The action plan in detail
Objective 5. Promote cleaner homes
Strategy A. Reduce Emissions from solid-fuel heaters
Strategy B. Improve energy-efficiency of homes
Objective: To maximise home energy efficiency and reduce emissions of fine particles and ROCs from domestic fuel consumption.
In the domestic arena, individuals and households can initiate direct action to improve air quality.
Our homes are a significant contributor to fine particle emissions and ROCs, mainly through solid fuel heaters but also through petrol lawn mowers and garden tools. As a significant consumer of power, the home is also a big contributor to regional production of greenhouse gases and an important site for innovations in energy efficiency.
Action for Air is responding with a package of strategies to reduce fine particles and other emissions from wood heaters, improve energy efficiency and encourage the use of alternative, cleaner and sustainable energy sources in the home.
Strategy A. Reduce Emissions from solid-fuel heaters
Domestic solid fuel heaters (mainly wood heaters) are a significant source of fine-particle pollution in both Sydney and a number of rural regional centres in winter.
They also can produce:
- carbon monoxide (CO) through incomplete combustion of fuel
- ROCs (including benzene, aldehydes, phenols and organic acids), which are responsible for most of the odours produced
- semi-volatile organic compounds such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which need higher temperatures to evaporate. Some of these are known to be toxic or carcinogenic at particular levels and others may be so.
The EPA has examined strategies developed in other countries and used consultative tools to canvass appropriate action for NSW. An independent social research organisation was commissioned to survey community knowledge, attitudes and behaviour relating to wood heaters in 1995. In 1996, the EPA distributed a discussion paper, Air Pollution from Solid Fuel Heaters, to all NSW local councils seeking feedback on preferred strategies.
Since 1995, the Government, in collaboration with industry, has put into place a number of strategies to reduce the negative impact of wood heaters, including regulatory action, education programs and requests for voluntary avoidance of wood fires on high-pollution days.
A continuing program of action includes the following:
Action 5.1. Ensure compliance with the Clean Air Regulations 1997
The Government enacted regulations in 1995 to control emissions from new wood heaters and these were renewed in 1997.
Under the Clean Air (Domestic Solid Fuel Heaters) Regulations 1997, all new wood heaters sold in NSW must be certified and labelled to confirm that they comply with emissions standards set by Standards Australia. The EPA estimates that properly certified heaters will reduce emissions by up to 80% over time (the full effect of implementation will not be felt for a number of years).
Action 5.2. Develop a code of practice for installation of heaters
Heaters must be installed properly, as inappropriate installation can greatly increase the negative impact of smoke emissions.
The EPA is working with the key players, including industry and councils, to facilitate the development of a comprehensive industry code of practice-covering all aspects of the installation of domestic solid fuel heaters-scheduled to be available in early 1998.
The industry code will be made available to local councils, domestic solid fuel heater retailers, consumer bodies and relevant licensing and training authorities. It will provide useful information and education material.
Action 5.3. Conduct a community education program on using wood heaters
Armidale City Council and the EPA began a pilot education campaign in 1996, focusing on the correct operation of wood heaters and the use of seasoned wood to reduce emissions. The pilot provided a successful model and the EPA extended the program as part of the 1997 winter campaign to reduce brown haze pollution in Sydney and regional centres (including Wollongong, Newcastle, Dubbo, Orange, Lithgow, Oberon and Queanbeyan).
The EPA will continue to work with local councils, the industry association, retailers and the media on a regular community education program addressing these issues in Sydney and other relevant regional centres.
Action 5.4. Continue voluntary 'Don't Light Tonight' campaign
The environmental and health impacts of wood heaters, especially those that do not meet the new emissions standards, are most severe on cold and still nights when smoke emissions are poorly dispersed. Reducing wood smoke emissions on such nights is a clear priority and there is strong community support for direct, voluntary action of this kind.
The EPA began the voluntary pilot 'Don't Light Tonight' public information campaign in 1997 in Sydney, targeting open fires and old, uncertified solid fuel heaters - conveying the information through radio and television weather forecasts. Preliminary indications are that Sydney residents responded positively. The program is now to be continued beyond its pilot phase.
The EPA will continue to work with the industry association and local government to assess the benefits of taking further action including:
- guidelines for wood suppliers to ensure wood for sale is properly seasoned, hard wood
- possible regulatory action by local councils to fix smoky house chimneys
- incentives for owners of old wood heaters to upgrade to certified wood heaters, or to gas or electricity, as an alternative fuel source. Armidale Council is investigating interest-free home loans for this purpose.
Strategy B. Improve energy-efficiency of homes
Energy efficiency in homes is an important element in the overall push for energy efficiency. Our broad environmental objectives are to reduce the emission of pollutants, minimise the burning of fossil fuels, encourage the use of energy from renewable sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Local government has a major role in promoting energy efficiency through its planning and development responsibilities, and some councils have been very active on this front. It is also a high priority for the NSW Government, involving a number of agencies but largely driven by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA). The Department of Energy is responsible for programs with a regulatory focus, including appliance energy labelling and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for refrigerators and electric storage water heaters (from 1999). A national framework for dealing with energy labelling and MEPS has been developed.
Action 5.5. Implement the 'Energy Smart Homes' program
SEDA is working through partnerships with local government and the building industry on implementing its Energy Smart Homes program-designed to reduce the imported energy requirements of new and existing homes for heating, cooling and ventilation. The program will make use of education and public information initiatives, demonstration projects and land-use planning. The overall strategy will be supported by a $6 million allocation from SEDA over the next three years as well as by contributions from local government.
The targeted outcomes of the Energy Smart Homes program are:
- 60% of new homes granted building applications between mid-1997 and 2002 will have a 'minimum energy performance' rating;
- 90% of new homes and 70% of major retrofits requiring a building application will have at least an 'improved energy performance' rating.
The program is being developed in stages and has a number of elements:
- Energy Smart councils
SEDA aims to work with local councils to assist them to reduce their own energy consumption and promote energy-efficient practices in the building sector and broader community. This includes adopting an energy-efficient housing policy: promoting energy conservation to their residents, making their own premises more energy-efficient and considering the purchase of some portion of their electricity through a SEDA-accredited Green Power Scheme.
- Energy Smart homes policy for councils
This initiative aims to introduce an 'energy efficiency' housing policy into 50 local governments covering 80% of new homes and home alterations in NSW. It requires councils to do everything that is cost-effective for saving greenhouse gases. These may include improvements to the building envelope, and savings from hot water through more energy-efficient systems and showerheads (saving up to 30% of greenhouse gases from the domestic sector).
- Energy Smart home builders
Land developers, home designers and home builders taking part in this scheme must design and build houses to comply with SEDA's minimum requirements for energy efficiency. This includes the supply of energy-efficient fittings and appliances with a packaged home. Partners in the scheme include:
- land developers who divide up land so as to optimise solar access for future houses
- home designers using passive solar principles that reduce the need for mechanical heating, cooling and lighting
- home builders including specifications of the Energy Smart Designers program, such as wall and ceiling insulation.
Other SEDA residential programs will include Energy Smart Homes Make-Over-a retrofit program promoting insulation, efficient windows, daylighting systems and other energy savers.