Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency

Energy efficient design is about creating homes that are comfortable for people to live in all year round. That is, naturally cool in summer and warm in winter without the need for costly and time consuming energy sources. Temperature and light are maintained at comfortable levels with a minimum requirement for active systems such as heaters, air conditioners and daytime lighting.

Using energy efficiently is the best way to reduce energy bills and environmental impacts while maintaining or even improving comfort levels. Some solutions cost nothing at all and most investments in energy efficiency pay for themselves through lower energy bills.

Energy efficiency has many benefits for home owners:

  • you will use less energy through energy efficient design and reduce greenhouse gases
  • you will save money if the sun heats and lights your home, as your power bills will be significantly reduced
  • your home will require less effort to heat if you use passive design features as tasks such as wood stacking and splitting will be significantly reduced.

More information

Home Energy Audit Toolkit (HEAT)

You can check your home's energy use with a Home Energy Audit Toolkit (HEAT). Hobart residents can borrow these for free from the Hobart Council Centre.

HEAT was developed by the City of Hobart to suit our local climate at 42 degrees south and typical housing types. It has practical and inexpensive suggestions to help reduce your energy use, and tools to help you identify where your money is being spent and can be saved!

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Energy Efficiency Design Guidelines

The City of Hobart developed this resource to promote understanding of how to achieve energy efficiency during the building design stage. The practice of energy efficient design will help reduce demand on non-renewable energy resources consumed by the heating and cooling of buildings.

Energy Efficiency Design Guidelines(PDF, 534KB)

Australian Solar Energy Society

The Solar Design Series for Hobart's cool temperate climates, was produced by the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Solar Energy Society with support from the City of Hobart's Dr. Edward Hall Environment Grant program.

Passive solar design(PDF, 1MB)

Construction details(PDF, 622KB)

Solar atlas for Tasmania(PDF, 497KB)

Tasmanian Climate Change Office

Leading the Tasmanian Government's response to the challenges and opportunities of a changing climate, the Tasmanian Climate Change Office also provides a range of information on how you can reduce your carbon footprint.

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Your Home

An Australian Government guide to environmentally sustainable homes. Find a suite of consumer and technical guide materials and tools developed to encourage the design, construction or renovation of homes to be comfortable, healthy and more environmentally sustainable.

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