Sustainability Unit

Information for everyone

Common energy waste areas
Cool communities
How to save energy on transport
Renewable energy rebates
Resources available from BSS
Tools and calculators

Common energy waste areas

Energy waste in air conditioned buildings can be divided into 4 basic areas.

1. Excessive Standards of Services

lighting levels are excessive in offices, passageways, etc.
domestic hot water services are operated at too high a temperature
relative humidity is controlled when this is not needed at all, or if it is necessary, tolerances are too small
temperature control tolerances are too small
unreasonably low temperatures are used in summer and unreasonably high temperatures in winter

2. Operating Services When Not Required

lighting is operating when not needed
hot water urns, cooking equipment, domestic hot water systems used excessively
whole building is air conditioned when only a small section is working overtime
excessive number of lifts at off-peak hours
outdoor lights operated during daylight hours

3. Inefficient Engineering Services

large boiler used for domestic hot water requirement
inefficient boilers or chillers
control systems inadequately designed or out of calibration
air supply to various areas of the building incorrect (air balance)
simultaneous heating and cooling of air supplied to a given area of the building
pumps, fans and their drive motors oversized
chillers oversized or incorrectly sequenced
no outdoor air economy cycle
excessive quantities of ventilation air

4. Building Envelope Problems

air leaks around windows and doors
too many windows
no shading on windows
double glazing, heat absorbing or reflecting glass, or Venetian blinds not used
inadequate insulation of walls, window frames and windows
lightweight construction with poor thermal storage

Information reused with permission from Claude Morson,
Australian Greenhouse Office

Cool communities

Cool Mob is a community based program designed to help Darwin and Palmerston households reduce greenhous gas emissions. The program is part of the national Cool Communities Program.

The Cool Communities program in Alice Springs is run by the Arid Lands Environment Centre and supported by Desert Knowledge Australia. The program comprises a virtual community of 200 Alice Springs households linked via email.

How to save energy on transport

Use alternatives to one person one car travel when possible; walking, bikes, car pooling, and public transport all reduce carbon dioxide emissions and energy costs.

Choose the most efficient vehicle to meet your needs and use it efficiently: drive smoothly, avoid stop-start traffic, switch the engine off instead of excessive idling at a stand still, close windows when using the air conditioner, ensure cars are regularly maintained, and tyres are kept at maximum air pressure.

Click here for more information on Greener Transport

Renewable energy rebates

Purchase of Solar Hot Water System Renewable Energy Credits
	To meet national minimum renewable energy requirements, PowerWater is purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (worth up to $900) associated with the installation of new solar hot water systems. More information...
Photovoltaic Rebate Program
	Photovoltaic systems convert sunlight into electricity. Under the Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP), which commenced on 1 January 2000, cash rebates are now available to householders and owners of community use buildings who install grid-connected or stand-alone photovoltaic systems (conditions apply). Up to $31m is available over the life of the program.	Contact the Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development for more information on this program or contact the Australian Greenhouse Office
Renewable Energy Rebate Program (RERP)
	The Renewable Energy Rebate Program (REEP) is a sub-programme to the renewable Remote Power Generation (RRPGP) which provides financial support to increase the use of renewable generation equipment and renewable water pumps in remote, off-grid areas of the Northern Territory.	More information can be found at the Renewable Energy Rebate Program website or contact the Australian Greenhouse Office