An eco-designer's recommendations

Kapiti District Eco Design Advisor Richard Morrison took a look at our case study house. The energy-saving points he noted included:

Insulation/draughts:

• A gap above the front door let in cold air. This needed fixing and some of the timber windows required draught proofing.
• Adding pelmets over the windows would improve the effectiveness of the existing full-length curtains. Heavier, full-length thermal curtains would be even better.
• Adding to the existing ceiling insulation - creating a double layer - would reduce heat loss.
• Under-floor insulation would also reduce heat loss.

Appliances:

• Replacing the 15-year-old fridge-freezer would pay for itself in about nine years through lower running costs.
• The top-loader washing machine uses more water than front loaders or newer water-efficient top loaders.
• The clothes dryer needs to vent outside.

Water:

• The two hot-water cylinders need cylinder-insulation wraps and their hot supply pipes need to be lagged. When it's time to upgrade the hot-water system, replacing the two cylinders with a larger single one will be less expensive and more efficient. At this stage they could also consider solar water heating.
• A low-flow shower head would reduce hot water use.
• A dripping tap needs fixing.

Heating:

• A timer for the electric heaters would reduce unnecessary use.
• The woodburner is a low-cost heating option - but burning only dry wood improves the burner's effectiveness and reduces pollution.

Lighting:

• Compact fluorescent bulbs have been fitted to the most commonly used lights in the house.

Ventilation:

• An extractor fan in the bathroom would reduce moisture build-up.
• A kitchen extractor vented to the exterior would reduce moisture in the kitchen

Safety:

• Three smoke alarms are already fitted. Replacing these with photoelectric alarms will improve smoke detection from smouldering fires.