Homeowners interested in saving on their electricity costs should install Solar Panels, right?
Not necessarily!
Impressively named ‘geothermal heating systems’ and ‘Solar PV Systems’ are a great way to save money on energy bills in the long run, but if homeowners are looking for some immediate fixes that cost less in the short term, they should consider an energy audit from a qualified NatHERS Assessor.
So why obtain an NatHERS Assessment if I don’t require one?
All new homes and majore renovations are required to obtain a NatHERS energy rating of 6 Stars or more. But homeowners of exisiting homes may consider paying for a rating on their existing home, even though it’s not required by law, because it can highlight some really obvious ways to lower energy bills with respect to heating and cooling the home.
A qualified NatHERS Assesor can model the existing home, and then show the client the additional savings they could expect to have if they added features into their home such as improved ceiling insulation, weather-stripping doors and windows, and insulation or shading to various external walls. These measures are generally less expensive than solar panels or geothermal heating/cooling systems, and they can deliver similar, if not greater, savings to the homeowner.
In the long term, if the homeowner wishes to install more expensive items, these initial measures will only further increase the savings.
“Solar panels and geothermal heating and cooling may prove a pricey investment with little pay-off in terms of energy costs or the environment if the house continues to leak heat and cooling through old windows, doors or poorly insulated walls” writes Laura Kusisto in the Weekend Australian Feb 14-15, 2015.
If you are interested in enquiring about the cost of an Energy Assessment on your home, please contact BERA.