Is Your Home Warm Enough - Even in a Powercut?

Is Your Home Warm Enough - Even in a Powercut?

28 May 2008

BRANZ Energy Scientist, Nigel Isaacs is to give a public lecture on how house occupants might enjoy a warmer home without incurring additional energy costs.

Nigel led the Household Energy End-Use Study (HEEP) which has explored energy use in a wide range of New Zealand homes. The study findings mean for the first time New Zealanders have facts on how, where, why and when they use energy in their homes.

In the talk Nigel will explore how houses are kept warm and how they might be kept even warmer while using less energy: He will address questions, including:

* Will insulating my house save electricity? * Which gives greater savings, good curtains or double glazing? * Can I save electricity and still have a healthy home? * Should I switch from an enclosed wood burner to a heat pump?

Nigel will also explore some of the actions that house occupants can take to lessen the effects of possible electricity shortages, by answering such questions as:

* Which uses more power, a clothes dryer or a heated towel rail? * Does turning off the lights save energy? * What is the impact of the television set-top box on electricity use? * How much do the electricity vampires cost you? * Should incandescent bulbs be banned? * Are halogen lights energy efficient? * Is my fridge costing me too much money?

The answers, based on research in real New Zealand homes, will offer practical help in the preparation for winter as well as develop understanding about the impact each household has on the national electricity supply.

"The threat of a winter electricity shortage in the coming weeks means we need to think carefully about where electricity is used in our homes," said Nigel. "Much of the electricity debate is based on a lack of knowledge. The BRANZ research has opened our eyes and given us new knowledge on how we use energy.

An accomplished public speaker on energy issues, Nigel's talk promises to be both informative and entertaining and he will be available for interviews afterwards.

Details of the lecture:

Date & Time: Thursday 29 May 2.00pm

Location: 2nd floor Wellington Central Library

Speaker: Nigel Isaacs, Principal Scientist Energy & Environment, BRANZ & Teaching Fellow, School of Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington

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