If you’ve ever wondered what the best way to save power in your home may be, why not consider a Glenco energy audit? As a part of this audit, the things to look out for are:

Residential

Hot water units

It is important to check for any leaks in the hot water system to make sure it is running at optimum capacity and not wasting any energy. Additionally, we would check if this system is on normal peak rate, or if it could be placed on an off-peak system to save costs. The other option is to go to an instantaneous electrical hot water system. These units only heat and use energy when the tap is turned on. These systems require three phase power. This will only use energy when you are using your water. This is opposed to a storage tank which will continually heat the water even when you are not using it.

Lighting

To assess the energy efficiency of lighting, we would check to see the quality of the lighting and the type of lights installed. Lower quality lighting can use more energy when in use. Additionally, LED lighting is going to save a lot of energy costs depending on how many lights you may have to be replaced. Another factor to take into account is the operational time of the lighting. Do you have a sensor light that is being triggered by the dog all day/night? Do you have some lights running on a timer unnecessarily? These are all things to take into account.

Swimming pool

The first step in assessing the energy efficiency and carrying out an energy audit of your property is to ask questions like, is there a swimming pool? If so, we would check the heating to see if this is gas or electric. Often gas can be lower cost to run. Additionally, we can look if the filter and the heating can be placed on a time clock, which will ensure they are running only when needed.

Floor heating and towel rails

Floor heating and towel rails can be highly convenient and comforting on cold winter nights. However they can definitely put a dent in your power bill. One thing you can do to keep the costs as low as possible when using these, is to make sure they’re not running 24/7. You can choose to put underfloor heating and towel rails on timeclocks which will ensure they only heat when you will be using them.

Air Conditioning

One of the best ways to save energy on air conditioning systems is to install an inverter system. An inverter is a feature in the aircon system that allows the motor (fan motor(s), compressor) to vary their speed, which will in turn save you power, as the motor will only run to what is needed, rather than running at maximum capacity at all times. To give you an example, an inverter split system uses approximately 30% less energy than a standard fixed speed split system.

Another great way to save energy on your air conditioning system is to ensure it is regularly serviced, to make sure it is always operating at maximum capacity. This includes ensuring the unit is properly cleaned, including the filters, the outdoor units, and the airflow is good.

Metering

It is another part of checking your energy efficiency to check if your existing metering is up to current standards. Your electricity meter can run at a standard flat rate, which is one rate at all times of the day and/or week. Peak/off-peak metering involves have a different electricity rate depending on the time of day it is. This includes one rate for peak times, another for shoulder times, and another rate for off peak times. This means you could run your higher energy consuming appliances at the off peak times, to ensure you are getting the best rate at the times when you are using the most energy. To change your meter over from standard rate to off peak you would need a level 2 electrician.

Commercial/ Large residential

Common area

The common areas of commercial or large residential properties can use a lot of energy. Often lighting in these areas has to run 24/7 so there is always lighting available should people enter the property. This is also useful for security purposes. One thing to assess in the common areas for auditing energy in the building is to look at the type of fittings installed. If these are not energy efficient light fittings like LED lighting, it would be recommended to install the most cost efficient lighting we possible in these areas. We can also look into whether or not there are any government rebates or funding available to provide an even better return on investment when changing over the lighting to LED. We can also look at the quantity of lights installed as sometimes if it not necessary to have as many lights installed as are there, and this quantity can be reduced to save energy. Additionally common area lighting’s operational time can be assessed as we could also look at installing sensor lighting or lighting on timers so the lighting is only used when needed.

Common area hot water

It’s a great idea to assess the hot water system in a common area. Is this system gas or electric? Consult your qualified energy auditing electrician to find out what’s best for your property.

Extraction fans

Extractor fans may be using a significant amount of energy if running at all times. We can assess whether or not extractor fans can be installed on timers.

Metering

It is another part of checking your energy efficiency to check if your existing metering is up to current standards. Your electricity meter can run at a standard flat rate, which is one rate at all times of the day and/or week. Peak/off-peak metering involves have a different electricity rate depending on the time of day it is. This includes one rate for peak times, another for shoulder times, and another rate for off peak times. This means you could run your higher energy consuming appliances at the off peak times, to ensure you are getting the best rate at the times when you are using the most energy. To change your meter over from standard rate to off peak you would need a level 2 electrician. Also, something else to consider for a commercial or large residential property is to find out if the building can negotiate a better billing tariff with the energy provider.

Energy Auditing Areas

1. Common area lighting
The team at Glenco will calculate the common area lighting loads with a view of reducing your kilowatt usage. We provide motion sensing and lighting solutions for all common areas.

2. Garden and exterior lighting
Providing solutions for garden and outdoor lighting using efficient LED technology is a Glenco specialty. This provides energy reductions and aesthetic benefits.

3. Carpark lighting
Glenco will calculate the carpark lighting loads with a view of reducing your kilowatt usage. We will offer you alternative energy efficient solutions combined with motion sensing and photoelectric technology.

4. Power factor correction
We will assess the feasibility of power factor correction implementation for buildings with high current draw motors relating to items such as cooling towers, air conditioning, lifts, etc.

5. Tariff Structure
Allow Glenco to examine and report on your current tariff structures regarding electrical usage. We examine loads for peak, shoulder and off-peak usage, and provide energy usage options based on the information we gather.

6. Switchboard monitoring
At Glenco we can carry out monitoring of switchboard(s) to determine accurately the energy usage of lighting, air conditioning and other relevant common area circuits. This monitoring provides accurate data to facilitate calculations to determine the best system for your building and we provide calculations for return on investment.

7. Hot water systems
Glenco will access and report on the efficiency of your electric hot water system to the common area. We can also inspect and report on individual electric hot water systems for specific owners if required. We will provide recommendations as well as calculate energy savings and return on investment.

8. Swimming pools
Allow us to inspect and report on the efficiency of your electrical equipment for your swimming pool. We will provide recommendations as well as access energy savings and return on investment.

Our full list of Glenco Energy Management services includes:

• Energy Auditing
• Event Auditing
• Development & Implementation of Energy Reduction Schemes
• Air Conditioning/Ventilation
• Energy Usage
• Energy Tariff Structure
• Energy Management Systems
• Lighting
• IT Cabling and Networking
• OH&S Analysis and Systems
• Thermal Imaging
• Motion Data Logging
• OH&S Analysis
• Power Analyser Data Logging

Saving energy is at the top of most people’s list when it comes to putting dollars back in their pockets. An energy audit of your property is definitely a great start to saving these dollars. Contact us to get your property energy audited today.