Heating Tips for an Energy Efficient Home
Forget “Winter is coming,” the colder months have well and truly arrived in Australia with some of the coolest temperatures in years.
The team at Prime Building Projects have been experiencing the cold snap too and realise that one of the biggest concerns facing home owners is how to heat their home without racking up a massive energy bill at the end of Winter.
We have considered the options and agreed upon these five best heating options for an energy efficient home!
1. Install a Solar System
As Australian’s we are lucky enough to live in one of the most sunny places all year round, even in the cooler months of Winter you can expect ample days of sunshine. As such, a solar hot water system is THE best way to ensure your home’s energy is efficient and keep energy costs to a minimum.
A solar system is installed on your roof, to allow maximum opportunity to catch the sun’s rays throughout the day and heat your water. Prime Building Projects recommends installing one of the following two options;
- Evacuated Tube Solar System; extremely reliable and does not necessarily require direct sunlight as the internal vacuum heats within glass tubes
- Flat Panel Solar System; a popular option among homeowners, utilises copper pipes in a glass panel joined to a water tank to best absorb UV rays.
Installing a solar system is a long term investment that we guarantee will save you money over the years. Research indicates a 75% reduction in heating costs when using a solar system. You can’t argue with that!
2. Try a Heat Pump
A heat pump hot water system is powered by electricity and works by sucking the outside air in and using that to heat the water within the pump, working best when the outside air is warmer. Therefore it is most ideal in warm climates, like that of Australia.
You will find a heat pump to present up to three times the effectiveness of the standard electric hot water system your home may have come with.
3. Gas Hot Water System
Drawing from natural or liquefied petroleum gas a gas hot water system and is initially cheaper than other heating options such as a solar system. It is important to do your research before implementing a gas hot water system, as natural gas connects through a piped system and liquefied petroleum gas is purchased in bottles that you will need to order to your home.
An instantaneous system is the best option as it only heats water as you use it, suiting small and energy efficient families. Comparatively a storage system heats water in a tank and as a result is ready to go 24/7 and suits large households regularly using hot water.
4. Electric Hot Water Systems
Similar to the gas hot water system you can choose from storage or instant systems but we strongly recommend using a storage system as the most energy efficient option . An electric hot water system will typically store your water at an average constant temperature of 70 degrees and refills with cold water once this has been used up, using electricity to heat the fresh water.
5. Be Energy Smart
Not necessarily a “heating option” but essential nonetheless to upholding an energy efficient home. At Prime Building Projects we recommend an insulated roof as a massive help in avoiding lost heat. When the heating is on, try and close most doors and obviously keep windows closed. Close-fitting curtains have been proven to reduce heat loss by 40%.
In conclusion, we appreciate the need for warmer homes and energy efficiency for Australian families. These five heating options and tips will allow you to have a warm and cozy home without breaking the bank! Keep these options in mind when you are next updating your heating.
Further Reading:
- Energy Efficient New Home Builders
- Builder Mornington Peninsula
- Guide to Soil Types for New Homes
- Why Builders ask about My Budget