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The 12 key areas of an energy efficient home

Energy efficiency is all about using less energy to maintain a comfortable home. This means using less power for things like heating and cooling, heating water, lighting and appliances.

To do this, it’s important to look across the entire home. From the appliances that use energy directly, to building materials, structure and even behavioural changes you can make to reduce energy waste.

Below are 12 of the key areas of the home to look at when assessing the energy efficiency of your home.

1. Insulation

Insulation slows down the transfer of heat by creating a barrier between the inside and outside of your home. The better your insulation, the less you need to rely on heating and cooling to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

2. Windows

Efficient windows, often referred to as energy-efficient windows or insulated windows, help maintain stable indoor temperatures and year-round comfort. They do this by minimising heat transfer between the interior and exterior of your home, reducing the need for heating in winter and cooling in summer.

3. Heating & cooling

Split systems (including reverse cycle air conditioners) are the most efficient and reliable way to heat and cool your home year-round. They work by transferring heat between indoor and outdoor environments. Plus, they are cheaper to run, which saves you money.

4. Cooking

Switching from gas burners to electric cooktops, particularly induction cooktops, can reduce your energy use in the kitchen. Induction cooktops are safer, easier to clean and can cook faster.

5. Water saving

There are many ways to reduce water use in the home, often without much effort, saving you money while helping to conserve this precious resource. From efficient fixtures throughout the house and garden to mindful habits, these practices are easy to adopt.

6. Solar power

Solar panels, or solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, convert free, clean sunshine into electricity to power your home. This reduces your energy bills while reducing your carbon footprint too. With quality panels lasting at least 25 years, the savings and environmental benefits can really add up over time.

7. Draught proofing

Draught proofing is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to make your home more efficient. By sealing gaps and cracks, you can prevent cold draughts from getting in during winter, then during summer, you can keep hot air out and air-conditioned air in.

8. Home batteries

A home battery is a storage device that allows you to save excess electricity generated by your solar panels. This stored energy can then be used later when the sun isn’t shining or there are blackouts. Batteries are a great way to further reduce your energy bills and minimise your greenhouse emissions.

9. Hot water systems

Electric hot water systems have taken a leap forward with heat pump technology. Instead of using energy to generate new heat, heat pumps extract heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to the water. This dramatically reduces your hot water running costs.

10. Lighting

Energy-efficient lighting, driven by LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs, has revolutionised the way we illuminate our spaces. These lighting options not only enhance visibility, but they also use less energy and last longer. This means you save money on energy and reduce your environmental impact.

11. Cleaner energy

Cleaner energy comes from renewable resources that never run out, like solar, wind or hydro power. These resources create little to no greenhouse gas emissions and are therefore better for the environment. You can contribute to a cleaner energy future by choosing an electricity plan that offsets carbon emissions.

12. Electric vehicles

Electric vehicles have redefined the way we travel. From all-electric cars to plug-in hybrids, these vehicles can be maintained at a lower cost, and they offer a cleaner and more efficient alternative to conventional petrol and diesel powered cars.