Emission Reductions Strategies in Australian

households

Eshan ahuja, Australian National University

eshanahuja1322@gmail.com

Summary• Australia’s residents have modern and energy reliant lifestyles leading to a very high value of

carbon footprint (18.4 tonnes of CO2 / capita/year)(Wikipedia, 2009)• Analyses made why carbon footprints of different households within the same country differ.

Various technologies and strategies have been proposed and later conclusions drawn.• In this report, carbon calculators havebeen used as a tool to determine my per capita carbon

footprint while in the current residence in Australia. It has further been investigated what technologies (heating, cooling, cooking, etc.) arebeing in use which resulted in the present value of carbon footprint. The calculators have been investigated for differences in results and the outcomes have been presented.

• A detailed assessment has been made regarding what conservation and energy efficient strategies can be applied to reduce emissions in the subject’s case.

• The mitigation strategies give present alternative technology changes and the quantitative measure of their impact. The conclusion draws an answer to the research question that what factors contribute towards reduction of emissions and what strategies are most beneficial.

Research Question

While comparing modern/efficient and inefficient households what is the difference in CO2 emissions .What diffrence can be achived in emission reductions after applying conservation and energy efficiency strategies to energy inefficient households in Australia ?

Carbon footprint calculatorsThe Carbon Footprint Calculator is a tool to measure one’s carbon footprints which helps to improvise our lifestyle choices.

Energy Consumption in Househlods

Characteristics of different carbon calculators

Calculator CharacteristicsTonnes of CO2 emissions/yr Reasons for differences

Carbon Neutral It’s a non-profit solution providing organization. Accurate, Requires more details. Emission factors based on methodologies of Commonwealth National Carbon offset standard. Gives results in form of 3 scope taking data from climate change department, CISRO and Australian Bureau of Statistics

12.43 Accounts for 5 different factors to calculate final valueOther sources like use of paper are also considered.

Origin meter Origin Energy a green energy based investing firm established in 2000 with an ORIGIN FOUNDATION to support & encourage use of energy efficient appliances.Covers fewer areas

11.82

Different benchmarks.Takes in average values instead of exact ones for electricity and gas consumption values.Gives the results for energy consumption by appliance as well as on the room basis.

Efficient & inefficient householdsTable shows some explanations regarding my new and old households and

the technologies they implemented & their possible impacts.Sources(kwh/yr)

Watson St ACT(old residence)

Lowanna St ACT current residence

Differences in carbon footprints

Insulation CeilingWalls floor

Complete insulation Ceiling only Causes more load on heat syst leading high energy consumption in case of later.

Heating systemCooling system

Electricity rev cycle(not ducted)Air conditioner rev cycle

Electric fan / radiator:Air conditioner standard

Reverse cycle systems have a very high efficiency compared to the later

Hot water service electric instant &30% heated by solar

Electric large (o/p) Use of solar heater reduces emissions

Washing machine & dryer Front loader that heats its own water *** 191 kwh/yr.

Top loader that heats its own water *** 218kwh/yr.

Top loader type is 15% less efficient than front loaders.

Dishwasher Standard***184 kwh/yr + water consumption ,

Standard** 294 kwh/yr.

Later one consumes more energy, drying efficiency <60%

Lighting-incandescentCFL)@Hrs. daily

9 CFC @ 4 Hrs. Daily 6 incandescent ones @ 5 Hrs. daily CFL can last 8 times longer.Consume 75 % < incandescent

Refrigerator quantity & type 1 normal compressor*** 130kwh/yr.

2 normal compressor** star 279 kwh/yr.

No. of fridges and their energy consumption was more in the case of later

Standard oven & microwave Fan forced oven & microwave Standard oven & microwave Fan forced type are 15 % more efficient than standard ones.

Laptop & TV 2 LAP & 1 T.V ( LED )**** 171 kwh/yr.

2LAP & 2 T.V(LCD)*** 246 kwh/yr.

LED appliances consume less energy than LCD

Expenditure on Food + Alcohol Non- Vegetarian40 $ + 0 $Per week

Non-Vegetarian77 $ + 35 $Per week

Use of tin, canned, frozen, exported food, alcohol consumption is high in case of later.

Wastage%/ yr.

18 7 half as compared to Watson Residence.

CO₂ emissions reduced/year

SourcesPotential reduction of CO2

Emissions Ton/yr

Heating & cooling systems 2.973

Energy guzzlers (washing machine ,

dryer dishwasher, refrigerator)1.889

Moderate intensity (microwave, TV ,

other small appliances)0.676

Lighting 0.336

Food habits 1.483

Total Emissions Reduced 7.357

Mitigation Strategy

After a detailed analysis of my carbon footprint calculation at my current Residence (Lowanna St) I have formulated a mitigation strategy. These strategies have been divided into three major strategies:

• Strategy no- 1• Strategy no- 2• Strategy no- 3

Strategy no- 1

Energy Sources Proposed Mitigation Strategy Benefits Barriers to implementation

Insulation Canberra’s minimum insulation levels (total R-values) requirements are Roof/ceiling –4.1wall-2.8

Reductions up to 65 % on CO2emissions with wall & ceiling insulation.

High capital costs

Fridges & Freezers Make sure the seals on your fridge are clean and that the door closes properly. Fridge settings between 3°C-4°C and freezer 15°C-18°C***

Significant reduction in CO2 Footprints High costsReluctance to change habits

Washing m/c & dryer selecting the cold washdo not overload ***

saves a lot of power, Public awareness

T.V & laptops Turn off if not in use ***

Reductions up to 150 kg of GHG / yr. More vigilance required

Air conditioning Set cooling between 23°C - 26°C.It’s better to use fans instead of air conditioners or with them. ***1/2

Fans spread cool air to help clear out hot air. window help maintain natural ventilation and air flow

Requires change in habits

Heating system Set heating between 18 ºC and 21ºC.Anefficient ducted system

3/4th of total heat loss can be preventedSubstantial amount of savings in running costs

Space heating Economical only when small areas of the house are being used.

Hot water system While buying preference be given to solar hot water systems. Set the system between 60°C - 65°C. Use of AAA-rated water shower rose. Fix leaking taps and insulate water pipes

Govt. incentives & rebates reduction in CO2 On a sunny day a solar system can save more than 3/4 th of the hot water costs

People have tendency to not care for energy waste. Changing this will be a big challenge

Dishwasher Run the dishwasher when full Use the economy settings and let dishes air-dry ***1/2

Energy and water savings High capital costs

Lighting Install programmable timers & motion sensorsuse lightings such asCFC’s or LED’s

Long term savings High cost Change of habits required

Microwaves Prefer Microwaves over standard ovens***

can cook food 3 times faster & can save up to 70% electricity

Expensive to purchase

Strategy no- 2bar chart demonstrates the average energy production by a 3KW solar panel

if used in a household located in ACT, Australia

Strategy no- 3

The primary elements of this strategy involve the requirement of lifestyle and behavioural changes, energy awareness of people and the initiation of a home savings program. The following are the major elements of that strategy:

Conclusions

The emissions that can be reduced based on these strategies equal an approximate 7.357 tons of CO2/year per person (see comparison efficient and inefficient homes). The following pie chart represents the carbon emitting sources and the percentage of reduction in the carbon emissions after the implementation of the strategies.

Conclusionscontd…

The potential savings based on mitigation strategies, It

is concluded that one strategy alone cannot have

desired effects due to social and economic barriers. A

blend of all strategies synergize the effect of one and

thus lead to higher reductions in emissions.

This presentation was the essence of the report submitted by Eshan Ahuja, at Australian National University, Canberra, as a part of Project report in his completing Master of Climate Change.

thank you

eshan ahuja,Australian National University,

Canberra, Australia