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Sustainability Resource Kit- Tenants

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This kit is intended to be used as a resource for community housing tenants. It focuses on resource efficiency measures to deliver environmental benefits and cost savings.

 

Contents

You can also get advice from the Green Renters Guide

 

 

SUSTAINABILITY- WHY BOTHER?

 

As the poet Gary Snyder put it, “nature is not a place to visit, it is home”. There are numerous ethical and moral reasons for living more sustainably, but there are also many practical ones as well.

 

Climate change is poised to dramatically alter our lives, and of serious concern are the increasing costs of resources predicted over the coming decade. Dwindling oil supplies, a cost on carbon, the ongoing drought, and a booming global population are among the major contributors that will drive these changes.

 

Smart metering, to be completely rolled out across Victoria by 2013, is predicted to push the cost of electricity bills out of reach for many. However, electricity is just one of the necessities that will push weekly budgets toward breaking point, as fresh food and petrol prices may rapidly climb as well.

 

As a tenant it is often more difficult to make changes to your home, and there is not always a clear incentive to spend money improving a property owned by someone else. It is hoped that this kit can provide information on some low cost opportunities and help you make choices that will provide long term benefits to you and the environment.

 

The earlier you take action to improve the environmental and energy performance of your home and lifestyle, the earlier you will reap the potential benefits of increased comfort levels and decreased utility bills.

 

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SWITCHED ON ABOUT ENERGY

 

Selecting and operating appliances

The choices that you make now when buying appliances will affect you for years to come. For example, a fridge runs 24 hours a day, 365 days per year and while there is often a large difference in purchase prices between two similar fridges, the long term running costs of some 'cheap' fridges can make them very expensive. However, you can have the most efficient fridge in the world, but if you don’t maintain it by keeping the back well ventilated, the coils on the back free of dust, the refrigerant levels up and the seals in good condition, then it will become a large energy consumer.

Did you know that the television is about to overtake the fridge as the largest single consumer of energy in the average Australian house? This is a result of the trend towards large, plasma televisions.

 

The choices you make will result in a real difference, and because we tend to hold onto expensive items such as household appliances, bad decisions will cost you and the environment for years to come.

For more detailed information about the appliances in your home visit:

 

Top simple tips:

  • Most appliances available today use the star energy rating system to help you make an informed decision.  The more stars, the more energy efficient.
    Star rating system example
  • Before making a decision based on what the price sticker says, calculate the running costs of your options and make a calculated decision.
  • Washing clothes using cold water uses up to 80% less energy than hot water.
  • If you have a gas stove, boiling water on it results in far fewer greenhouse gas emissions then using an electric kettle. However, the kettle is preferable to using an electric stove top to boil water.
  • If you have a healthcare card, several organizations run schemes to help you afford more efficient appliances like fridges and washing machines. These include:
    • No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS).  This provides totally interest-free loans to low income households who which to buy energy and water saving appliances.
    • The Good Shepherd Buying Service.  A free statewide telephone service that assists concession card holders on low incomes to purchase new essential household items.  This service can help negotiate discount prices with a network of traders.
    • The Progress Loans program.  A similar scheme to NILS, which is run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ Bank.
    • White Goods Appliance Rebate. A $100 rebate is available for the purchase of either a washing machine with at least a 3.5-star energy rating and 4-star water rating, or a fridge with a minimum 4-star energy rating.  This is only eligible to those who take part in one of the schemes above.

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Standby Power

‘Standby power’ is the electricity used by appliances while they are switched off or in standby mode.  For example, if you turn your television off with a remote control then it is still using electricity just ‘waiting’ for you to turn it back on.  This means you are paying to use most of the appliances in your house even when you’re not using them!  Sometimes referred to as ‘vampire power’, standby electricity can account for 5-20% of your bill, costing Australian households $500 million each year. But by following a few simple steps some large cost and energy savings can be achieved.

 

Simple tips:

  • Switch off appliances like televisions using the button on the unit.
  • Switch off the microwave at the wall between uses.  About 90% of the energy used by a microwave over its life is just for running the clock.
  • If you’re going away for a while, switch off and unplug all your appliances.
  • Invest in some standby power saving sockets for your house.  This does involve an initial cost outlay, but can pay for itself very quickly.  These are available from stores like The Environment Shop.

For those interested in doing more, there is a wealth of online resources available in this area:

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Water Heating

The energy for heating water used when showering and washing dishes uses about 25% of the energy in an average home. This can translate into serious amounts of money, especially if you are stuck with an electric day-rate hot water system. Another issue with hot water is the time you have to wait for it to actually reach the tap when you turn it on, which wastes large amounts of both energy and water. However, there are numerous, cost effective ways to make large improvements to the performance of your hot water use. These include:

  • Reducing the length of your shower and installing water efficient showerheads (see ‘water wisdom')
  • Scraping dirty dishes into the sink before washing them. Don’t rinse with hot water first
  • Don’t use warm water to wash your hands or when brushing teeth, it wastes a lot whilst waiting for the hot water to come through
  • Turn down the temperature of your hot water system; reducing the water temperature by as little as 5°C can reduce water-heating energy consumption by 3-5%. Some water heaters allow this to be done by yourself, but others may require a plumber. Don't ever attempt anything you're not 100% confident with. Also, to prevent the growth of bacteria in your tank, do not reduce the temperature below 60°C!

For more information about hot water, including different systems, energy sources and tips on how to reduce your consumption follow the link below:

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Energy Audit Basics

An energy audit involves inspecting your home to identify ways in which efficiency can be improved, thereby saving money on bills. Even without specific training, it is possible to carry out a basic energy audit of your home. The following resources provide step-by-step information on how to do this. Many are from American sources, but still provide relevant advice:

  • U.S. Department of Energy. An excellent introduction to key points of home energy auditing.
  • City of Seattle. This guide is recommended for those looking for more detailed instructions for a more thorough audit. Includes a useful auditing checklist.

If your property’s title is owned by your community housing organisation (check with your manager), the following organisations can carry out a free Home Sustainability Assessment on your property. Funded by the Federal Government, the service is effectively a basic energy and water audit. There are many providers out in the market, with the thoroughness of their assessments varying widely. Consider the following providers:

 

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HOT TIPS FOR COOL HOMES

 

Heating your home

Of all the energy used in the average Melbourne home, 50% goes into heating. As a result, heating your home is probably one of your largest contributions to greenhouse gas emissions (and your energy bill!). This is especially tricky for renters, who are often stuck with inefficient heaters that come with the house. Most houses haven’t been properly built to maintain a comfortable temperature, but there are still numerous simple and cheap things you can do to reduce your annual heating costs.

 

Top simple tips:

  • Only heat the areas of the house that you are using- keep doors to other rooms closed.
  • Wear appropriate clothing when it is cold, keeping your feet covered in socks or slippers and wearing a jumper is very effective.
  • Seal gaps to stop draughts, especially around doors and windows, through gaps in brickwork and timber flooring. If you plan to do this yourself, check with your property manager first. Use a caulking gun with ‘no more gaps’, draught proofing tape and door snakes
  • Keep the curtains and blinds closed to stop heat escaping through window. The thicker the curtain, the better it will insulate. If you don’t have a pelmet (box around the top of the blind/curtain), consider blocking the gap at the top with towels or a blanket.  
  • Turn down the thermostat, 18-20°C should be comfortable enough. Beyond this temperature range, every 1 degree increase in temperature results in 10% extra energy use.
  • If you must use a small portable electric heater, make sure you choose the most appropriate type for your needs
  • If you have ceiling fans, turn them on gently to move warm air near the ceiling down to the ground where occupants are sitting.
  • There are government rebates of up to $1600 for rental properties that install ceiling insulation. The majority of heat loss from a well sealed house is through the roof.

For more specific information regarding methods of heating visit the link below:

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Portable electric heating options

If you don’t have access to a heating alternative, use the information below to make an informed decision about the type of heating you use at home. By selecting the right heater for the right situation you may be able to reduce the amount of energy you use.

 

Electric space heaters fall into three categories:

  • Convection- oil filled or flat panel heaters.
    • Use: For constant usage such as heating a room you will occupy for a few hours.
    • Advantages: Safe operation due to fairly low operating temperatures and silent operation.
    • Negatives: These heaters are not good at quickly heating a room or for providing warmth to a person quickly for a short time period. As they heat the air directly, they are no good in un-insulated and drafty areas.
    • Example of use: A parent who stays home some days with their child, occupying a single room in the house.

     

  • Fan or ‘forced convection’ heaters- small portable fan heaters
    • Use: For rapidly heating an area or an individual but for shorter time periods
    • Advantages: Able to quickly produce heat in a small area to increase comfort levels.
    • Negatives: The high temperature of the element can make it both a fire and burns hazard, particularly in situations where children are present. Caution must be exercised when using these heaters. Never operate in the vicinity of combustible materials such as near furniture, curtains or drying clothes.
    • Example of use: You have a job and early in the morning when you need to heat the kitchen a little while you eat breakfast. You can aim the heat at you as you eat and don’t have to heat all of the air in the space.

     

  • Radiant Heaters- Bar radiators, heat lamps and quartz crystal
    • Use: In the bathroom, very large areas not heated by a cheaper means, in poorly insulated or drafty rooms.
    • Advantages: This form of heating warms surfaces directly and not necessarily the air in the room. As such, it can make a person feel warm in a cold room.
    • Negatives: These heaters can be extremely dangerous if left unattended or near small children, the elements are very hot and any objects too close can heat up and catch fire.
    • Example of use: Many bathrooms use heating lamps as they heat the person and not the air, which would just be sucked out by exhaust fans. It is also sensible to use these heaters in large rooms when only one person is using it, especially if the person is immobile (working at a desk, watching TV).

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Cooling your home

Not everyone is lucky enough to have an air conditioner, and even those who do will be lucky to be able to afford the electricity costs to run them on a hot afternoon once the new ‘smart meter’ system is introduced across the State (see ‘smart meters’). Power hungry air conditioners are not the only way to keep cooler on hot summer days, and most of the strategies you can use are straightforward while costing very little. One of the more expensive but effective options, after the installation of adequate insulation, is to install blinds to the outside of your north facing windows, which stop the heat of the sun from penetrating into the house.

 

Top simple tips:

  • Ceiling and pedestal fans are very cheap to run
  • Keep the house well sealed during hot days to keep cooler air from overnight in, and keep hot air outside.
  • Portable evaporative coolers consume only marginally more energy than a standard fan, but a lot less then an ‘air conditioner’.
  • Films can be applied to windows that reflect a lot of sun, which can be a low cost alternative to installing blinds but may also reduce the sun’s penetration into your house in winter. Along with external blinds, this is something worth asking your property manager to investigate. For more information visit the link below:

The following link provides a lot more details and information about various measures for keeping your house cooler during the hot summer months.

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WORRIED ABOUT WASTE?

 

Check out this short and informative video on about the way we consume materials in society. It makes the case for why we need to get smart about how we deal with resources and waste: The Story of Stuff

  

Household waste

Simple tips:

  • Recycle responsibly—a lot more items can be recycled than you might think, but there are also many items that can’t.  Most councils accept the following types of waste:
    • Plastic bottles & food containers- containers with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 inside the recycling symbol. Look on the base of products for the code.

recyclable materials

    • Steel & aluminium cans- steel cans, aerosol cans, aluminium cans, paint tins (dry), food oil cans (20L and under), and foil containers.  All should be as clean as possible.
    • Paper & cardboard- Almost all paper and cardboard, including newspapers, magazines, cardboard, advertising material, phone books, egg cartons, flattened cardboard boxes.  Do not recycle waxed cardboard.
    • Glass- bottles & jars.
  • Start a compost heap.  This is a brilliant way to close a waste loop and create something useful from waste that would otherwise end up in landfill.  Follow this link for some great information on how to compost properly.
  • Be waste-conscious at the supermarket.  Avoid waste-intensive options like packs of ‘snack-sized’ foodstuffs, which often have packaging inside other packaging.  Avoid pre-packaged fruits and vegetables and consider not placing each loose vegetable or fruit item you buy into the small plastic bags provided in the grocery section, especially for larger items such as apples, tomatoes and bananas.

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Junk Mail and Batteries

Junk Mail is more than just annoying, its production, distribution and disposal consumes vast quantities of precious resources, including energy, trees and oil. Australia consumes 14.1 million trees, 26,144 million litres of water, and 1,332 million litres of oil as a result of junk mail. 

  • If you don’t want to receive junk mail there are laws to help you, follow this link to the Clean up Australia website for information about how to manage the amount of junk mail entering your letterbox.

Batteries- you can’t escape them. We need them to power so many items, but can be expensive to replace and are full of toxic chemicals. Consider the following:

  • As they are around twice as expensive, rechargeable batteries can seem overpriced and not worth the effort. However, you only need to recharge and reuse them once to have recouped the difference, and after that each use is a saving! Rechargeable batteries are an excellent way to save money. Check out Clean up Australia for more information about the latest in rechargeable batteries.
  • Disposing of batteries is another important consideration, especially when using non-rechargeable batteries. The toxic chemicals can leak in landfills and may contaminate groundwater if disposed of in the normal rubbish bins. Unfortunately, Australia is well behind when it comes to dealing with this important issue, as we have no national recycling scheme for non-rechargeable batteries. Once again, check out Clean up Australia for more information about different battery types and where you can recycle them

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WATER WISDOM

 

Melbourne’s water reserves are currently below 30% capacity, and are predicted to keep dropping. This has led the Victorian government to approve a desalination plant, which will use large amounts of electricity to produce drinking water from seawater. In fact, the energy used by this plant is expected to generate the same amount of greenhouse gases as 200,000 cars each year! Plus, while the water bill is usually the cheapest of household bills, desalination will cause a steep rise in water prices.  Therefore, saving water will not only help to keep your bills low, but it will also help to save energy use and greenhouse gas emissions caused by desalination.

 

Check out the rebates section of this kit fo information on what is available to help you save water. Also consider some of these low or no cost tips for reducing your water consumption.

 

Top simple tips:

  • Given showering uses the most water used in the average home, keeping shower times short and swapping inefficient shower heads are by far the best ways to save water. See Our Water, Our Future for information on where you can swap your shower head for free, as well as other great water saving measures.
  • Dripping taps can waste up to 50 litres of water per day. Often they can be easily fixed yourself by replacing the washer- follow this link for instructions on how to do this. Otherwise report the problem to your property manager.
  • If you hold a valid concession card and pay your own water bills, you may be eligible for the State Government ‘Water Wise’ program. This is a fantastic opportunity to have your household water efficiency drastically improved….free of charge! Check out this link for more information.

The following link has some more great information about how to reduce your water consumption:

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REBATES

 

It can be very frustrating trying to claim rebates as a tenant of a community housing property, as often eligibility depends on whether or not the house is owned by the community housing organisation or the Office of Housing.  If you’re not sure who owns your property, check with your tenancy/property manager.

 

Available even if your property is owned by the Office of Housing:

  • White Goods Appliance Rebate. A $100 rebate is available for the purchase of either a washing machine with at least a 3.5-star energy rating and 4-star water rating, or a fridge with a minimum 4-star energy rating.  This is only eligible to those who take part in one of the following schemes:
    • No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS).  This provides totally interest-free loans to low income households who which to buy energy and water saving appliances.
    • The Good Shepherd Buying Service.  A free statewide telephone service that assists concession card holders on low incomes to purchase new essential household items.  This service can help negotiate discount prices with a network of traders.
    • The Progress Loans program.  A similar scheme to NILS, which is run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ Bank.
  • Water Smart Gardens & Homes Rebates.  Provided you pay the water bill at your property, you can claim government rebates for a range of water-saving purchases. These include water tanks, mulch, dual-flush toilets and low-flow shower heads. Receipts for purchase need to be provided.
  • DHS ‘Water Wise’ Program.  Offers a free water audit for properties whose residents have a concession card, as well as $500 of free water efficiency retrofits.  Follow the link for details on how to apply.

 

Available if your property’s title is owned by your community housing organisation:

  • Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme - $1000 for soalr hot water and $600 for heat pump system - guidelines yet to be published
  • Gas Hot Water Rebate.  Rebate of $700 for concession card holders (otherwise $400) for upgrading an inefficient peak-rate electric water heater to a gas model. There are large cost savings and environmental benefits to be gained from replacing electric day-rate water heaters.

 

 

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