Energy Efficiency

Beat Winter Chills and Bills Question and Answers Forums during July

Would you like to find out how you can stay warm and save money this winter by making some simple changes to your home?  Want to know what insulation or what a solar hot water system looks like?  Then come along with your energy efficiency and carbon footprint questions and have them answered by our expert panel and see our mini energy efficiency display over a hot drink and a few nibbles.

The Hobart City Council and Sustainable Living Tasmania will be holding a series of Question and Answer Forum at the following locations and times:

Day/Date Time Where
Thursday 10 July 2008 5.30pm to 7.00pm Fern Tree Community Centre
Saturday 12 July 2008 2.00pm to 3.30pm Lenah Valley Primary School, Creek Road
Monday 14 July 2008 12:00pm to 1.30pm Derwent Sailing Squadron, Marieveille Esp, Sandy Bay
Thursday 17 July 2008 5.30pm to 7.00pm Lenah Valley Primary School, Creek Road
Saturday 19 July 2008 2.00pm to 3.30pm St Stevens Hall, 520 Sandy Bay Rd, Sandy Bay
Sunday 20 July 2008 2.00pm to 3.30pm Lansdowne Crescent Primary School, Gourlay St, West Hobart

Alternatively you can download a PDF flier with more information.

What is energy efficient design?

Energy efficient building design is all about the creation of homes that are comfortable for people to live in all year round. That is, naturally cool in summer and warm in winter without the need to use costly and time consuming energy sources. Temperature and light are maintained at comfortable levels with a minimum requirement for active systems such as heaters, air conditioners and daytime lighting.

Energy efficiency has many benefits for home owners:

  • Given that Tasmania has recently connected to the National Electricity Grid via Basslink, energy savings through energy efficient design now have a direct greenhouse gas reduction benefit.
  • Save money if the sun heats and lights your home, your power bills are significantly reduced.
  • Less effort if passive design features heat your home, tasks such as wood stacking and splitting are significantly reduced.

Energy Efficient Design Guidelines

In April 2001 Hobart City Council launched a new initiative aimed at encouraging energy efficient new houses and home extensions.

A set of guidelines has been prepared for prospective home builders and designers. The guidelines cover the range of considerations from an analysis of the site and the opportunities it presents for energy efficient design, through to building orientation and layout, ventilation/cooling, insulation and landscaping.

The guidelines identify the key principles in using the sun's energy and are intended to promote understanding of how to use the sun's energy during the building design stage to achieve energy efficiency. The practice of energy efficient design will help reduce demand on non-renewable energy resources consumed by the heating and cooling of buildings.

Printed guidelines are also available (at no cost) from the customer counter of the  Hobart Council Centre, on the corner of Elizabeth and Davey Streets.

Rebates

To persuade home builders to pursue energy efficient options, Hobart City Council has introduced two rebate schemes:

  1. The Planning* and Building Administration Fee Rebate for new buildings or additions meeting a set of energy efficient criteria.
  2. The Solar Hot Water Rebate offering Hobart ratepayers a $500 incentive to install a solar hot water system in their homes.

*The Planning Fee component of the rebate excludes costs associated with the notification of an application by advertising in the “Mercury”.