Also explore these MEFL Projects and Services
How much energy is your TV guzzling?
In the last decade energy use from TVs has changed dramatically.
Learn how to save money and energy at home!
Click to launch our MEFL "Hot Spots" House.
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Resources
Resources
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Interactive Hot Spots House
Move your cursor around this animated house for energy-saving tips and a quick fun way to find out more about home energy use and greenhouse gas production.
Click HERE to Launch the Hot Spots House! -
Home Energy Referral Network
Search our Home Energy Referral Network for local businesses that provide energy smart products and/or services. We have updated the Home Energy Referral Network - please download below.
Providing information on energy efficiency is one thing, but it can be hard to identify the right products or services for the job and track down where they are available locally. Our Home Energy Referral Network aims to fill this gap by referring you to around fifty local businesses. The network includes lighting shops, insulation contractors, blind and awning manufacturers, solar hot water installers and even local hardware stores.
The Home Energy Referral Network is being constantly updated - If you know of a business that should be included the Referral Network, contact us and let us know.
For more detail of specific appliances, building materials and fittings see our 5 Star Renovator's Service.
Downloads
> MEFL HERN Summer 0809 (download document)
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PVs produce lots more energy than it takes to make them
For many years there has been a myth floating around that photovoltaic (PV) solar panels never produce enough energy to 'pay back' the energy used in their production. This has been used as the basis of the argument that they do not have a net environmental benefit. However, this myth is false and is very damaging to a product with major environmental benefits.
Downloads
> PVs produce lots more energy than it takes to make them (download document)
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Energy Efficient Rental Properties
Energy efficiency information brochures for property owners, tenants and bodies corporate/strata management groups.
Downloads
> 1: Searching for an energy efficient rental property in a tropical climate (download document)
> 2: Searching for an energy efficient rental property in a cool/temperate climate (download document)
> 3: Energy efficiency considerations for a Rental Property (download document)
> 4: Low or no cost energy efficiency improvements for renters (download document)
> 5: Tax deductions for energy efficiency improvements in rental properties (download document)
> 6. Measures for reducing energy use in flats and apartments (download document)
> 7: Reducing energy use in body corporate or strata properties (download document)
> 8: Checklist of energy efficiency improvements (download document)
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Introduction to Energy Management Training
MEFL regularly runs our popular 'Introduction to Energy Management Training' course. The one day course equips participants with a broad understanding of energy use, assessment and auditing techniques. For more information or to register see our Training page. -
10 Energy Myths Busted
Do screensavers save energy? Are flat screen TVs more energy efficient? Does switching fluorescent lamps on and off shorten their lives? To find out the answers to these energy saving myths and more, download the following document:
Downloads
> 10 Energy Myths Busted (download document)
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Latest MEFL newsletter
Downloads
> Moreland Energy News July 2008 (download document)
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GreenPower
Switching your electricity to GreenPower is one of the easiest things you can do straight away to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. For more information on GreenPower go to
www.greenpower.gov.au or the Green Electricity Watch Website www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au -
What makes a home energy smart?
A range of features can help to make a home more energy efficient.
Downloads
> What makes a home energy smart (download document)
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Visit the CERES Ecohouse
CERES EcoHouse has recently undergone a major renovation and refurbishment, courtesy of an Eco-Living Grant from the Victorian Government's Sustainability Fund. The EcoHouse demonstrates how it is possible to retrofit an older home to be sustainable, affordable and appealing.
Thanks to support from Zero Carbon Moreland, the EcoHouse will be open every Saturday until June 10am-1pm.
Self-guided tours available, with CERES staff on hand to answer questions.
Where: CERES, 8 Lee St Brunswick East
Info: www.ceres.org.au/ecohouse -
Fact sheet: Solar hot water
Why get solar hot water, how does it work and where to get it.
Downloads
> Fact sheet: Solar hot water (download document)
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Home Energy Action Retrofit Guide
A practical guide in simple english focusing on practical actions to reduce energy use / greenhouse gases for your house. Not an energy audit, but a practical guide to retrofitting your home. MEFL delivers these booklets during workshops to residents in Moreland and across Victoria. The guide contains lots of ideas so dont try to do all of them at once! Contact us if you would like to attend the next Home Energy Action workshop / or for more advice on retrofitting your home.
Downloads
> Home Energy Action Retrofit Guide (download document)
Retrofit Guide
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Moreland Energy News: June 2009
Downloads
> Moreland Energy News: June 2009 (download document)
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Fuel efficiency and new car label standards
Downloads
> Fuel efficiency and new car label standards (download document)
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Energy for Babies Kit
This information kit for new or expecting parents provides information on renovations, home heating, washing and bathing, nappies and much more.
Downloads
> Energy for Babies Kit (download document)
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Sustainable House Day 2010
People who have built or renovated homes of the future that embrace sustainable living are being encouraged to open their doors to the public for Sustainable House Day on Sunday 12 September...
Downloads
> Media Release (download document)
People who have built or renovated homes of the future that embrace sustainable living are being encouraged to open their doors to the public for Sustainable House Day on Sunday 12 September.
> Expression of Interest Form (download document)
Download this form to express interest in participating.
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Fact sheet: Insulation
Why install insulation?
Heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter through the ceiling accounts for around 30 % of total heat exchange. Another 10-20 % is lost through the walls. Insulation keeps your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter and this means lower energy bills and less greenhouse gas pollution from heating and cooling your home.
Downloads
> Fact sheet: Insulation (download document)
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Take Action on Electric Hot Water and Air Conditioning
The Take Action project is supported by the Sustainability Fund. The Sustainability Fund is managed by Sustainability Victoria and supports projects that help Victorians take action on sustainability.
The Take Action project is researching the most efficient hot water and air conditioning systems from a view point of: cost, efficiency and implementation.
We are looking for people who want to get involved. Download the following documents for more information:
Downloads
> Take Action on Hot Water and Airconditioning (download document)
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Sustainable House Day 2010 - Media Release
People who have built or renovated homes of the future that embrace sustainable living are being encouraged to open their doors to the public for Sustainable House Day on Sunday 12 September...
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Wind Energy in Urban Areas
Sustainability Victoria has information on wind energy in urban areas on its website.
The page includes information on the viability of domestic wind turbines and a Consumer Guide that covers:
- How to assess the wind resource at your site?
- How to choose a wind turbine?
- What are the likely issues that need to be addressed for planning permission?
- How to install a small wind turbine system?
- What was the experience of people who installed a small wind turbine?
- How to assess the wind resource at your site?
Download MEFL's latest fact sheet on smart meters - what are they, what are the benefits, and what's happening with the roll-out of smart meters in Victoria.
Downloads
> Fact sheet: Smart meters (download document)
Position Description
Downloads
> Project Coordinator - Sustainable Planning (download document)
Position Description
How much is your TV guzzling?
Downloads
> How much energy is your TV guzzling? (download document)
Download MEFL's latets fact sheet on smart meters, outlining what they are, how we may benefit and what's happening with the Victorian smart meter roll-out.
Learn about water tanks, how they work and where you can get them.
Downloads
> Fact sheet: Water tanks (download document)
What is the problem and what can be done? Have a look at this newly created fact sheet, February 2009.
Downloads
> Waste fact sheet (download document)
What is the problem and what can be done. Have a look at this newly created fact sheet for up to date information.
Downloads
> Transport fact sheet (download document)
Why get them, how they work and where to get them. Read this fact sheet to find out.
Downloads
> Solar panel fact sheet (download document)
What is Greenpower, why get it and how does it work?
Downloads
> Greenpower fact sheet (download document)
Whats is the problem and what can be done.
Downloads
> Food security fact sheet (download document)
Have you recently had a phone call or knock on your door from someone offering to install environmental products in your home for free?
They can do this because of the Victorian State Government's Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) Scheme.
Downloads
> Fact sheet: Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) (download document)
Created November 2009
An article outlining the implications of selling Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
Downloads
> ReNew article on Renewable Energy Certificates (download document)
Downloads
> Fact sheet: Environmental rebates (download document)
Downloads
> Fact sheet: Energy efficient lighting (download document)
Downloads
> Fact sheet: Cogeneration (download document)
Downloads
> Fact sheet: Trigeneration (download document)
Downloads
> Fact sheet: Distributed generation (download document)
Reduces energy use and costs
Downloads
> Fact sheet: Behavioural changes (download document)
Reduces energy use and costs
A detailed explanation of the interaction between the Renewable Energy Target, Renewable Energy Certificates and the Solar Credit Scheme
Downloads
> Fact sheet: RECs and Solar Credits (download document)
MEFL, in conjunction with teh ATA, has conducted a brief assessment of premium feed-in tariff offers.
This consisted of a survey sent to all electricity retailers as well as a review of information listed on retailers' websites.
Download the comparison document here:
Downloads
> Vic retailers - comparison (download document)
The Next Steps forum was a day of inspiring talks and community sharing of practical ideas on how to reduce carbon emissions. Over 80 participants took part in the ZCM Next Steps forum on March 27th and found it an "informative and excellent afternoon."
Downloads
> Next Steps Forum (download document)
Summaries of Presentations from the Next Steps
Forum held on 27 March 2010.
Tips
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Buying solar - what to look out for
There is currently a big push underway by solar companies to promote and sell solar electricity systems to households. For potential customers, how do you tell whether these deals are good value, what additional costs may exist, what products are best and whether you are getting value?
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Disposing of compact fluorescent light globes
Whilst CFLs are safe and easy to use, unlike incandescent light globes they contain a small amount of mercury. Whilst this does not make them dangerous, it is wise and environmentally responsible to take a few precautions when disposing of your old or broken globes.
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How much energy is your TV guzzling?
In the last decade energy use from TVs has changed dramatically. -
Keep your home cool through passive cooling.
Find out about some of the most important aspects of passive cooling - shading, insulation and ventilation. -
Keeping down your heating bill over winter
When the cold weather starts its tempting to crank up the heater! But there are lots of other ways to keep your home warm and make sure heating doesn't end up costing the earth. -
Top things to do this Earth Hour
Switching off your lighting for Earth Hour is a great way to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, but imagine the difference we could make by doing the following as well! -
Use a power usage meter to check your energy consumption at home
One MEFL member recently borrowed a power usage metre and tested out all their appliances. Read about their findings: -
Watch Wasteful Windows!
Windows are an important part of household energy efficiency. Up to 30% of the heat lost and gained in homes is through poorly protected or positioned windows.
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What to do if you have a house full of halogen downlights
Halogen downlights have become one of the most fashionable lighting trends in recent years, but here are a few things the marketing crowd won't tell you:
Links
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Alternative Technology Association
A national organisation that supports renewable and environmentally-progressive technologies.
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Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES)
A free Community Environment Park located within Moreland, providing educational and inspirational programs plus on-site examples of sustainable living. There is also an EcoHouse, an ordinary house that has been retrofitted with many energy-saving features. -
Community Power
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Eco Directory
From sustainable homes to renewable energy or organic food, the EcoDirectory is your starting point to all sorts of eco-friendly products, services and information resources. -
Ecospecifer
Ecospecifier is a knowledge base of well over 3000 environmentally preferable products, materials, technologies and resources. -
Energy Action Group
The Energy Action Group acts as a monitor for the public interest advocating the energy and water needs of domestic and small business users (with emphasis on low income households); a stronger, more meaningful, open and accountable regulatory system; real consumer participation in the regulatory system; environmentally sustainable solutions to energy problems. -
Find out your Hot spots
Learn how to save money and energy at home!
Click to launch our MEFL 'Hot Spots' House.
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- Module will open in a new window. Please ensure your Browser doesn't block "popups".
- Requires Flash. To get Flash Player click here.
Local car sharing company with 4 cars in Brunswick.
Reduce waste and pass on your unwanted goods or pick up what you are looking for, for free.
Car sharing company
A large range of environmental products; renewable energy, lighting, biopaints, water saving products and more.
One of Australia's leading sustainable homes, transformed with a 'green makeover' by Stuart McQuire and Wendy Orams. Come and see how our suburban home has been transformed to have an extraordinary environmental performance.
You don't need to be a superhero to save the planet. Making a difference to the environment is about the little things in life.
The local City Council instrumental in the formation of the Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd, and responsible for other progressive initiatives including their Greenhouse Action Strategy and Greenhouse Action Plan.
Local library services provide excellent resources to the general public including many titles on energy and the environment. Check out their on-line catalog.
This Australia-wide website matches people with others in their area that travel the same route to work or school, allowing them to combine their journeys to save on cost and greenhouse emissions.
Phoenix Fridges takes fridges donated from all across Melbourne and repairs, recycles and retrofits them to make them more energy efficient. Get your old one collected for free.
STEPS is an easy to use, web-based tool that house owners and designers can use to see first hand whether their proposed designs will meet the environmental performance targets set by Council in the tool.
Loads of information and fact sheets about how to save energy at home.
Get involved in Australia's largest Climate Change campaign. Visit the website and sign the pledge and get all your friends to do it too!
A wide variety of green goods and environmentally sustainable products.
Listing a wide range of eco friendly products and services.
Victoria Walks has all the tools, information and support you need to make your neighbourhood safer and more walk-friendly.
Environmental communication specialists. Vox B. are working with MEFL and Moreland City Council on the Sustainability Streets Project.
A heritage-listed school was saved from the demolition hammer and then reborn as an eco-village following ecologically-sustainable development principles. Once fully operational WestWyck aims to be a showpiece for energy-efficient building practice and will generate some of its own power.
Find out where your nearest climate action group is and how you can get involved
If you are building, buying or renovating, this Technical Manual has been developed to show you how to design and build a more comfortable home that has less impact on the environment.
