Page 240 - Week 01 - Thursday, 18 February 1993
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
technology at the Erindale Centre, we are achieving ongoing savings to the ACT budget every year of $265,000. That is a dramatic saving occurring every year, meaning that the full cost of the energy technology investment has been repaid in about 15 months. On top of that, we are saving over a quarter of a million dollars per annum indefinitely.
Because priority has been given to those projects which achieve the best savings, savings from future work will be less dramatic but will still be very worth while. Hidden benefits of the program, which depend on the types of controls installed, include far more accurate temperature conditions in buildings, fresher air in buildings for occupational health and safety, and an ability to find long-term and costly pre-existing faults in buildings. New buildings being constructed and buildings undergoing major refurbishment are being fitted with the most appropriate energy controls. The South Building, which will be the future home of the Assembly, will benefit from the experience.
Our government program has shown the benefits of considerable savings in energy management. It has also highlighted the potential for even greater savings if energy conservations are designed into new buildings, such as better insulation, double glazing, airlocks at entrances, the avoidance of cathedral ceilings and glass atriums, and siting to gain maximum benefit from winter sun and minimise the effects of summer sun. In general, these features cannot be added to existing buildings. We consider that the savings of up to 30 per cent which can be achieved in existing buildings could be doubled by careful design in new buildings; that is, total savings of up to 60 per cent in energy costs in new buildings compared with existing buildings.
This program is demonstrating the considerable savings available in an energy management program. These savings can be achieved just as easily by the home and commercial building owner. I am pleased that the unit that has prepared this work within the ACT Government is in a position now where it is able to contract out its services to the private sector to provide this sort of expertise, which is simply not available on the private market. Examples of relatively easily achieved energy savings for existing buildings include switching off lights, additional roof insulation, improving curtains, and use of high efficiency lighting - all cheap measures. Examples of energy saving features which can be readily incorporated into new buildings include siting to achieve maximum winter heating and minimise summer heat, double glazing, wall insulation, and providing adequate mass for heat storage - for example, solid brick construction.
The Department of the Environment, Land and Planning has taken complementary action through the preparation of energy guidelines by the ACT Planning Authority. These guidelines will require the submission of energy audits for residential subdivisions of more than 50 blocks, measured against a five-star scheme. Mr Wood has explained that previously to the Assembly. Energy conservation plans will also be required for buildings of more than 2,000 square metres of gross floor area. This information will be considered by the Planning Authority as part of the approvals process. An energy efficient housing design competition has been initiated by the Department of the Environment, Land and Planning which will raise public awareness of the benefits to be obtained from energy efficient housing designs. Of course, ACTEW has produced an energy efficient house, and various members of the Assembly were photographed in the bathroom recently. The need for energy savings, for both environmental and budgetary reasons, is well known and documented.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .