13. Rug up

For this weeks’ #52climatesolutions, we ask you to rug up. Save energy (and money), and get creative about staying warm.

Nearly three-quarters of all the energy produced by humanity ends up as wasted heat. In Australia, many homes are not designed to utilise passive solar principles. Incoming solar radiation that could be used to heat us and our homes, is often under-utilised. This means that most houses in Australia rely on external power (often fossil-fuel derived) for heating and cooling. Did you know that air conditioners and fans make up c. 10% of global energy consumption? Ironically, in some urban areas, the air-conditioning can drive up the atmospheric temperatures, driving demand for more cooling, in a vicious cycle. The knowledge exists for designing houses (and gardens) for function and comfort in smart, low-tech ways, but is generally ignored.

If your home loses heat easily and you find yourself cranking the heater, maybe your electricity bill is frighteningly large? The optimal temperature for air conditioner heating in Winter is c. 17-21 degrees C., the warmer end being for cooler areas of Australia. But these temps allow you to be comfortable whilst hanging out in your t-shirt and undies in the middle of Winter. Heaters are one of modern life’s conveniences, and so it is easy to forget that we don’t have to turn the heat right up. We can elevate the priority to reduce our energy consumption, for positive climate action.

So, for this weeks’ #52climatesolutions, we ask you to rug up. Save energy (and money) by turning your heater down a degree (or more) - then pop on your slippers, comfs, beanie, or scarf. Don’t forget to make yourself a warm drink, too. Invest in some nice slippers and snuggle under warm blanket. Cuddle up with a loved one, or warm up by going for a brisk walk! Reverse the direction on ceiling fans to push heat downwards. Longer-term, you might consider other ways to help your house retain heat (or stay cool in summer) including heavier drapes, window treatments, rugs, draught-stoppers, wall/ceiling/underfloor insulation and strategic garden plantings. These solutions will all have the added bonus of saving you money, which is an important consideration for so many of us right now.

And if you live somewhere that is presently hot, turn down the aircon, and find a cross-breeze, have an icy drink, a cool washcloth on your neck, and chill out.

Keep reading for some great resources for creating a sustainably cosy home, colouring printable, and an electricity audit activity.