MORE SOLAR, FEWER EMISSIONS Just what we’re after!
Our inhouse solar expert, Dr Muriel Watt, has graphed the increase in solar PV installations in Byron Shire since ZEB was established in 2015.
Here’s the result, showing results from Byron Shire postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482 and 2483, sourced from APVI Solar Map: https://pv-map.apvi.org.au/postcode
Muriel points out that installed capacity has increased from under 10MW to over 35 MW in five years. Newer systems are larger, with systems now typically between 4.5 and 9.5kW.
How to make you home a ‘winter wonderland’?
Be Energy Efficient - and Stay Cosy
First option is to get the whole family to dress for the weather before reaching for the switch. If this is not enough, and you are sitting for long periods, heated throw rugs are a cosy and efficient option because they heat your body not the air. If you are lucky enough to own your home, reverse cycle air conditioners provide the most energy efficient equipment option.
But it is not only what you use but how you use it that saves energy. Approximately every degree away from the ambient temperature adds 10% more electricity being drawn. So set the temperature at around 22- 24 degrees C and use it for short periods of time to take the chill off. Don’t go tropical temps in winter!
Check whatever you are using to provide heating. Close the windows, doors and areas not being used. Consider putting up curtains in hallways to confine the space being heated. Gap sealing is key, even something temporary like cardboard and tape over an air duct or window gap can help keep the heat in. If you own your home, invest in more insulation and if you have a timber floor, check if underfloor insulation could help you.
Energy efficiency comes from a combination of building design, equipment and behaviour. Knowing about energy efficiency is a valuable life skill that we need to teach our kids: it makes a difference to emissions and helps stop climate change.
Switch your energy to Enova to take immediate action on climate change - and support ZEB at the same time! You can switch online here: www.enovaenergy.com.au or
call their friendly local team on (02) 5622 1700.
Quote the code ZEB50
and you’ll receive the choice of $50 credit on your first Enova electricity bill - or Enova will donate $50 to Zero Emissions Byron on your behalf.
Our 'Guide to Native Vegetation Restoration for the Byron region'
ZEB is committed to supporting the drawing-down of carbon in a way that restores Byron Shire forests to as close to its pre-European state as possible. This will also maximise benefits for biodiversity, stabilise and improve soils and increase water quality.
To make this as easy as possible for anyone wanting to start planting - and whether you have a small backyard or hectares of space to plant out - ZEB’s Replant Alliance officer, Wren McLean, worked with high profile local nurseryman Mark Dunphy, from Firewheel Rainforest Nursery, to produce our 'Guide to Restoring Native Vegetation in the Byron Region'.
This simple, comprehensive guide covers Professional Assistance, Site Assessment, Planning, Weeds, Assisted Natural Regeneration, Planting, Maintenance, Planting for Koalas, and Biodiversity Benefits for Agriculture.
ZEB’S EV EXPO Sunday 7 November Yes, we’ve had to postpone this event again. The usual reason. Stay tuned and we’ll let you know more details closer to the time.
But to get you in the mood, for our 2021 EV Expo, we’re asking high school students in the NSW Northern Rivers High to 'Make a Model EV'. Please spread the word and ask your clever kids to show just how smart they are.
The ‘ZEB LOW CARBON LIVING Directory’ - needs you!
Are you a local business which sells products or services to help locals reduce their carbon footprint -- OR do you have a fantastic resource that we can upload or link to on our website?
We’re creating an online directory of businesses and resources in the region to help locals find what they need to reduce their carbon footprint.
Perhaps your business is in energy, buildings, land use, food production, waste or transport. We want readers to be able to easily locate things like -- sources of recycled timber, where to buy an electric bike, the nearest energy coach to help you lower your energy use, accessing the Library of Stuff or the Repair Café, that sort of thing....
