Análisis del servicio de apoyo a estudiantes con discapacidad

Water supply and water heating functions were important to comfort and energy use in participants’ dwellings. Every case study dwelling was supplied with water from the Glenorchy mains water supply. Additionally, Terry, Trent, Troy and Nat, and Vanessa and Paul had water tanks in their yards.

Water supply

Despite a drought on the east coast of Tasmania in 2008, greater Hobart had adequate supplies of water, so residents were not officially required to restrict their water use and therefore were poorly-practised at conserving it. Nevertheless, participants were aware of the importance of conserving water and made efforts to limit their use. With a belief that water should be conserved, Troy and Nat, and Vanessa and Paul had

111 _{LEDs were only just becoming available in affordable standard fittings in 2008 and were not yet in}

planned, purchased and installed water tanks during the time they were engaged in this research. There were no rebates for the installation of the tanks however, which Vanessa found frustrating.112 Despite water conservation being widely practiced in mainland Australian states, Vanessa and Paul observed that it was not a high priority in their local community or in Tasmania more broadly.113 Indeed, in 2008

responsibility and infrastructure for water supply in Hobart was being taken from councils and being given to, Southern Water, a new organisation that would mange water supply in large districts (LGFG, SGFG October 2007, May 2008). With the changeover to Southern Water infrastructure was being upgraded, infrastructure costs increased, water meters were installed114 and real water costs rose. Cost increases consequently began to affect the affordability of water supply in low-income households.

Water heating

Water heating has a critical influence on energy use and comfort in dwellings. Federal government modelling showed water heating was approximately 14 per cent (2.3 pj of a total of 16.4pj) of Tasmania’s total residential energy use in 2008 and would be approximately the same in 2012 (2.2 pj of a total of 16.2pj in 2012) (Energy Efficient Strategies 2008: 35). In participant dwellings water was heated through electric element hot water (EEHW) systems, solar hot water (SHW) systems and heat pump hot water (HPHW) systems (Appendix P, Table P-1). No participants had gas instantaneous, or electric instantaneous systems.

Single EEHW are common in Tasmanian houses. The system heats water using an electrically heated element in the water tank. EEHW use a lot of electricity to maintain the temperature of the water so are currently being phased out in mainland Australia, but are still available in Tasmania (Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency 2013). Nine householders used EEHW

112 _{Vanessa and Paul’s renovation story in Appendix T, Table T-5 relates the installation of their water}

tanks and the problems they faced.

113 _{I also made this comparison when I moved to Tasmania in 2006. Mainland Australian towns more}

regularly places water restrictions on their residents.

systems. Four systems were positioned outside houses and five were positioned in laundries or in under-house spaces. The tank’s limited insulation means that

externally placed systems are exposed to more extreme temperatures and lose more heat than systems placed indoors. None of the outside or inside tanks were wrapped with any extra insulation or coverings.115 A number of householders had considered covering or wrapping their tanks. During the course of the interviews Troy and Nat replaced their old internally positioned EEHW system with an outside EEHW system. Troy considered wrapping his tank but was told by the plumber not to worry about adding extra insulation, as the tank was designed to be outside.

Solar hot water (SHW) systems were installed in seven households. SHW has the potential to provide a significant component of water heating in a passive way. All the SHW systems in the houses had been installed with rebates from the GGAER program. SHW systems include panels to collect solar energy, piping, a water storage tank and an electrically116 powered ‘booster’ that heats water when there is no sun. Tanks can sit beside the solar collectors on the roof, outside on the ground, or inside the house. As with the EEHW systems, externally placed tanks are susceptible to more heat loss than indoor tanks.

Of the householders who installed SHW systems: three noticed a helpful reduction in electricity use; three were unsure of the difference in electricity use (they either did not have enough data, or had not checked the data); and one found there was no difference in electricity use (meaning the system was not performing well).117 Both SHW installers (business organisation interview 17/10/08) and householders recognised there were problems with installation processes of SHW systems: one household’s pump failed; and one household realised months after installation that the pump was wired incorrectly and was running continuously. Once identified, both

115 _{Energy efficiency guides recommend installing extra insulation on EEHW systems to minimise}

heat loss. SLT advisors who visited houses during the GGAER rebate program advised householders (including this study’s participants) to wrap EEHW systems.

116 _{No one in this study used a gas booster.}

117 _{Three contrasting solar hot water installations from this research, including the unsuccessful}

problems were promptly dealt with by the original suppliers. In addition, many SHW systems were installed without reminder lights or timers that meant systems ran ineffectively.118

Challenges with installation in part emerged because there were only a handful of plumbers and electricians experienced in installing SHW systems in Greater Hobart in 2008.119 Householders consequently found it difficult to engage experienced SHW installers. Since 2008 concerted efforts have been made by SHW companies and SLT to educate more trades people in SHW installation (business organisation interview October 2008).

A number of householders who had EEHW systems were interested in replacing them with SHW systems. After consideration however, most had decided against because SHW systems were costly and could be technically confusing. Olive had considered installing SHW with the GGAER rebate, but had thought that she would not be able to use Tariff 42 anymore and therefore decided against it (summer interview 25/02/08).120

Helen installed an all-in-one heat pump hot water (HPHW) system with the GGAER rebate. A HPHW system uses air conditioning technology (run on electricity) to transfer latent outside heat into water in a tank. HPHW systems require an air conditioner and a tank, which can be placed together or separately. These systems can significantly reduce electricity needed for heating water, but can be noisy (due to the air-conditioning unit). With the HPHW Helen’s household reduced electricity used to heat water by 75 per cent in winter, despite having an outside tank. Despite the efficiency, Helen was concerned about the delivery process for HPHW systems, which are very heavy. The driver delivering her system, being on a contract and not

118 _{Internal reminder lights turn on when electric boosters are in use and (in the absence of sunlight)}

timers control when a cooling tank will electrically reheat.

119 _{There had been a relatively recent increase in SHW systems installations due to community bulk-}

buys, a new SHW installation company starting up and the GGAER rebate. This increase in activity since 2008 has generated some further learning in trade groups in relation to how to install SHW systems.

wanting to complain to the suppliers providing work, had attempted to move the system alone. The tank fell on him and injured him.121

Participant householders were aware of the importance of shower behaviours in limiting hot water use and had received reinforcement about the importance during GGAER Home assessment visits, and through the SLT energy savers booklet handed out during autumn interviews (Sustainable Living Tasmania 2007a). Some

householders said they tried to limit their hot water use; Terry in particular spoke about his shower practices as an important part of being energy and water efficient.