5 hot tips to improve your home’s energy efficiency
Looking to find a balance between comfort and efficiency? Big Ass Fans is giving you all the best tips and tricks to prep for the heat (and reduce your energy bill) this summer.
New homeowners and renovators are constantly searching for comfortable solutions that don’t break the bank. And as the cost of living continues to rise, it is growing more difficult to find affordable solutions that help reduce energy consumption without excessive upfront costs.
Lighting
In many Australian homes, lighting alone can be responsible for more than 10 per cent of your energy consumption. An affordable and efficient solution to cutting energy costs is switching to LED. LEDs use approximately 75 per cent less energy than traditional halogen and incandescent light bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. So, not only will your lights shine brighter for longer, you can also cut down long-term costs with the flick of a switch.
Another way to maximise your lighting efficiency is by installing dimmers and sensors, allowing more control over usage. Installing dimmers can help reduce costs while improving the overall ambience of your space. Haiku by Big Ass Fans with optional LED Light Kit is available in a down or uplight variation, with multiple temperature and colour options.
Natural ventilation
With something as simple as opening a window, you can help reduce energy consumption while also improving the overall air quality of your home. Since 2022, the National Construction Code (NCC) requires all rooms to have either natural or mechanical ventilation, stating that rooms within climate zones 1-3 need to have a minimum ventilation opening of 10 per cent in order to be deemed inhabitable.
Natural ventilation methods such as windows can be used to optimise the overall comfort and airflow quality of your home, as well as saving a significant sum of money on air-conditioning expenses.
When designing your dwelling, windows can often be overlooked for fear of disrupting the overall flow. However, they can be utilised to create a more open look and feel. With indoor/outdoor living growing in popularity, allowing for natural ventilation can boost your home’s comfort level throughout the year and minimise the excessive use of traditional cooling and heating systems.
Insulation and ventilation
Incorporating appropriate insulation and ventilation can give you a large jump in your energy assessment rating, while allowing for maximum comfort all year round. Often underestimated, properly insulating your ceilings can prevent the heat from escaping in winter and keep the cool air in during summer. As such, ceiling insulation often pays for itself in temperature control savings. Following on from natural ventilation systems, incorporating features such as quality ceiling fans can help maintain sufficient airflow throughout your home and reduce your reliance on expensive air-conditioning.
Positioning and planning
Throughout the conception and design period, focusing on the orientation and common areas can help influence the temperature of your home throughout the seasons. For example, prioritising north-facing glazing in common areas can help block the sun in warmer months and maximise sun exposure in winter.
Some of our favourite tips for futureproofing are:
- Consider creating multi-functional spaces over more traditional and solely dedicated rooms. This allows for energy usage to be confined to highly occupied spaces
- Plan to shut off rooms that have lower use and occupancy throughout the day, so when in use, air-conditioning will be more effective
- Incorporate external shade devices and internal window coverings
- Draft seal your home to prevent air-conditioned air from leaving your space. A great trick is to purchase window-sealing tape, which is easy to install and retails for approximately $2 per metre
- Analyse your climate in order to integrate passive design principles
Ceiling Fans – Install a feature that’s practical
Installing ceiling fans can help you stay cool in summer, as well as provide a proactive cooling solution that can significantly shrink your energy consumption. The residential range by Big Ass Fans is designed to adapt to your environment.
These fans are integrated with smart home automation and temperature control, allowing for optimal functionality. Compatible with energy-efficient LED lights, these fans can cut down on costs without compromising on comfort and design.
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