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Author: isoadmin

Top 5 Home Energy Saving Gadgets

Written by isoadmin on . Posted in Residents.

From smart locks to automated lighting systems, energy-saving appliances and home automation have completely changed the way we live our lives. Smart devices can save us money and time and make our homes more comfortable, convenient, and energy-efficient! With the ability to be in control at the touch of a button, home automation systems have the potential to make our lives easier than ever.

What are smart home devices and how do they work?
Smart devices use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 3G to link to other devices in order to control heating, lighting, entertainment, and home security. You can control these devices by remote control, smartphone, and some gadgets can even be operated by voice (such as with Google Home and Amazon’s Echo).

What is home automation?
Home automation is anything that enables you to use your heating, lighting, and appliances more efficiently and conveniently. This ranges from automatically controlling your lights to a full system that custom controls the majority of your home.

1. Smart Thermostats
These energy-saving devices regulate the temperature in your home and provide comfort without energy wastage. Smart thermostats are adjusted using your smartphone or computer, even when you’re away from your home. Use these gadgets to operate heating and cooling around your home. For example, by interlinking the thermostat with your air conditioning, you can program your machine to turn on or off depending on the temperature.

2. Smart Fridges
From the touchscreen, you can control your groceries, calendars, notes, and photos. The cameras inside the fridge connect to your phone, allowing you to see what you have inside. You eliminate wastage by receiving notifications when something expires soon, and you can order food directly from the app on the screen.

3. Smart Lighting
Smart lighting saves energy and increases convenience. This is because smart bulbs use less power, last longer, and are easily controlled. Using scheduled timers and mobile device controls make smart lighting convenient. It’s also a great way to save money on your energy bills!

4. Virtual Assistants
Virtual assistants, like Alexa or Siri, connect to your smart gadgets. These include your lights, thermostat, security system, and entertainment centre. Using voice commands, you can turn your lights or television on and off, among a number of other actions.

5. Smart Locks
Smart locks use your smartphone as the key. You control who has access to your home and you can see who has used the lock. Some locks have to be installed, but there are some which fit over your existing lock.

How to keep your energy bills down this Winter

Written by isoadmin on . Posted in Residents.

As the cooler weather approaches, energy use in the home starts to increase and eventually spike, often resulting in increased energy bills. On average, energy use increases up to 20% during the winter months, a financial burden that Aussie homeowners might forget to factor into their monthly or quarterly outgoings. Here are some energy-saving tips to help you avoid high energy bills and ultimately, be environmentally cautious.

1. Take shorter showers
Did you know that hot water is one of the biggest users of electricity in your home? According to the Riverina Water County Council, the average daily water consumption in Australia is 340 litres per person. By reducing your time in the shower, the amount of water used per day will decrease dramatically. Also, choosing showers instead of baths will help to reduce your water consumption by up to 40%.

2. Only heat the areas that need to be heated
Heating and cooling are notorious for using the most amount of household energy throughout the year. With up to 40% of overall energy consumption in average Australian households being accumulated by heating, the best way to reduce this amount is through only heating the areas that you use the most. You should also close windows and doors to ensure that heat doesn’t escape. Reducing the time you heat your home by one hour a day can save up to 90 hours of heating over the winter.

3. Insulate your house
Insulating your home this winter is a great way to stay warm and avoid high energy bills. As installing or upgrading installation systems in your home retains heat and reduces the ability for it to escape, it can decrease energy bills up to half or can reduce your overall costs by 40 – 50%.

4. Smart Homes
The installation of the smart home technology within your home provides an efficient and environmentally friendly way to reduce your energy consumption in winter. This installation gives each house owner the opportunity to control their energy usage through mobile devices, rather than adjusting it manually. It reduces the amount of wasted energy on heating and cooling, as owners can regulate their house temperature no matter where they are. Also, with lighting and appliance usage leaving a large carbon footprint, smart homes allow you to reduce electrical consumption and provide a smarter way to manage home appliances.

Smart Meters: The Future of Energy

Written by isoadmin on . Posted in Recent, Residents.

Smart meters are changing all we know about our energy consumption, giving you control of your electricity bills. As well as giving you the power to manage your energy usage, smart metering allows you to have correct meter readings and more accurate bills. With smart metering installed you’ll get complete visibility of your energy usage at your fingertips through an app and online portal.

Smart Meters Explained
Smart meters are power-monitoring devices that replace traditional electricity meters and provide you (and your energy retailer) with near-real-time insight into your energy usage.

What are the Benefits?
Energy Distributor & Retailer Assistance:
They allow energy retailers to analyse consumer energy consumption and offer more efficient products and services to assist in the reduction of usage. They can also help to monitor the quality of your electrical supply and identify the cause of outages quicker.

Real-time Usage Information:
Smart meters provide almost real-time usage information as it regulates data every 30 minutes. This information is accurate and allows customers to understand their usage and adjust accordingly to reduce monthly energy charges.

Detecting Wastage:
With the introduction of smart meters into Australian homes, consumers have the ability to detect any wastage and optimise energy consumption. This allows customers to adjust habits in order to lower electricity bills.

Around The World

India:
Under its ‘Smart City’ Initiatives, India seeks to install 130 million meters by 2021. It was made mandatory by the government to install smart infrastructure for consumers who experience monthly electricity consumption of 500 units or more by December 2017, however, this requirement had been updated to those with monthly consumption of about 200 units by the end 2019.

The United States:
In 2009, projects began to introduce smart metering to US consumers, with 9.6 million being installed around the country. By 2014, approximately 16.3 million smart meters were deployed within residential, commercial and industrial sectors. The United States is expected to install approximately 90 million smart meters into homes by 2020.

China:
China is the world’s largest market for electricity infrastructure development and smart grid technologies. The nation is expected to account for over 24 per cent of the global smart grid market at around $96 billion by the end of 2020.

How to Increase Energy Efficiency in Your Office

Written by isoadmin on . Posted in Recent, Residents.

All the technology and equipment used in the office today – from computers to scanners to smartphone chargers – all drive up the energy bill. If you own or rent office space, it’s time you take an active role in improving the efficiency of your space. Whether you’re overusing the heater or air conditioner or using inefficient lighting, there are numerous ways that you can improve your energy efficiency, save costs and help the environment.

Upgrade to LED Lighting

According to the department of energy, LEDs utilise 75% less energy than halogen light bulbs and lasts 5-10 times longer. By upgrading to LED lighting, you can save thousands in operating expenses. Try to avoid using regular lighting and switch to LED lighting to save costs and increase efficiency.

Use Energy-efficient Appliances

Using appliances can save you time, money and the environment! By replacing older model appliances such as a refrigerator with newer energy-efficient models, can allow for less energy being used. Switch to new and improved energy-efficient appliances to reduce your impact on the environment, also by finding appliances with high energy star rating can allow for the reduction in energy and costs.

Control your Heating and Cooling

According to HVAC Energy breakdown factsheet, Heating Ventilation and Air Condition is generally responsible for a significant proportion of total building energy consumption. Try to avoid using too much of one than the other, rather control and balance the usage of heating and cooling.

Do An Energy Audit

If you don’t know the amount of total energy you are using, then costs may rise. Conducting an Energy Audit is the inspection of energy flows usage across electricity, water and gas. Customers may use more electricity than expected without even knowing!

Combine these tips to increase energy efficiency in your building and reduce your carbon footprint. It’s the little things that create a difference in the preservation of the environment!

5 Energy-Saving Tips for Summer

Written by isoadmin on . Posted in Recent, Residents.

While we all look forward to the Australian summer, higher energy bills are always a dread. Whether you’re running your air conditioning more often or using more water to take showers, energy-saving tips can help your pocket and of course, the environment! Check out our top energy saving tips to save power and help prevent power bill shock this summer.

1. Use windows to regulate temperature

If you live in a climate where it cools off at night, be sure to switch off your air conditioner or fan and open your windows while sleeping. When you wake in the morning, shut the windows and blinds to capture the cool air. This ensures you won’t have to turn on the air conditioning straight away.

2. Use less hot water

According to the Department of the Environment and Energy, a fifth of the energy you use goes towards heating water. Try avoiding using hot water for house chores like washing the dishes or doing the laundry. Also, limiting your daily shower time to four minutes could save you up to $28 annually!

3. Use your air conditioner timer

According to Canstar Blue, 69% of Australians believe air conditioning is the largest contributor to their power bills. While it’s certainly true that air conditioners can consume enormous amounts of electricity, it depends on how, and how often, they are used. Be sure to use the timer to turn your unit off as you sleep. It also pays to figure out when the hottest periods of the day occur. Use the timer to activate the unit only during those periods.

4. Take advantage of natural light

The average Australian home uses 6% of its energy to power the lights. Many spend a great deal more than they need to because they use their lights inefficiently. Be sure to take advantage of daylight instead of artificial lighting. You can also use solar lights in your garden, as these gather solar energy during the day for use at night, requiring no external power source.

5. Avoid heating your home with appliances

On hot days, avoid using the oven and instead cook on the stove or a grill outside. You should also consider minimising activities that generate a lot of heat, such as running a computer, running a dishwasher, and using hot devices such as curling irons or hair dryers. Even stereos and televisions will add some heat to your home.

Combine these tips to create a cost-efficient summer energy-saving strategy. It’s simple actions and new habits that will make a difference!

How to Save on Energy and Water Bills

Written by isoadmin on . Posted in Latest News, Residents.

July of this year will mark two utility increases that Australian households are certain to be dreading.  Water will increase by 3.5%, and electricity prices are set to increase by up to 18%.

It’s no secret that water is one of the most important resources we have. Likewise, electricity is an essential part of modern life. Yet, utility prices continue to soar.

A recent survey by Beyond Bank revealed that one in four Australians are struggling to cope with rising living costs.

Further concerning is the warning issued by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). They’ve warned that the average household electricity bill could increase by another 20% next year.

The good news is that there are many affordable ways to reduce your water and energy consumption.

1. If you are an Arc Energy customer – you will be pleased to know that our rates have only moved down over the last three years because of our smart buying methods and ability to gauge the market trends.

2.We also install in all our embedded apartments a smart app monitoring device (smart homes) to help our occupants change bad energy usage habits

3.An Arc Energy Central system operates 30% more efficiently than the brands used by our competitors  

If you are not an Arc Energy customer then you should be doing the following:-

1.Contact Your Utility Provider

If you’ve been with the same energy provider for a while, it’s always a good idea to call and ask them if they can give you a better deal.

Energy is an essential service and retailers are legally required to offer help to customers struggling to make payments.

Ask your provider about the best plan for you and whether payment plans are available. Plus, there are government assistance programs like power-saving bonuses, voucher schemes, and energy rebates.

Your water supplier may also be able to provide a payment plan in times of financial difficulty. If they are unable to provide a payment plan, the Water Payment Assistance Scheme (PAS) can help eligible customers receive water credits.

2. Fix Leaks ASAP 

Seal air leaks around doors and windows through caulking or weather-stripping. Sealing these leaks will help keep warm air inside your home during winter and cool air inside during summer.

Check your faucets for leaks. A leaky faucet can waste litres of water per week. However, fixing leaks is cheap and easy with tools most people already have at home.

3.Install Energy and Water Efficient Appliances 

LEDs can use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. So you’ll save money on replacements.

According to energy.gov.au, by replacing 10 halogen light bulbs with LEDs, an average household can expect to save around $650 over 10 years on their electricity bill.

To save on water, install low-flow faucets and showerheads at home. Dual-flush toilets can save a family of four up to 35,000 litres of water a year.

4.Turn Off Lights When Not in Use

Many people leave lights on in unused rooms or forget to turn them off when they leave. It’s especially important to remember this if you have kids who like to play with light switches and faucets.

5. Unplug Appliances When Not in Use

If you aren’t using an appliance, unplug it. This includes your computer, television, microwave oven, and coffeemaker. When appliances are plugged in but not running, they still use energy.

Some devices even continue to draw energy even when they’re plugged into an outlet that isn’t switched on. You may want to plug these things into power strips and switch the strips off when you aren’t using them.

6. Rainwater Harvesting 

Due to the rising cost of water and drought-stricken areas in many parts of Australia, people are starting to look into other options such as rainwater harvesting or even recycling grey water.

While rainwater tanks will have upfront and maintenance costs, rebates for water tanks are available from the Australian government. Rebate amounts depend on tank volume and other factors.

7.   Use Household Appliances Efficiently

If you have an older refrigerator or freezer that doesn’t have an energy saver feature, consider replacing it with one that does — especially if it’s more than 10 years old. Only use your dishwasher and washing machine with full loads to optimise water usage.

It’s obvious that elevated electricity and water prices are becoming the norm. However, that doesn’t mean your household bills need to go through the roof. For further savings contact Arc Energy to help you insulate and improve your efficiency.

How to make your Home more Eco-Friendly

Written by isoadmin on . Posted in Latest News, Residents.

Be more energy conscious

With more than one-third of Australia’s carbon emissions coming from energy usage in the home, now is the time to re-evaluate your energy consumption. Becoming more energy conscious is as simple as turning off lights in empty rooms, shutting down computers from the source and unplugging unused appliances.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a living space where there’s abundant natural light, use it. On a sunny day, you might not need to turn on the lights at all in areas where windows can give all the illumination you need. Natural resources such as light and cool air will also help you cool and heat areas of your home so you can decrease your dependence on your air conditioner or electric heater.

Another helpful tip to be more energy conscious is preventing “phantom energy” which is the energy that is used by equipment that remains plugged in but not in use. This might include your kettle, toaster, phone charger and sound system.

Go Green

Whether you have an outdoor space filled with an extensive range of plants and shrubs, or a small herb garden on your balcony, consider upgrading your green space with the addition of a compost area.

Rather than throwing your food scraps in the bin, collect them for your compost scheme instead. It’s an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint and the compost is great to spread over your garden bed to encourage the growth of your plants.

If your home isn’t really equipped for a composting space or an outdoor garden, bring the greenery inside instead. Introducing indoor plants to your living space will improve the air quality of your home; simultaneously you’re doing your bit for the planet and reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Use Energy-efficient Appliances

Household appliances and equipment account for about 33% of energy consumption and about 45% of greenhouse gas emissions in the average household. The Australian government identifies high-efficiency appliances and other household products with the Energy Rating label. The program originated as a way to reduce energy waste and pollution by educating consumers on the most efficient and technologically advanced models, with the added bonus of saving them money on energy costs.

From April 2020, the government also introduced zoned energy rating labels for air conditioners. While the old labels simply provided a star energy rating for an air conditioner when used in heating or cooling mode, the new air conditioner labels provide more information including the difference in the energy efficiency of each model of air conditioner across three climate zones and estimated annual energy consumption of each model within these three zones.

Investing in an energy-efficient appliance may cost more upfront, but your reduced energy bills will save you much more in the long run. For example: If you have a fridge over 10 years old, it might be time to upgrade as today’s fridges use about 40% less energy than those made 10 years ago. Think about the cost savings and of course, reducing your energy consumption.

Embedded Networks for Developers and Residents

Written by isoadmin on . Posted in Commercial and Developers, Recent, Residents.

Saving developers time and money from design to construction, providing lower utility rates, and even leaving behind a clean, green footprint for the environment may sound too good to be true, but it isn’t. It’s what embedded networks are all about.

Put simply, an embedded network is a site where energy, hot water and other utilities are set up in a way that allows the building to purchase in bulk and then sell to occupants at a competitive rate. Embedded networks benefit everyone associated with the building, from developers to owners corporations, and most importantly, to the end-user.

Developers
For developers who construct and move on from each building, embedded networks can reduce capital costs, as Arc Energy Group supplies and installs the infrastructure for the embedded network. Partnering with Arc Energy Group also provides developers with a positive legacy to their development, as Arc Energy Group supplies renewable solutions including, Solar PV, EV charging stations and Smart Metering. Having renewable solutions also contributes towards attaining a higher Green Star energy rating that can be used in promotion of sustainability standing. This helps developments become more marketable and essentially increases their value.

Strata Companies and Building Owners
The key advantage to the building owners in an electrical embedded network is the potential to earn a surplus between the wholesale supply cost of electricity to the building and the retail sale price to occupiers. When a surplus is earned, this can be applied to cover the cost of Common Area electricity, maintenance, levy reduction or for any other building related purpose. This immediately brings down the cost to the owners of running the building.

Tenants and Residents
Because embedded networks create a buying group that buys energy at wholesale rates, the group can also pass those savings on, offering attractive rates to tenants and residents. Saving on electricity, gas, and hot water is important to most people, but just as big a benefit for many people is not having to worry about connections when moving in or out of a building. What’s more, residents will have access to smart metering systems to better manage, control and reduce their energy usage.

Get in touch today to learn more about our solutions.

The future is electric and it’s NOW

Written by isoadmin on . Posted in Commercial and Developers, Recent.

While the rest of the world charges ahead, Australia’s Electric Vehicle market is just taking off.
Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz announced its aim to have plug-in hybrid or pure-electric vehicles constitute over 50% of car sales by 2030. It’s not just the rest of the world moving in this direction, Arc Energy has noticed a distinct surge in property investors and tenants enquiring about EV Vehicle Infrastructure in new developments.

By 2030, 3 out of 10 vehicles will be electric. It is, therefore, becoming increasingly important for developers to consider the future needs of their residents by providing them with these future-proof solutions.

Did you know your development can obtain a higher Green Star rating by allocating as little as 5% of car park space to EV vehicles?

This rating provides an excellent pathway to improving sustainability and future-proofing your development. Installing EV charging stations can also bring both financial and environmental benefits including:
– Attracting new and repeat customers
– Increasing the property’s value
– Boosting Customer Satisfaction
– Achieving Sustainability Goals
– Establishing your brand as a green leader

If you’re in the planning or building stages of your development and haven’t considered installing EV Charging stations, the time to act is now. Get in touch to learn more about how Arc Energy Group can future-proof your development with our suite of renewable energy solutions.

The Arc Energy Embedded Network. Our Difference

Written by isoadmin on . Posted in Commercial and Developers, Recent.

The Arc Energy Embedded Network has become one of the most trusted and advanced embedded network models in Australia. Since its beginning, Arc Energy Group has developed a reputation for being the most reliable source for dealing with key stakeholders such as strata companies, governance and compliance organisations, hydraulic and electrical consultancy firms, as well as having a reach with authorities that far exceeds any other embedded network operators.

Arc Energy Group has worked with the Roads and Maritimes Services Union, Zinfra, Ausgrid, Jemena and understand the basic requirements if assistance is needed. We have become the go-to industry experts when it comes to managed networks. Arc Energy Group is only one of a handful to be a licensed energy retailer approved by the Australian Energy Regulator.

Our credentials include being awarded and acknowledged by the Urban Development Institute of Australia. Over the last year, Arc Energy Group has become the fastest-growing company in the energy aggregated space. What has allowed us to reach this standard is our dedication to innovation, quality and strong partnerships with industry leaders.

Driven by our ambition to make our contribution to seamless joint progress, Arc Energy Group addresses the challenges of assessing, reducing and controlling energy. We offer developers a range of embedded network solutions to ensure their electrical, hot water and/or NBN embedded networks are implemented correctly and within project constraints.

Our integrated, high-performance products and services are innovative, sustainable and future-proof. These products and services extend beyond the supply of energy to facilitate the development of new uses and promote new ways of living and working.

Our professional and innovative team is dedicated to challenging Australia’s incumbent energy paradigm and advancing progressive technologies for the betterment of our society. Dedicated to sustainability and renewable energy, our core business is the provision of specialised engineering services in the renewable energy sector and the aggregation of energy generating and energy-saving services. Our holistic approach ensures an optimised solution that delivers maximum benefits to our clients.

Our in-depth technical, engineering and installation capability ensures our services can be tailored to any project. Our focus is on optimising assets, from the early stages of site selection and feasibility, right through to billing and support, to ensure the optimal level of production, efficiency and profitability.

The power is in your hands. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help optimise your project.