If you’re keen to know the answer, head to one of our libraries today and borrow a home energy kit. The kit contains easy-to-use tools that can help you find out how much energy your house uses and where there is room for improvement.
The kits contain the following tools:
- energy saving thermometer
- mini non-contact thermometer
- water flow measuring cup
- PowerMate lite energy meter.
Use these tools to measure what appliances use most power, where you are losing or gaining heat and how many litres of water you use per minute. Often it’s easy and cheap to make small upgrades to your home. The mini non-contact infrared thermometer measures the temperature of surfaces such as walls and windows. Your home might be losing or gaining heat through walls which can be fixed with insulation or shade. Use the energy saving thermometer to measure your hot water and fridge temperatures. By adjusting the temperature, you can save on your energy bills and reduce your carbon emissions.
You can also borrow a thermal imaging camera which combines non-contact temperature measurement and thermal imaging into one troubleshooting tool to help you quickly identify where hot or cold air is leaking in and out of your home. The camera can show gaps in insulation, as well as leaky fridge seals and high energy using appliances.
Quote attributable to Mayor Councillor Anthony Marsh:
“Australian households generate about one fifth of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Making our homes more efficient is an important action we can all take to reduce our carbon emissions and tackle climate change.”
