Energy Efficiency In The Home

An informative discussion on energy efficiency in the home, was aired on the ABC's Radio National Breakfast program, on Thursday 14th July.

This discussion explains simple ideas on how to save hundreds of dollars off the home's annual electricity bill.

Quoting from their website, "The Labor government said almost 6 million Australians will be marginally better off, or fully compensated, under its carbon tax."

"The opposition, as you might expect, disagrees, suggesting the tax is an attack on 'aspirational Australians'. They've also highlighted a number of case studies where middle income families will have to pay more."

"So, what do you need to do to recoup the cost of a carbon tax on your household? And what's the easiest way to more energy efficient?"

Listen to the discussion by visiting Radio National's Breakfast webpage.

This blog post and podcast brought to you by Aussie Home Energy, a major player in the HOME ELECTRICITY REDUCTION SERVICE industry in Australia.

Carbon Tax & CO2 Emission NEWS Australia RSS Feed

How will Labor's recently introduced carbon tax affect you?

Are you worried about the possibility of, future rising electricity costs?

Keep in touch with the latest Australian Carbon Tax & CO2 Emmision News, by following our RSS News feed.
Subscribe to the feed via RSS reader or email and stay informed.

Remember the best carbon tax offset for any Aussie householder, which reduces the effects of any electricity cost hike, is to make sure you're using the least amount of electricity in the first place! Are you using your electricity efficiently at this time? Reducing the following may help you in the long term.

• Standby electrical waste.
• Energy inefficient appliances.
• Excessive hot water use.

Aussie Home Energy is here to help all Australians with the task of home electricity reduction, by offering information, services and products.

Energy Efficiency Versus Energy Used : The Big Debate

Does Increased Energy Efficiency Mean Less Energy Used?

Many Australians are led to believe that modern energy efficient appliances, use less energy than older supposedly non-efficient ones. With all the talk about increased energy efficiency and energy stars, it is easy to understand why this is so.

It is further easy to understand why the average householder would not question these beliefs, when we are being told this by governments, manufacturers and marketeers.

Are we really be told the full truth though? Is the average Australian making the correct choice and taking home an appliance that will 100% of the time, use less energy than the appliance they threw out?

Would a bit more information allow for a better educated choice? Could this additional insight question some of these beliefs? Beliefs that are based on information from governments, manufacturers and marketeers. Parties who want us to buy their products?

At Aussie Home Energy we would argue, that it is not a good assumption to believe that for 100% of the time, newer appliances use less energy than older appliances!

We would say there is more knowledge that a buyer needs to understand, before being able to make a well educated choice?

The problem is, most people have been led to believe energy efficiency means less energy used. This is not always the case though and Australians need to be aware of this.

Most of us appear to have been brainwashed, into believing the buying of a modern appliance, means it's almost a 100% guarantee less energy is going to be used.

At Aussie Home Energy we are going to show you, that this is not always the case.  We are going to show you an existing operational, 'old school' 1950's Pope Power-Pak fridge, indeed uses less energy than it's modern 250L equivalent.

You would be correct into maybe thinking the 60 year old Pope Power-Pak fridge, would be using more energy because it has:

• An old style compressor.
• Old decaying or a lack of insulation.
• Inefficient or reduced refrigerant.
• Old decaying door seals.
• Old style energy hungry technology.
• High energy use by design.

What we have found out though, is quite the opposite. That this old appliance is using far less energy, than it's modern equivalent of comparable size!

So why is this? Well this simple refrigeration appliance, consists of nothing more than a compressor and a light. Built before the days of multiple additional components. And it is the simplicity [less components] of the appliance here, that is keeping the total energy used at a low, even though the components may not be the most efficient.

Specifications of the 250L Pope Power-Pak fridge are, that it has an ampere rating of 1.85 Amps and is connected to an averaged voltage of 245 volts. The home electricity monitors used during testing, were of the type measuring voltage and current, to compute the total energy used by the appliance.

The test results showed the Pope Power-Pak had a monthly operational cost of approximately $2.85 during the winter and $3.10 during the summer. The electricity tariff was 22.12 cents per kWh, with the Pope averaging 14.01 kWh per month. Annual forecast operational costs were $37.19 per year / 168 kWh per year.

Now what is amazing here, is that if you go shopping in the energy efficient fridge section of your local electrical store, shopping for the same running costs per year, all you can find is a non-comparable bar fridge!

So what is going on here, we here some of you ask? Let us explain.

Firstly to double prove our results, we ran the tests twice with two different brands of home electricity monitor. The results were almost identical taking into account the different brands of monitor, slight changes to appliance usage patterns and seasonal changes. The results had less than 5% difference.

Secondly let us look at a modern fridge, an appliance that over the years has had a lot of extra components added to keep the modern family happy. All of these modern components working efficiently in their own right, but totally adding to the overall appliance's energy consumption.

And what are these additional components, added to the modern fridge? Well there are:

• Electric fans to circulate cold air and assist defrost cycles.
• Additional lights, as in the freezer.
• Defrosting heaters.
• Heaters for specialised zones, for example a butter conditioner.
• Anti-sweat heaters, to prevent condensation at the edges of cabinet doors.
• Electronics for monitoring the device.
• And finally those two original components, the compressor and fridge light.

We are sure there are a lot of Aussie householders, who are not aware of what all these extra components are, thinking a fridge is still a fridge, with just an additional de-frost cycle.

If we all knew what was being added to the modern fridge, then we would be in a position to choose more wisely. A choice between modern fridge with it's added components and raised energy use, compared to those of us who simply want 'Just A Fridge'!

As you can see, it is not hard to understand why the modern appliance with all of it's energy efficient components when bundled together, can result in increased energy use!

So make sure you do your homework on energy efficiency and energy used before shopping for any new appliance. What you need to do before buying any new electrical appliance is to:

• Compare features and components, as these often increase energy used.
• Understand the 'kWh' box on the appliances energy label, as this tells you what the costs per year are.

With this information you will be allowing yourself to make a better educated choice when choosing your next new appliance?

We would love to know what you think about energy efficiency versus energy used. Please leave your stories here on this blog post.

This blog post and podcast brought to you by Aussie Home Energy, a major player in the HOME ELECTRICITY REDUCTION SERVICE industry in Australia.

LED Downlight In-Home Display Briefcase

Like so many homes on the NSW Mid North Coast, you may not be using your 50 watt halogen downlights, due to high and rising electricity costs. The time is now though to take a look at recent new developments in LED lighting. A low wattage form of lighting, that costs little to run and is a direct replacement for your 50 watt halogen globes.

Aussie Home Energy is now able to show you the latest form of LED downlights, helping you to see the different available shades of white LED light and brightness, within your home environment.

By using our LED Downlight Briefcase you'll be able to see how LED lighting can not only supply the equivalent light of a 50 watt halogen, but is also dimmable and generates minimum heat.

LED lights can cost less than 5 - 20% of the cost of a 50 watt halogen downlight. Now is the time to re-use those light fittings, that are so much part of your homes decor.

Our LED In-Home Service is offered to homes between Coffs Harbour and Sydney as part of our Home Electricity Audit Service.

This blog post and podcast brought to you by Aussie Home Energy, a major player in the HOME ELECTRICITY REDUCTION SERVICE industry in Australia.

Remote Control Dimmable Colour Changing LED Downlights

Well that is quite a mouthful, when compared to 'halogen downlights'. With halogen downlights being so popular in Australia, we thought it a good idea to introduce some of you, to the new LED LIGHTING. This form of technology is now able to replace most lights, in the Aussie home. What we will quickly discuss here, is the LED light as a form of halogen replacement.

Can LEDs Be Dimmed?

Yes they can but not with a standard incandescent dimmer. You will need an electronic dimmer. There are at least three ways a dimmer can be installed, into an LED downlighting system.

• Similar to an incandescent system, where there is a wall fitted dimmer control.
• Where the dimmer control is remote activated and sited in the roof cavity.
• The LED light comes with the dimmer built into the globe and is remotely controlled.

Dimmers can be wired to dim a single LED downlight, or a large array.

Do LEDs Come In More Than One Colour?

Firstly we will cover the shades of white that a LED can come in. Unlike incandescent light globes, that were always warm white, the LED can come in warm or cool white, or just white. In fact LEDs can come in any colour. A new exciting feature of LED lighting is, colour changing. Illustrated above is a 3 watt MR16 12 volt halogen replacement. Whilst only 3 watts, it would not be the best choice to read under, but can be used to change the mood of any room. The remote control, offering colour changing sequences, fixed colours and dimming.

Can I Just Install The LED Halogen Replacements?

Whilst you may be able to get the LED to trigger if you did, there are somethings you need to be aware of:

• Some transformers may damage the LED halogen replacement.
• You may need to install specifically designed LED light transformers.
• Your old transformer is designed to trigger under high wattage. LED's are low wattage.
• The LEDs will not dim with existing incandescent or halogen dimmers.

It is important to be aware of the above, as damage to the new LED lighting could occur. We would suggest you speak to your local light shop about your existing installation, regarding the suitability of transformers and dimmers.


For more information on our LED downlight investigation, see our LED DOWNLIGHT COMPARISON TESTS.

We will be reporting on other forms of LED lighting for Aussie homes soon. Subscribe to the Aussie Home Energy blog, to stay informed.

This blog post and podcast brought to you by Aussie Home Energy, a major player in the HOME ELECTRICITY REDUCTION SERVICE industry in Australia.

Why Do Home Energy Monitors Maximise Electricity Savings?

Studies by energy providers, monitor manufacturers and independent parties on home energy reduction, have proven a householders ability to stay on top of home electricity costs, is made a lot easier when immediate feedback on home electricity usage, is supplied on an easy to read in-home display.

These studies showing that homes now have the ability, to save as much as 15% to 20% or more, off their electricity usages costs, when a home electricity monitor is installed!

Without this 24/7 feedback, householders often slip back into old habits, or tend to assume they can do no more, in their attempts to bring the home electricity bill back under control.

With no feedback on electricity usage in the home, it's difficult to see what savings are going to be made during any home energy reduction attempts, until the next electricity bill arrives! Of course by then it is too late and if the changes saved you little, it has in fact cost you dearly.

With a 24/7 home electricity monitor installed in your home, there's always going to be the possibility, for future electricity reductions via your increased awareness, or via input from others. A home energy reduction system that easily proves all suggestions in real-time.

Feedback from our home electricity monitor clients, is constantly reporting of newly found savings. These savings further educating the householder on home electricity usage and costs, creating the desire for more savings to be discovered.

Which is what we at Aussie Home Energy, would say helps us greatly in our quest to help as many Australians homes, become aware and educated on home electricity costs.

January 2018 : Current Cost home energy monitor users please note MyCurrentCost dashboard was retired 15th January. This alternative free real-time dashboard is a great alternative HOME ENERGY MONITOR dashboard solution, with auto upload support for PVOutput ie solar.

This blog post and podcast brought to you by Aussie Home Energy, a major player in the HOME ELECTRICITY REDUCTION SERVICE industry in Australia.

Waterproofing Your Home Energy Monitor's Transmitter

So Why Would You Want To Waterproof Your Home Electricity Monitor's Transmitter?

Well when you're looking at monitoring electricity generated by your Solar PV, you may be faced with the problem of having to site your home electricity monitor's transmitter, out in the weather. Knowing at the same time, the transmitter is not waterproof!

So What Can You Do To Waterproof Your Transmitter?

Well a common solution is to wrap the transmitter in plastic bags and tape. The only problem being here, is this solution could be very temporary for many reasons, resulting in a damaged transmitter.

We have found a simple solution, that eliminates those plastic bags and at the same time provides a 100% waterproof solution. The transmitter is placed inside it's own waterproof plastic box. Such a box is available from Jaycar Electronics and is suitable for both the Current Cost ENVI & ENVIR Home Electricity Monitor's transmitters. The Jaycar Electronic's part number being HB6402, costing AUD $19.95. The box comes with a waterproof seal in the lid and strong clips to keep it tightly closed.

With a little invention it would not be too hard, to drill a hole in either side of the box and during any solar PV installation, pass the cable from the solar array through the box. This would allow for the current clamp to be inside the box as well. If you decide to look into this option, you may need to choose a larger box.

Whilst working with the idea of waterproofing the Current Cost transmitter, we noticed that our test transmitter's range was considerably extended, whilst outside of  the metal powerbox. In fact we extended the range of the transmitter [by line of sight] to over it's maximum of 100 metres.

After considerable testing of the Current Cost's transmitter's range, whilst in the metal clad powerbox, we found the range to be around 32 metres. Once outside of the powerbox and in the plastic box, the range was extended by a staggering 82 metres to a total of 112 metres. We noted the stronger signal allowed us to monitor the electricity usage, at areas inside and out of the home, where previously we had no signal.

Our tests were run twice with a portable battery supply powering the monitor. This allowing for very accurate signal patterns to be created around the home at six second intervals. This interval being the transmitter's transmit sequence.

What we ended up doing after this finding, was to install the transmitter permanently outside of the metal powerbox. We aligned the holes both in the back of the plastic box with those on top of the powerbox. The holes between the two, being sealed with a plastic ferule and locknut and added sealant.

If your powerbox is open to the elements, then a decision to mount the plastic box on the top, side or bottom of the powerbox will have to be made. One that provides the best waterproof solution.

So for only $20 you now have a waterproof solution to monitoring your alternative energy source and keeping your home energy monitor's transmitter range to it's maximum.

Further information on the home electricity monitors capabilities can be found on our website Aussie Home Energy.