Newsletter August 2009

How to be more energy efficient – Part 3

This month (August 2009):

• This month; carrying on with part 3 of ‘A few tips on how to be more energy efficient’ - Lighting.
• Pump your warm air outside – why?
• Training your dog about doggie doos and don’ts.
  

Part 3

THREE – Lighting

Keep down-lights to a minimum except in areas where specific directional lighting is required – like kitchens and maybe bathrooms. Remember, with most models, when you install a downlight in the ceiling it creates a hole for heat to escape into the attic.

Only install downlights which can have the insulation abutted i.e. insulation against the downlight (specify that to your consultant). What we mean here is that some downlights require a ‘heat can’ or a coil to protect the insulation against excessive heat given off. Downlights have been known to be the cause of attic fires so drastic modifications need to be made to some models. Think about it, when wanting to conserve energy the last thing you need is a downlight that generates a lot of unusable heat that is lost into the attic.

The latest energy efficient replacement for standard halogen downlights is the 6 watt LED bulb, these are a direct replacement for the 50 watt bulb, they cost about $110.00 each at the moment but the cost benefit over 10 years is a saving of over $200.00 per bulb.

Next choice is to replace all incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents (best to pay a little more and purchase a know brand). These are now available in softer tones, traditional shapes and are now also Dimmable! Compact fluorescent lamps will save an average 70% power use when compared to an incandescent. Note of caution from eye specialists; some of the new lamps do not give of suitable light for reading conditions and often people will strain their eyes to see. Greg’s advice is, in these conditions, always use reading lamps.

It’s recommended that downlights are installed 1 for every 4 sq meters, where as a hanging or surface light can be 1 every 16-20 sq meters. So to be cost and energy efficient install downlights to a well thought out plan.

In most living areas design for a lower level of general lighting (and use a dimmer for more power savings – I’m sure your lover will agree with you when you tell them “oh, it’s just for power saving honey”). Then, as mentioned, use task lighting or standard lamps to light specific work or reading areas as we all need more light to see more clearly as we get older.

Greg Hoskins of Hoskins Energy really knows and understands his stuff on this subject. If you wish to speak to him directly about any point he raises here he can be contacted (sometimes) on 0274-475-117 or after hours on 06-379-7904.

Pump your warm air outside

You’ve just used some of your hard earned income to heat your home and now I’m suggesting that some of that heat should be pumped outside. Well, the reason is, moisture and dampness can only be removed from the inside if it’s heated first. Moisture floats once heated and becomes mist, steam or clouds.

Once in this form, and so long as it remains heated, an extractor fan sucking/blowing will create an air movement that will act as a conveyor belt and the moisture will be removed outside via a duct. However, if at and stage the warm moist air comes in contact with a cold surface before it reaches the outside it will condense and return back to the liquid form.

A few doos and don’ts with moisture:

• Always heat up the room and keep it warm when in use – bathrooms and kitchens etc.
• Always install and use electrical extractors
• Always have a window or other passive vent open (just slightly) to replace air being extracted.
• Never bring wet clothes, especially from the washing machine, in to dry by the fire or heater.
• Never use portable or un-flued gas appliances or heaters.
• Always have the clothes dryer ventilated to the outside.
• Never rely on dehumidifiers. Dehumidifiers are so effective that they can suck damp or moisture laden air from the outside and bring it in.

By Julian Moss – Moss Brothers - I’m the visionary or driving force behind reproduction of the Moss Brothers period replica homes – 04-293-8039 or 0274-575-373 or 0800-266-772.

Obedience School Winner

Well, when I saw this I just had to share it with you.

Next month:

• I’ll include part 4 from Greg – Refrigeration – Fridges and freezers.
• And HRVs (Heat Recovery Ventilator)
• A bottle of wine----a touching story all women will adore

Kind Regards

Julian Moss
For Moss Brothers Ltd.
Franchisor
Call us free - 0800-MOSS-BROS (66-77-27)
Visit our website: www.moss-brothers.co.nz

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