Comparing Benefits

There are many suppliers promoting their favourite answer to rising energy prices. Will these offerings really do what they claim to do?

More importantly, how can you make sense of all these competing claims?

The following table assumes that the particular option has been installed properly by professionals, and only takes into account the impact on personal comfort (liveability of your home) and energy savings.

Do not use this information to compare the relative merits of different types of cooling, for example, because when your home's balance is optimal, additional heating and cooling are less likely to be required.


Air Leakage Balance	Pros	Cons
	Low cost to implement Instant improvement in personal comfort Fast payback on energy savings Rapid return on investment No structural changes Non-invasive work usually completed same day Allergen reduction No ongoing maintenance required Lower ingress of pollutants and allergens Reduced ingress of insects No taxpayer subsidies required When done first, will reduce or eliminate the need for and cost of heating and cooling methods Enables smaller, cheaper and more efficient heating and cooling systems Only undertaken by qualified and licensed personnel Only approved materials used in rectification work Official certification provided
Leak Plugging	Pros	Cons
	Cheap to perform Consumables available in discount stores Can be done by handyman	Potentially dangerous - over-sealing introduces health hazards Actual leaks likely to be missed Air quality likely to suffer Certification not possible Dangerous if carried out unscientifically Improper sealing can lead to persistent moulds and even rot
Ceiling Insulation	Pros	Cons
	Proven method of limiting heat loss through ceiling Relatively low cost to install	Marginal value to home balance
Solar Panels	Pros	Cons
	Capital cost is subsidised While the subsidy lasts your energy costs will be lower	Relies on unreliable taxpayer subsidies Limited life expectancy - eventually need replacement Unattractive Efficiency diminishes over time Has no effect on gas energy consumption You may forfeit off-peak tariff savings No benefit to indoor liveability May require structural changes to your home Effectiveness depends on weather Does nothing to improve home balance Can be expensive to install
Solar Heating	Pros	Cons
	Capital cost may be subsidised While the subsidy lasts energy costs will be lower Effective way of reducing hot water costs	Relies on uncertain taxpayer subsidies Unattractive No benefit to indoor liveability May require structural changes to your home Effectiveness depends on weather Does nothing to improve air balance Can be expensive to install Requires ongoing maintenance
Switch Energy Supplier	Pros	Cons
	Potentially lower tariff Potentially incentives to change	The supplier you've just left might drop their prices, too Does nothing to improve home balance
Weather Seals	Pros	Cons
	Low cost Stops obvious drafts Can be done by a handyman	Does very little to improve home balance Overdone, may cause unhealthy air quality
Double Glazing	Pros	Cons
	Reduces heat loss through glazed areas Reduces noise pollution	Does nothing to improve home balance Potentially expensive to install Extremely long payback period Limits the warming benefit of sunlight during winter
Evaporative Cooling	Pros	Cons
	Cheaper to operate than air conditioning Improves summer comfort	Does nothing to improve home balance Useless in winter If your home's air balance is incorrect, will add to your electricity bills High consumption of water Potentially expensive to install Requires ongoing maintenance
Air Conditioner	Pros	Cons
	Cools in summer Warms in winter	Expensive to install Expensive to run Requires maintenance
Underfloor Heating	Pros	Cons
	Improves winter comfort	Does nothing to improve home balance Useless in summer Expensive to run Expensive to install
Hydronic Heating	Pros	Cons
	Improves winter comfort Efficient form of heating	Can detract from the decor of your home Can intrude into available floor space Potentially expensive to install Useless in summer Requires ongoing maintenance
Low Energy Light Globes	Pros	Cons
	Minimal effect on energy consumption	Does nothing to improve home balance Light quality is compromised, possibly necessitating supplementary lighting Expensive to install without taxpayer subsidies

Comparing Benefits

Air Leakage Balance

Pros

Cons

Leak Plugging

Pros

Cons

Ceiling Insulation

Pros

Cons

Solar Panels

Pros

Cons

Solar Heating

Pros

Cons

Switch Energy Supplier

Pros

Cons

Weather Seals

Pros

Cons

Double Glazing

Pros

Cons

Evaporative Cooling

Pros

Cons

Air Conditioner

Pros

Cons

Underfloor Heating

Pros

Cons

Hydronic Heating

Pros

Cons

Low Energy Light Globes

Pros

Cons