Did you know around 70% of Australia’s 11 million existing homes were built before minimum energy-efficiency standards were introduced?
That’s not even surprising. The shocking bit is that the estimated average energy rating of these homes is below 3 stars out of 10.
That does not mean 70% of Australian homes waste the same amount of energy, or that a 3-star home automatically has high electricity bills. But it does show how much room there is to improve the energy performance of Australia’s existing housing stock.
If your home falls into this category, you may want to know how to make your home more energy efficient without spending thousands of dollars on upgrades.
Fortunately, you don’t have to start with a major renovation or replace everything in your home. There are plenty of practical improvements you can make, from simple changes that cost little or nothing to larger upgrades that make sense when something in your home needs replacing.
Here are the 10 most useful ways to make your home more energy efficient:
Our other related guide you may find useful: What Is a Home Energy Audit and Why Is It Essential for Australian Homes?
Improve Your Insulation
If your home heats up quickly in summer and loses warmth just as quickly in winter, the problem may not be your heater or air conditioner. Your home may simply be losing too much of the temperature you are trying to create.
That is where insulation helps. It slows the movement of heat through the roof, walls and floors, helping your home stay comfortable for longer. The Australian Government says appropriate insulation could save more than 50% on heating and cooling costs.
So if you live in an older home, check the existing insulation. Start with the ceiling, walls and floors, and look for insulation that is missing, damaged, compressed or uneven. Then improve these areas to help your home hold its temperature for longer.
Seal Draughts and Air Leaks
If your home is well insulated but still gets cold in winter or hot in summer, the next thing to check is where air is getting in and out. Draughts can make your heating and cooling system work harder because the air you are paying to heat or cool keeps escaping.
That is why sealing gaps can make such a difference. The Australian Government says draught proofing can reduce heat loss by 15% to 25%.
So check around doors, windows, skirting boards and other obvious gaps. Then use weather seals, draught stoppers or suitable sealants to close them up. Just make sure you do not block required ventilation, particularly if you have a flueless or open-flue gas heater that needs adequate airflow for safe operation.
Use Windows and Shading to Control Heat
Your windows do more than let natural light into your home. They can also be a major source of unwanted heat gain and heat loss, with almost 90% of a home’s heat gained through its windows and up to 40% of heating energy lost through them.
The way you manage them can therefore have a noticeable effect on indoor comfort. During summer, close curtains and blinds when the sun is hitting the glass, particularly on windows facing north and west. When winter arrives, open them during sunny periods to let natural warmth into the room, then close them as the temperature drops.
You may also use external awnings, pergolas and suitable plants as they can all provide another layer of protection by stopping direct sunlight from reaching the windows in the first place.
Make Heating and Cooling More Efficient
Heating and cooling can account for 20% to 50% of the energy used in Australian homes, depending on the climate. That makes your air conditioner or heater one of the biggest places to look when trying to improve energy efficiency.
In winter, keep your heating around 18°C to 20°C, while 25°C to 27°C is a good range for summer cooling. The Australian Government says every extra degree can increase energy use by around 5% to 10%, so even a small change to your thermostat can reduce unnecessary energy use.
Next, close doors to rooms you are not using, clean your air conditioner filters regularly, and switch the system off when you leave home. Together, these simple changes can reduce how hard your system needs to work to keep your home comfortable.
Improve Hot Water Efficiency
Hot water is one of the biggest energy users in an Australian home. In fact, water heating accounts for around 15% to 30% of household energy use, depending on the home and location.
So if you want to make your home more energy efficient, your hot water system is a good place to look.
Start with the simple things. Take shorter showers, wash clothes in cold water where suitable, and avoid running the dishwasher until it is full. You can also install a water-efficient showerhead, which reduces the amount of water your hot water system needs to heat.
If your hot water system is old and needs replacing, you could upgrade to a solar water heater or heat pump and save up to 70% on water heating.
Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances
Appliances can account for around 30% of energy use in an Australian home, so choosing efficient models can make a noticeable difference over time.
You don’t need to replace appliances that are still working well. Instead, when something needs replacing, compare the Energy Rating Label and look at both the star rating and estimated annual energy use. The more stars an appliance has, the more efficient it is compared with similar models.
Also choose the right size for your needs. A larger appliance can use more energy, even when it has a good efficiency rating.
Switch to LED Lighting
If you are still using traditional or halogen lights around your home, upgrading to LEDs is a simple way to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
LEDs can use around 80% less energy than older-style bulbs and can last 5 to 10 times longer, so you can reduce both the electricity used for lighting and how often you need to replace bulbs.
You don’t have to replace every light at once. Start with the lights you use most often, such as those in the kitchen, living room and outdoor areas, and gradually switch the rest as your existing bulbs need replacing.
And remember, using less energy isn’t only about the type of bulb you have. Make the most of natural light during the day and switch lights off when you leave a room.
Use Energy-Hungry Appliances More Efficiently
You don’t always need to replace an appliance to reduce the energy it uses. Sometimes, changing how you use it can make a difference.
For example, run your washing machine and dishwasher with full loads and use their eco settings where suitable. Washing clothes in cold water can also reduce energy use because heating the water takes much more energy.
If you use a clothes dryer, try to dry clothes on a line or rack first and use the dryer only when necessary. When you do use it, clean the lint filter and avoid running partial loads.
You can also avoid adding unnecessary heat to your home. For example, on hot days, consider running heat-producing appliances, particularly the oven, outside the hottest part of the day where practical. This can help avoid adding unnecessary heat to your home when you are trying to keep it cool.
Cut Unnecessary Electricity and Standby Power
Even when you are not actively using them, some appliances can continue drawing electricity in standby mode. The Australian Government estimates standby power can account for up to 3% of household energy use and cost up to $100 a year.
So, when you are finished using your TV, computer, gaming console or other electronics, switch them off at the wall rather than leaving them on standby. You can also use a smart power board to make this easier.
You don’t need to unplug appliances that need to stay on, such as your fridge or essential medical equipment. And if you have solar, consider running appliances such as your washing machine or dishwasher during the day to make better use of the electricity your panels are generating.
Make Better Use of Solar and Battery Storage
If you have solar panels, you can make your home more energy efficient by using more of the electricity they generate yourself. Try running appliances such as your washing machine, dishwasher or pool pump during the day when your solar system is producing electricity.
A battery can take this a step further by storing excess solar energy for use later, such as in the evening when your panels are no longer generating electricity. This can reduce how much electricity you need to buy from the grid.
But a battery is not automatically the right choice for every home. Before investing in one, look at your electricity use, how much solar energy you generate and when you use the most electricity. The Australian Government recommends considering whether the potential savings justify the upfront cost.
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with the simple changes you can make today, then work towards bigger improvements when the time is right.
But don’t wait until your next electricity bill — start with one change now. Seal a draught, switch to LEDs, use your appliances more efficiently, or look at that aging hot water system. All the small improvements will soon add up and help you use less energy, lower your bills, and make your home more comfortable.
