SUNSTAK ENERGY EFFICIENCY ASSESSMENT Contact SunStak Energy efficiency assessment You should allow about 2 hours to complete this form. Please complete the following survey and read the associated information to receive the best benefit from the assessment. If you are unsure or any section does not apply to your home, please skip that section. SunStak will provide a copy of the form along with some other materials to the provided email once you have completed and submitted the form. Ensure you have the following items before starting: 1. Stopwatch 2. Thermometer 3. A bucket 4. A compass (not essential) Name * First Name Last Name Email * Part 1. Water heating, showers, baths and taps You will need a stopwatch and a bucket to complete this section. Most smart phones will have a stopwatch. Turn the cold tap on full and let it flow in a bucket for 10 seconds. Measure the amount of water in litres. Multiply the number by six to calculate the flow rate in litres per minute. Activity 1A - What is your shower's flow rate? Install WELS rates showerheads. They use 9 litres per minute or less. Three-star rated tap aerators can also be used to reduce flow rates in taps. 15 litres per minute or more [0] 10-14 litres per minute [1] 9 litres per minute or less [2] Activity 1B - What is the flow rate of other taps in your home? Note tap locations where efficiency can be improved. 15 litres per minute or more [0] 10-14 litres per minute [0.5] 9 litres per minute or less [1] Activity 1C - How do you shower and bath? Have shorter showers (4 minutes or less). A bath can use over 100L of water. A short shower can use less than 30 litres. Long showers and deep baths [0] Showers only or shallow baths [1] Short showers (4 minutes or less) [2.5] Activity 1D - Check your hot water heater temperature If you have a thermal imaging camera, fill a cup with hot water from the tap, taking care to avoid burns. If you have no way of recording the temperature, it may be worth having a plumber inspect your system, especially if it is older. Consider upgrading gas or electric hot water systems to a modern and efficiency CO2 heat pump hot water heater. Adjust the hot water temperature downward to a 60 degrees where suitable. 65 degrees or more [0] 61-64 degrees [0.5] 60 degrees [1] Activity 1E - What type of water heater do you have? 3-4 tonnes of greenhouse gases are produced per year to power an electric water heater. If you need a new water heater, the most environmentally-friendly options are solar or heat pumps. Electric storage [0] Gas or electric system over 10 years old [1] Solar, 5-star gas or heat pump [4] Activity 1F - Is there insulation (lagging) on your water heater pipes? Insulating exposed copper pipes with rubber tubing (known as lagging) reduced conducted heat loss from storage water heaters. Hot and cold water pipes should be lagged, at least for the first metre from the tank. Lagging is available from hardware and plumbing stores. None [0] Some [0.5] Lagging on cold and hot pipes [1] Section 1 Notes & Score Commercial products are available for insulating electric hot water storage systems and relief valves. This section is scored out of 11.5 points. Use the below field to enter any commitments/changes you are going to make to be more energy efficient. Total the points for this section out of 11.5 and enter below. Part 2. Clothes washing and drying Most of the energy used for clothes washing goes into heating the water. If you need a new washing machine, check the energy rating. The more stars the better. Question 2A - What water temperature do you use for clothes washing? Wash clothes on cold to reduce energy consumption. Always hot or warm [0] Sometimes warm [1] Always cold [2] Question 2B - How do you dry clothes? Use the dryer less. If you need to use it, spin your clothes well before using the dryer. If you need to purchase a new dryer, consider a heat pump dryer. Otherwise, look for the highest energy rating. Dry clothes on the clothes horse or line. Always use dryer [0] Sometimes use dryer [1] Always dry on the line/clothes horse [2] Section 2 Notes & Score Record any commitment below. Total the points for this section out of 4 and enter below. Part 3. Fridges and freezers For more accurate results, use an infrared thermometer. Activity 3A - Are the seals on your fridge and freezer in good condition? Replace fridge/freezer seals. I there is a large temperature difference between the door and the seals, your fridge or freezer may be leaking cold air through the seal. Try cleaning the seal or replacing them. Well maintained seals will save you energy and money. Large leaks [0] Some leaks [1] No leaks [1.5] Activity 3B - Check your fridge temperature Adjust fridge temperature. The recommended operating temperature for a fridge is 3-5 degrees. below this will cost more money to run and it can frost up. Regularly remove frost build-up and check your seals are not damaged. Running at less than 3 degrees [0] Fridge frosts up occasionally [0.5] Fridge does not frost up [1] Activity 3C - Check your freezer temperature Adjust freezer temperature. The recommended operating temperature for a freezer is -15 to -18. Regularly remove frost build up and check seals are not damaged. Running at less than -18 degrees? 90] Freezer frosts up occasionally [0.5] Freezer does not frost up [1] Question 3D - Do you have a second fridge or freezer? Switch off second fridge or freezer. A second fridge or freezer can cost over $100 per year to run. Do you really need it? If so, only run it when necessary - such as for parties. New fridges can cost much less to run than old ones. Check the Energy Rating - the more stars the better. Always running [0] Only when needed [2] No second fridge or freezer [2.5] Question 3E - Where are your fridge and freezer located? Shade fridge from sun. Locate fridges and freezers in cool spots away from direct sun and other heat sources such as ovens. In a hot spot [0] A sometimes warm spot [0.5] In a cool spot [1] Question 3F - Are your fridge and freezers well ventilated? Fridges and freezers need gaps at the top, back and sides to shed excess heat. For appliances with exposed back coils, vacuum or wipe off dust. No air gaps on siodes and top [0] Some air gaps [0.5] Plenty of space around fridge and freezer [1] Part 3 Notes & Score Write down any commitment you will make. This section is scored out of 8 points. Enter your score below. Part 4. Orientation Refer to provided document to determine house orientation. You may be able to use a compass on your smart phone. Activity 4A - Do you have shading on north facing windows? Shade north windows in summer. Well-designed eaves shade summer sun while allowing winter sun in. Consider removable shading to allow the sun in during winter such as an external blind, pergola or deciduous vine or tree. None [0] Some [0.5] Shade from summer sun only [2] Activity 4B - Do you have shading on east and west windows? Shade east/west windows in summer. It is important to externally shade east and west windows in summer. Vertical shading is more effective such as blinds, external awnings or trees. None [0] Some [0.5] Well shaded in summer [2] Question 4C - Do you use window coverings efficiently during cooler months? Let sunlight warm home during the day and close window coverings at night. Heavily lined curtains and pelmets help keep heat in during winter and out on hot summer days. Pelmets (covers over the top of curtains) are important to stop draughts caused by airflow between curtains and windows. Don't operate based on energy efficiency [0] Operate to keep home warn in winter [1] Always operate to keep home warm in winter [2] Question 4D - DO you use windoes covering efficiency during warmer months? Shade windoes in summer and open windows at night. Using windows and window coverings can make a real difference to you comfort and energy bills. In Summer, prevent sun from directing shining through windows using internal and external window treatments and open the house at night to cool it naturally. Don't operate based on energy efficiency [0] Sometimes open or close windows to keep home cool in summer [1] Always open or close windows/awnings to keep home cool in summer [2] Part 4 Notes & Score Write down any commitment you will make. This section is scored out of 8 points. Enter your score below. Part 5. Heating and cooling systems Activity 5A - What is your living room temperature in winter? Keep room temperatures between 18-20 degrees in winter. Lowering the thermostat of heaters by one degree can reduce energy use by 10 percent. By making small changes you can make big differences to your energy use at home. In winter put on a jumper abd reduce the temperature on your thermostat to keep the room temperature between 18-20 degrees. 23 degrees or more [0] 20-22 degrees [1] 18-20 degrees [2] Activity 5B - What is your living room temperature in summer? Keep room temperatures between 25-27 degrees in summer. Raising the thermostat of cooling systems by one degree can reduce energy use by 10%. In summer use the ceiling fan instead of the air conditioner but if you need to use the air conditioner have the thermostat set to keep the room between 25-27 degrees. 21 degrees or more [0] 22-24 degrees [0.5] 25 degrees or more [1] Question 5C - How much of your home do you heat and cool? Close doors between heated and non-heated areas. Only heat or cool rooms you are currently using. Close doors between these rooms and the rest of the house. If heating is required at night only heat the bedrooms. Whole house [0] All living spaces [1] Only rooms that people are in [2.5] Question 5D - What do you use for heating? Limit heating and wear warmer clothes. Wearing more clothes or using a heated throw rug are the most cost effective ways to stay warm. Zone your home to heat space you are in instead of wasting energy on heating unoccupied rooms. Electric resistive heaters (e.g. fan heaters, column and bar heaters) [0] Reverce cycle electric or gas heating pre 2000 models [2] 4.5 Star minimum reverce cycle electric or gas heating [2.5] Question 5E - What do you use for cooling? Use ceiling fans for cooling. Ceiling fans are the most cost effective cooler. Evaporative coolers are energy efficient but can use a lot of water. Reverse cycle air conditioners work well with ceiling fans. Ducted whole of house air conditioning [0][ Single room air conditioner [0.5] Ceiling fans and night breezes [1.5] Part 5 Notes & Score Write down any commitment you will make. This section is scored out of 9.5 points. Enter your score below. Part 6. Insulation and draught proofing Activity 6A - Are there draughts from external doors, windows etc? Draught proof windows and doors. Use door and window seals, gap filler or draught excluders to block draughts. Seals gaps around skirting boars, ceiling and and old air vents. Install covers on air exhaust fans where possible. Consider getting a blower door test done to help identify small draughts and measure exactly how draught proof your home is. Large leaks [0] Some leaks [0.5] No leaks [1.5] Question 6B - Is your home Insulated? Improve ceiling and wall insulation. You can save up to 35% on heating and cooling with ceiling insulation and up to an additional 25% with wall insulation. No [0] Ceiling [2] Ceiling and walls [3] Question 6C - Do you have energy-efficient window coverings? Improve window coverings. Heavy lined curtains and pelmets help keep heat in during winter and out on hot summer days. Pelmets are important to stop draughts caused by airflow between curtains and windows. None [0] Good curtains or well-fitted roman or roller blinds [0.5] Good curtains and pelmets or cellular or honeycomb blinds [1.5] Part 6 Notes & Score Write down any commitment you will make. This section is scored out of 6 points. Enter your score below. Psrt 7. Lighting Question 7A - What types of lights do you have? Update lighting to more efficient CFLs or LED. CFLs or LED lights use much less energy and are cheaper to run than halogen down lights. Incandescent or halogen lights [0] Some CFLs [0.5] Mainly CFL or LED [1] Question 7B - Do you regularly turn off lights when they are not needed? Switch off lights when not needed. Turn lights off when you leave the room - even for only a few minutes. Motion sensors can be used to automatically control outside lights. Lights left on all the time [0] Lights turned off occasionally [0.5] Lights turned off when no one in the room or area [1] Part 7 Notes & Score Write down any commitment you will make. This section is scored out of 2 points. Enter your score below. Part 8. Standby power, cooking and other Question 8A - Do you have a pool? Clean intake grate and do not over heat or heat when unnecessary. Consider upgrading to a pool heat pump. A standard pool pump filter running 6 hours a day can cost $300-500 a year. You can heat your pool via solar, heat pump, electricity or gas. Ask us which method is right for you. Heated and filter always running [0] Solar or no heating, filter runs for less than 6 hours a day and regularly cleaned [1] No heating [2.5] Question 8B - What is your main form of cooking? Use microwave instead of the oven. Induction cook tops are more efficient than electric stove or gas cook tops. Remember to place lids on saucepans. Electric oven and stove [0] Occasional microwave and gas cook top [0.5] Microwave and induction cook top [1] Question 8D - How do you turn off your appliances? Switch off appliances when not in use. Appliances with remote controls, such as TVs can consume considerable energy when in 'standby' mode. Turn these of at the wall when not in use. Turn on and off with remote control [0] Turn off at wall sometimes [0.5] Turn off at the wall most of the time [1] Part 7 Notes & Score Write down any commitment you will make. This section is scored out of 4.5 points. Enter your score below. Disclaimer Sunstak disclaim responsibility for any loss, damage or injury to life or property suffered as a result of the kit of any actions you take thereon after. Always seek professional advice and use qualified tradespeople to conduct any work. Thank you!
