Efficiency of cars unimproved since the 1960s

April 30, 2008

Bureau of Statistics figures show that the fuel efficiency of Australian cars has remained virtually unimproved since 1963. The extra features now standard on most cars, such as air conditioning, electric windows, power-steering, entertainments systems and safety features, mean that the extra size and weight of today’s vehicles has virtually offset any improvements in engine efficiency that have been made in the last 45 years. Transport fuel use, currently accounting for 14 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, is set to increase by 67 per cent of 1990’s levels by 2020 unless improved vehicle technology can stem the increase.

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Sydney’s climate change vulnerability mapped

April 30, 2008

The CSIRO and the Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG) have released an assessment of the impacts of climate change on the city. The project utilised climate change projections and socio-economic data to generate maps of vulnerability to five impacts of climate change:

extreme heat and health effects;
sea level rise and coastal management;
extreme rainfall and storm-water management;
bushfires; and
ecosystems and natural resources.

“The consequences of climate change in Sydney’s coastal region will be driven as much by socio-economic factors and decision making as by climate change hazards” says CSIRO research leader Dr Benjamin Preston.

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Emergency Solar Hot Water, installed in only 3-4 hours

April 14, 2008

The advances in solar hot water allows you to replace your existing hot water system in only 3-4 hours. Government grants are available, up to $2600, subject to some restrictions. A complete system may only cost you just over $1500, plus installation, about the same as for instantaneous gas hot water. It’s a great way to save and reduce your energy bill by up to 37%. Less power used also saves CO2 emissions. Installation of most systems is easy. Just replace the existing tank and connect. So if your current hot water system is worse for wear, or just not working install a Solar Hot Water. It offers the best value of any water or energy saving device. It will have the added bonus of improving the value to a home.

Eco Living Centre offers the widest range of Solar Hot Water options including flat panels, evacuated tubes are heat pumps. They can advise the system best suited to residential or commercial building, and arrange supply and install. Alistair Duncan, Eco Living Centre, says “these systems save money in energy bills, and payback periods can be less than 4 years and the hot water is then free. They can be installed in new or retrofit buildings.“Government subsidies are an added incentive to install a sustainable hot water system. For example, if replacing an existing electric hot water system, Federal and State Government rebates range from $300 to $2,600, depending on the type of unit installed. And we are happy to advise on these rebates when we supply and install. There has never been a better time to install solar hot water.” Duncan said.

Eco Living Centre supplies several technologies and will recommend the right model for any location and usage whether for residential, commercial or in remote situations where there is currently no power. The first option is the traditional Flat Panels, which can either be split with the tank on the ground or in the roof. This system is suitable to connect to electric, gas or LPG back-up. A second option is Evacuated Tubes which are 40% more efficient than flat panels and are easy to install. Their shape ensures optimal efficiency as they passively track the sun and are hail proof. A third option is a Heat Pump, although running on electricity, these provide constant hot water, and are easy and quick to install especially in those situations where the orientation of the building does not allow long hours of sun. They are the best option in multi-storey building due to ease of installation, and ideal for Schools, other community areas and commercial premises.

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Save up to 37% of your energy bills with the stroke of a brush.

April 14, 2008

Eco Living Centre has an easy way to save on your energy bills using Thermilate, a paint additive that insulates with every stroke of the brush. It cuts energy use by up to 37% by reducing heat loss or transfer through your walls or ceilings, thereby reducing the need for air conditioning or heating, and increases your energy rating by up to 50%.

Alistair Duncan, director of Eco Living Centre says ”we recommend Thermilate as part of our energy saving range. It is a truly innovative product, developed as part of NASA Space Shuttle technology exchange programme, scientifically proven and tested by world leading laboratories and government bodies. If painted on the outside, it will help prevent heat build-up, if painted on the inside will help prevent heat-loss by over 3⁰C and in a recent test on a roof in Adelaide a 10⁰C difference was recorded.”

“Conventional insulation products only work by slowing down the rate of heat LOSS through the wall. Thermilate works by helping PREVENT the heat getting to the wall in the first place; giving the same energy benefits even when used on already insulated walls. It is ideal for renovations where it is costly to insulate, or in hard to get places such as vaulted ceilings and can be used wherever paint is applied such as ceilings and walls, exterior walls and roofs, garden sheds, on site sheds, caravans, food transport vehicles, containers, metal cladding” he said. Beside the benefits of energy saving, Thermilate also reduces condensation problems and CO2 emissions, is suitable for domestic or commercial use, is easy to add to any paint or coatings, and is easy to apply. We each produce 11 tons of carbon a year, and the biggest source of CO2 emissions per person is from heating and cooling. Heating and cooling your home accounts for around 1.5 to 2 ton of CO2 emissions per person per year. Thermilate is an exciting new, environmentally friendly product that reduces energy needs thereby reducing CO2 emissions and allowing everyone to do their bit forth environment.