used.

BibliographyBibliography• South Australian Government (2011) Water, energy and

environment - Government of South Australia 19/8/2012 http://www.sa.gov.au/subject/water%2C+energy+and+environment

• Government of South Australia (2011) Saving Water | Water for Good 20/8/2012 http://www.waterforgood.sa.gov.au/using-water/saving-water/

• Molloy, M. (2010) A Growing Trend G Magazine (Issue 24, January/February 2010) 42-46

• Thompson, J. (2010) Cool Change G Magazine (Issue 24, January/February 2010) 48-50

• Barry, C. (2010) Eco Challenge G Magazine (Issue 24, January/February 2010) 56-58

• Mason, P. (2008) Environmental Footprints: How Big is Your Water Footprint?, MacMillan Education Australia Pty Ltd

• South Australian Government (2011) Water, energy and environment - Government of South Australia 19/8/2012 http://www.sa.gov.au/subject/water%2C+energy+and+environment

• Government of South Australia (2011) Saving Water | Water for Good 20/8/2012 http://www.waterforgood.sa.gov.au/using-water/saving-water/

• Molloy, M. (2010) A Growing Trend G Magazine (Issue 24, January/February 2010) 42-46

• Thompson, J. (2010) Cool Change G Magazine (Issue 24, January/February 2010) 48-50

• Barry, C. (2010) Eco Challenge G Magazine (Issue 24, January/February 2010) 56-58

• Mason, P. (2008) Environmental Footprints: How Big is Your Water Footprint?, MacMillan Education Australia Pty Ltd