Energy efficiency in renovations

A renovation is the perfect time to upscale energy efficiency, and your client (probably) needs your help.

Renovations big and small present homeowners with opportunities to reduce their environmental footprint in new ways and increase their energy efficiency. But while they have big-picture ideas, they may not be across the how-tos. Here are a few ways to introduce energy efficiency in a reno project to save the planet — and save your customers money in the long term.

All set for solar

Over the past couple of decades, solar panel efficiency rates have increased dramatically, to the point that solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert nearly a quarter of the sunlight they receive into clean, renewable energy.

This makes solar energy an attractive option for most homeowners who want to save money and do their bit for the environment. But while around 3.7 million Australian homes have rooftop solar, the Australian Energy Council estimates that fewer than one in 14 of those households have home battery systems installed.

That means there’s a pretty significant opportunity for more households to be encouraged to take the plunge.

So what else can we expect in the near future?

Transparent PV glass is likely to be a game-changer in the solar industry over the next few years. This type of panel can be built into windows and has already been used in a number of high-profile international projects, such as The Edge office building in Amsterdam and Kaneka Corporation’s Head Office in Osaka.

There are a handful of Aussie companies producing and installing tiles as part of a whole new roof system. While it’s true the costs of this are currently beyond your average suburban homeowner, that won’t be the case forever. And the future possibilities of this technology are huge. One day we will likely see the use of solar skins – thin, flexible layers of solar cells that can be applied to any surface on any building, new or historic.

Eco-proof the switchboard With the increasing trend of home electrification and the use of multiple energy sources, we’re observing a corresponding rise in messy and potentially unsafe electrical switchboards over the past few years. “It is easier to modify and upgrade a switchboard as part of the renovation process rather than waiting until you need to add more equipment to the house later,” says Diana Ruiz Diaz from Schneider Electric.

“To address this issue, we have developed a new circuit protection concept specifically for electrified homes: MAXBAR+ New Energy Protection Kits.

“Electricians love the clear pictograms to ensure the correct placement of protection devices.

“Its patented design helps safeguard against overloads in specific scenarios when multiple energy sources and loads are operational simultaneously. And it makes the switchboard neat and tidy while reducing the risks of hot joints and bad terminations which create potential fire hazards.”

Lighting up outside

Light pollution takes a silent toll on the environment, upsetting the pathways of birds and bats and obscuring our view of the beautiful night skies. Not to mention upsetting the neighbours. But it’s a fixable problem and a renovation is a great time to take action. One of the best ways to cut down on unnecessary light spill is with timers and motion sensors. The latest sensors also come with HD cameras, saving energy and keeping the home safe.

“Tradies can consider updating their customers’ outdoor motion sensors to our Smart Outdoor Sensors with HD camera,” says PSA’s Chiang Ooi.

“It’s simple to install, and most customers already have – or need – a motion sensor for a patio or their driveway, so incorporating a camera means they don’t need additional CCTV. “With a mounting template that matches major outdoor sensors in the market, this simple change will have the sensor not only activate your lights, but users will also get notifications of movement, view and record video and have two-way audio all on the PSA Centrii app.”

“With a mounting template that matches major outdoor sensors in the market, this simple change will have the sensor not only activate your lights, but users will also get notifications of movement, view and record video and have two-way audio all on the PSA Centrii app.”

EV forever

If your customer doesn’t already have an electric vehicle, chances are, one day they will, and probably sooner than they think. Installing an EV charger will ensure a house is ready for the future — and will add value to a home if it’s being renovated and flipped. “Schneider Charge provides a safe, fast and reliable way to charge at home – all in a sleek, stylish design with smart connectivity. It’s also designed to provide an easy installation for the sparkies,” says Diana.

“It allows for remote-control, real-time insights and smart scheduling via an app. And if there are solar panels on the house, the owner will be able to use any excess power to charge their car.”

Rewire, rethink, reduce

One effective way to achieve energy efficiency is by rewiring. Most older houses were designed for much lower energy consumption, and are way less energy-efficient compared to modern homes.

If you’re on a major renovation, chances are the walls are coming down, so it’s the perfect time to ensure the electrical system is up to the task.

But rewiring comes with benefits beyond just keeping death by electric shock at bay. A total rewire will ensure a home meets current electrical codes. With more circuits and outlets, a home will be better equipped to handle modern appliances and technology. And the perennial favourite — new wiring can improve a home’s energy efficiency, potentially lowering those electricity bills.