Energy-Efficient Home Renovations in Perth – Builders’ Recommendations

G’day, Perth homeowners! If you’re thinking about giving your place a bit of a spruce up, why not consider making it more energy-efficient while you’re at it?

With our scorching summers and occasional chilly winters, not to mention those ever-rising energy bills, it makes sense to renovate with efficiency in mind.

As a local builder who’s seen more Perth homes than I’ve had hot dinners, I’m here to share some top tips on how to make your renovation not just beautiful, but smart and eco-friendly too.

The Perth Energy Efficiency Revolution

I remember chatting with my neighbor, Sarah, over the fence last summer. She was moaning about her latest electricity bill, which was higher than Optus Stadium. “Mate,” I said, “have you thought about making your home more energy-efficient?”

Fast forward six months, and she’s grinning from ear to ear, showing off her solar panels and new double-glazed windows.

“Best decision I ever made,” she told me, sipping her morning coffee in her now comfortably cool living room.

So, let’s dive into how you can follow in Sarah’s footsteps and make your Perth home a lean, green, energy-efficient machine.

1. Start with a Home Energy Audit

Before you start any renovations, it’s crucial to understand where your home is losing energy:

• Professional assessment: Hire an energy auditor to conduct a thorough assessment.
• DIY audit: Use thermal cameras or even just your hand to feel for drafts around windows and doors.
• Check your bills: Analyse your energy usage patterns over the past year.
• Consider your lifestyle: Think about how you use different areas of your home.

I once worked with a family in Nedlands who thought they needed a complete overhaul of their heating system. After an energy audit, we discovered that simply sealing some air leaks and adding insulation solved most of their problems at a fraction of the cost.

2. Insulation: Your Home’s Best Friend

In Perth’s climate, good insulation is worth its weight in gold:

• Roof and ceiling insulation: This is where you’ll get the biggest bang for your buck.
• Wall insulation: Consider adding insulation to existing walls during renovations.
• Floor insulation: Especially important for older homes with suspended timber floors.
• Choose the right R-value: Ensure your insulation meets or exceeds the recommended R-value for Perth’s climate.

I’ll never forget the time we added proper insulation to a 1970s brick home in Dianella. The owners called me a week later, amazed at how much more comfortable their home was, even during a heatwave.

3. Windows: More Than Just a View

Windows can be a major source of heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter:

• Double glazing: This can significantly reduce heat transfer.
• Low-E glass: Helps reflect heat back to its source, keeping your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
• Window films: A cost-effective option for existing windows.
• Proper sealing: Ensure windows are properly sealed to prevent drafts.

In a recent Cottesloe renovation, we replaced old single-pane windows with double-glazed, low-E ones. The homeowners were thrilled with how much quieter and more comfortable their home became, not to mention the reduction in their energy bills.

4. Harness the Power of the Sun

Perth is one of the sunniest cities in the world, so why not put all that sunshine to good use?

• Solar panels: With our abundant sunshine, solar is a no-brainer for many Perth homes.
• Solar hot water systems: These can significantly reduce your energy usage for water heating.
• Passive solar design: Consider the orientation of your home when planning extensions or major renovations.
• Solar battery storage: While still pricey, these are becoming more affordable and can help you make the most of your solar system.

I worked on a project in City Beach where we completely reoriented the living areas to take advantage of the northern sun. The result? A home that’s naturally warmer in winter and cooler in summer, with lower energy bills to boot.

5. Heating and Cooling: Smarter Systems for Perth’s Climate

Efficient heating and cooling can make a big difference to your energy usage:

• Reverse cycle air conditioning: These systems are generally the most efficient for both heating and cooling in Perth.
• Zoning: Install systems that allow you to heat or cool only the areas you’re using.
• Ceiling fans: These can help circulate air and reduce the need for air conditioning.
• Hydronic heating: While less common in Perth, it can be a very efficient option for heating.

In a Mount Lawley renovation, we installed a zoned reverse cycle system along with ceiling fans. The homeowners loved being able to control the temperature in different areas of the house, and their energy bills dropped significantly.

6. Let There Be (Energy-Efficient) Light

Lighting is an often-overlooked area for energy efficiency:

• LED lighting: Replace old incandescent or even CFL bulbs with LEDs.
• Natural light: Consider skylights or solar tubes to bring more natural light into dark areas.
• Motion sensors: Install these in areas like laundries or pantries.
• Smart lighting systems: These allow you to control your lights remotely and set schedules.

I remember a project in Applecross where we replaced all the halogen downlights with LEDs and added some strategically placed skylights. The home went from feeling dark and cave-like to bright and airy, and the owners saw an immediate drop in their electricity usage.

7. Water Efficiency: Every Drop Counts

In Perth’s dry climate, water efficiency is crucial:

• Water-efficient fixtures: Install low-flow showerheads, dual-flush toilets, and water-efficient taps.
• Greywater systems: Consider installing a system to reuse water from sinks and showers for garden irrigation.
• Rainwater tanks: Even in Perth, a rainwater tank can be useful for garden watering or flushing toilets.
• Drought-tolerant landscaping: Choose native plants that require less water.

I worked on a home in Fremantle where we installed a comprehensive greywater system along with a rainwater tank. The owners now use almost no scheme water for their garden, even in the height of summer.

8. Appliances: Choose Wisely

When renovating, don’t forget about the impact of your appliances:

• Energy ratings: Always check the Energy Star rating when purchasing new appliances.
• Right-sizing: Choose appliances that are the right size for your needs – bigger isn’t always better.
• Smart appliances: These can help you monitor and reduce your energy usage.
• Induction cooktops: These are generally more energy-efficient than gas or traditional electric cooktops.

In a recent kitchen renovation in Subiaco, we installed all high-efficiency appliances, including an induction cooktop. The owners were initially sceptical about induction, but now rave about how quickly it cooks and how little energy it uses.

9. Sealing the Deal: Draught-Proofing

Preventing air leaks can make a big difference to your home’s energy efficiency:

• Weather stripping: Add this around doors and windows.
• Door sweeps: Install these at the bottom of exterior doors.
• Sealing gaps: Use caulk to seal any gaps around pipes or cables entering your home.
• Chimney dampers: If you have a fireplace, ensure it has a well-fitting damper.

I once worked on a beautiful old home in Claremont where simply adding proper weather stripping and sealing some gaps reduced the owners’ heating and cooling costs by almost 20%.

10. Smart Home Technology: The Future is Now

Smart home technology can help you monitor and control your energy usage:

• Smart thermostats: These learn your habits and adjust heating and cooling accordingly.
• Energy monitoring systems: Keep track of your energy usage in real-time.
• Smart power strips: These can reduce standby power consumption.
• Automated blinds or curtains: These can help manage heat gain and loss through windows.

In a recent South Perth renovation, we installed a comprehensive smart home system. The owners love being able to monitor and control their energy usage from their phones, and they’ve seen significant savings on their bills.

11. Maximising Natural Ventilation

Perth’s climate is perfect for making the most of natural ventilation:

• Casement windows: These can be angled to catch breezes.
• Ceiling height: Higher ceilings can help hot air rise and escape.
• Roof vents: These can help hot air escape from your roof space.
• Open plan design: This can help air flow through your home more easily.

I worked on a project in Scarborough where we redesigned the home to maximise cross-ventilation. The owners rarely need to use their air conditioning now, even on hot days.

12. Eco-Friendly Building Materials

Consider the environmental impact of your building materials:

• Recycled materials: Use recycled timber or recycled content materials where possible.
• Low VOC paints and finishes: These are better for indoor air quality and the environment.
• Sustainable timber: Look for FSC-certified wood products.
• Local materials: Choosing locally produced materials can reduce transportation emissions.

In a recent Leederville renovation, we used recycled jarrah floorboards and locally made clay bricks. Not only did this reduce the environmental impact of the renovation, but it also gave the home a unique, characterful feel.

13. Green Roofs and Walls

While still relatively uncommon in Perth, green roofs and walls can provide excellent insulation:

• Extensive green roofs: These lightweight systems can often be retrofitted to existing roofs.
• Intensive green roofs: These heavier systems can create usable rooftop gardens.
• Green walls: These can provide insulation and improve air quality.
• Roof color: Even just painting your roof a light color can help reflect heat.

I worked on a project in West Leederville where we installed a green roof on a new extension. It’s become the owner’s favorite feature, providing insulation, a habitat for local wildlife, and a beautiful outlook from the upper floor.

14. Energy-Efficient Pool and Spa Solutions

If you’re lucky enough to have a pool or spa, don’t forget about energy efficiency:

• Variable speed pumps: These can significantly reduce energy usage.
• Pool covers: These reduce evaporation and heat loss.
• Solar pool heating: Make the most of Perth’s sunshine to heat your pool.
• LED pool lighting: Replace old pool lights with energy-efficient LEDs.

I recently helped a client in City Beach upgrade their pool equipment. The new variable speed pump and solar heating have drastically reduced their energy bills, and they’re able to use their pool comfortably for more of the year.

15. Future-Proofing Your Home

When renovating for energy efficiency, it’s important to think about the future:

• Electric vehicle charging: Consider installing an EV charging point.
• Battery-ready solar: Even if you’re not ready for batteries now, set up your solar system so it’s easy to add them later.
• Adaptable spaces: Create multi-purpose rooms that can change function as your needs evolve.
• Ongoing maintenance: Plan for the ongoing maintenance of your energy-efficient systems.

In a recent Dalkeith renovation, we future-proofed the home by installing a three-phase power supply and pre-wiring for EV charging and battery storage. The owners feel confident that their home is ready for whatever the future brings.

Wrapping It Up

There you have it, Perth homeowners, a comprehensive guide to energy-efficient renovations. Remember, improving your home’s energy efficiency isn’t just about reducing your carbon footprint (although that’s a great reason to do it).

It’s also about creating a more comfortable living environment and potentially saving yourself a bundle on energy bills in the long run.

Every home is different, and what works for a beachside cottage in Cottesloe might not be the best solution for a hills home in Kalamunda.

That’s why it’s so important to start with a thorough assessment of your specific home and needs. And don’t be afraid to get creative – some of the most effective energy-efficient solutions I’ve seen have come from thinking outside the box.

It’s also worth noting that you don’t have to do everything at once. Energy-efficient renovations can be done in stages as your budget allows. Start with the basics like insulation and draught-proofing, and work your way up to more significant changes like solar panels or smart home systems.

And hey, don’t forget about the available rebates and incentives. The WA government and some local councils offer various programs to help homeowners improve their energy efficiency. It’s always worth checking what’s available before you start your renovation.

Lastly, remember that an energy-efficient home is not just a gift to yourself, but to future generations as well. By reducing your energy consumption, you’re doing your bit to help preserve Perth’s beautiful environment for years to come.

So, whether you’re in a character home in Fremantle, a 70s brick and tile in Dianella, or a modern build in Ellenbrook, there are always ways to make your home more energy-efficient. Here’s to cooler summers, warmer winters, lower energy bills, and a greener future for our beautiful city!