RESOURCE

EFFICIENCY GUIDE FOR

NEW HOME
OWNERS

For more information, visit

[Link]
Renovating or buying a new home can be an overwhelming task, but you can start
by designing your home to be resource efficient.

A home that is well-designed and well-equipped with energy and water efficient
appliances will not only allow you to save on your utility bills, it can also greatly
enhance your quality of life.

Air-conditioners, water heaters and refrigerators account for about 75% of

the total electricity consumption in a home, as seen in the Household Energy
Consumption Profile below.

Make use of the practical tips and solutions in this guide while coming up with
plans for your new home.

Household Energy Consumption Profile

1%
2%

3%
36%
4%

4%

11% 21%

18%

Air-Conditioner Units TV & Computer Washing Machine, Clothes Dryer & Iron

Water Heater Lighting Fan

Refrigerator Kitchen Appliances Others

All cost savings in this guide are based on an electricity cost of $0.27 per kWh, unless otherwise stated.
1 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 2

Contents
Tips on Interior Design 2

Energy Label & Life Cycle Cost 10

Tips on
Buying Energy and Water Efficient Appliances 14
Interior Design
Energy & Water Efficient Home Checklist 27

Daily Environmentally-Friendly Practices at Home 29

3 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 4

• Avoid obstructing windows and pathways with large furniture pieces as

DESIGNING FOR A they block airflow for natural ventilation.
COOLER HOME

Keep windows clear of large furniture

• Use partitions to minimise the space to be air-conditioned. Less energy is

required to cool a smaller and more targeted space.

To stay cool and keep your energy bills low, consider the following
tips when designing your home:

• Install fans to keep • Choose light colours • Use curtains or blinds

cool and save on air such as cream, white over windows, or
conditioning. or beige for walls and solar window films
Using a fan instead of large furniture. These to block unwanted
an air-conditioner can reflect heat better heat from the sun,
save you $460 a year! than dark colours. especially for east and
west-facing windows.

Did You Know?

Ceiling fans are more effective than standing fans
for cooling purposes and they come in a wide
variety of colours, shapes and styles to match any
home interior design.
Use partitions to minimise space to be air-conditioned
5 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 6

What is task lighting?

DESIGNING FOR A Task lighting refers to lighting
BRIGHTER HOME directed at a specific work area
to support a visual activity
(e.g. reading, working).

• Consider task lighting

to reduce lighting use.

• Place floor or table

lamps at corners as
the reflection off walls
will give more light.

• Install light dimmers

to improve ambience
To reduce general lighting use, consider the following tips when of your home and to
designing your home: save electricity.

• Choose light colours such as

cream, white or beige for walls,
curtains and large furniture. These
reflect light better than dark
colours, brightening up the room.

• Use light-coloured, loose-weaved

curtains on your windows to
allow daylight into the room while
preserving privacy.
Place lamps at corners
7 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 8

PLACEMENT OF APPLIANCES, • Ensure that power sockets are easily accessible and visible, so that
turning off appliances at the socket after use becomes more convenient.
POWER SOCKETS

Good Example Bad Example

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

• Position your TV and computer screens to be perpendicular to your Did You Know?
windows. This reduces glare and minimises the need to increase screen
Many appliances such as TVs, set-top boxes, DVD/CD players, computers and
brightness. home projectors continue to use electricity if they are not switched off at the
power socket.
9 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 10

• Allow sufficient space around • Place the refrigerator away

the refrigerator to ensure from heat sources such as
adequate ventilation. direct sunlight, cookers
For example, allow spaces of 2cm and the ovens.
on both sides, 5cm at the back
and 10cm above the refrigerator,
or follow the manufacturer’s
recommendations.
Energy Label & Life Cycle Cost

Did You Know?

Insufficient spacing will decrease the cooling efficiency of refrigerators, resulting
in higher energy use.

10cm

5cm

2cm
11 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 12

Energy Label
• Applies to air-conditioners, Appliance Highest Tick-rating
Assumptions to annual energy cost:
refrigerators, clothes dryers, Air-conditioner
televisions and lamps. Clothes Dryer
Air-conditioner Refrigerator Electricity Cost
• Helps you identify energy efficient Television
models; the more ticks, the more
$0.27
Refrigerator
energy efficient.
Lamp 8hr
daily
24hr
daily
per kWh

Energy Label on Lamps

Lamps Energy Efficiency Rating TV Clothes dryer

Fair

Good

Very Good
5hr
daily
x 3
a week

Energy Label on Air-conditioners, Clothes Dryers, Refrigerators and Televisions Energy Efficiency Rating

Low Very Good

Fair Excellent

Good

Types of Appliances & Capacities

Air-conditioner Refrigerator
Brand Cooling capacity in kW Capacity in litres (L)
Model

Clothes Dryer Television

Capacity in kg Diagonal screen size
in inches
13 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 14

Life Cycle Cost

• Life cycle cost* of an appliance is computed by:

$$$ BILLBISLLS
Buying Energy and Water
Efficient Appliances
Energy Cost
Purchase Price Over Lifespan Life Cycle Cost

Energy Cost over Lifespan ($) = Annual Energy Cost ($/year) x Appliance Lifespan (years)

Life Cycle Cost for Air-Conditioners

• When choosing (6.0kW - < 8.0kW Cooling Capacity)

appliances, do not only Life Cycle Cost Energy Cost Over Lifespan Purchase Price
consider the purchase
price. Energy efficient 9000 2-tick
models have lower 8000
energy costs so you save 7000 3-tick
more over the lifespan of 6000
$7263 $5532
the appliance. 5000
4000
• Choose models with 3000
more ticks on the energy 2000
label and with a lower life 1000 $1308 $1373
cycle cost.
$8571 $6905

• Use the Life Cycle Cost Calculator in NEA’s myENV mobile app to calculate
and compare the life cycle costs of different models of air-conditioners,
refrigerators, clothes dryers, televisions and lamps.

Download myENV app here:

*Maintenance costs of appliances are not considered in life cycle costs.

15 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 16

To determine the cooling capacity required, a useful rule of thumb is to

Air-conditioner divide the area of the space to be air-conditioned by 5, i.e.:

Cooling capacity required in kW = Total area to be air-conditioned [m2] ÷ 5

Room Floor Total Cooling Capacity

Area Floor Area Required
Master Bedroom 15m2
Bedroom 2 10m2 35m2 35 ÷ 5 = 7kW
Bedroom 3 10m 2

For illustration only.

To convert from ft2 to m2, multiply the area in ft2 by 0.093.

To convert to Btu/hr, multiply the kW result by 3412.

• Choose an energy efficient Points to note:

air-conditioner with more ticks
on the energy label and with a • A larger air-conditioner may be needed for rooms with:
lower life cycle cost. - Double volume (i.e. double ceiling height)
- A large window area (e.g. full-height glass windows)
• Air-conditioners are designed to - Windows orientated towards the sun (i.e. east-west direction)
- Additional heat sources such as bar fridges
control both the air temperature
and humidity. Choose the right • Total cooling capacity of a multi-split air-conditioning system is usually the
cooling capacity for your sum of the cooling capacities of the individual rooms. However, a smaller
air-conditioner. total cooling capacity may be sufficient if all the room units are not turned
on at the same time.
• For a more detailed assessment of the cooling capacity required, consult
your air-conditioner supplier.
17 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 18

• If space and budget permit, consider an electric heat pump water heater.
Water Heater It is more energy efficient than an electric instantaneous and storage
water heater.

Did You Know?

A family of 4 can reduce their energy costs by using a gas water heater or an electric heat
pump water heater instead of an electric instantaneous or storage water heater.

$190
more
$110
more

ANNUAL
ENERGY COST
Electric Electric Heat
Gas Electric Storage Instantaneous Pump Water
Water Heater Water Heater Water Heater Heater
Electric Instantaneous Electric Storage Gas Water Heater
Water Heater Water Heater

• Design your hot water Did You Know?

distribution system such that
the hot water appears quickly • Storage water heaters continue
to use energy to heat water when $330
at the taps when turned on. $250
more
they are left switched on, while
This prevents excessive wastage instantaneous water heaters only
more

of water which cools while use energy to heat water when it ANNUAL
sitting in the pipes. ENERGY COST
flows through the unit.

• Choose an instantaneous water

heater over a storage water
heater as it is more energy
Electric Instantaneous Electric Storage Electric Heat Pump
efficient. If you prefer a storage Water Heater Water Heater Water Heater
water heater, choose a capacity
that meets your needs.

• Energy savings were calculated based on two showers per person daily, and energy cost of $0.27 per kWh of electricity and $0.19 per kWh of town gas.
• Savings may vary according to actual hot water usage and the difference between town gas and electricity costs.
• When installing gas instantaneous water heaters, it is important that the water pressure is sufficient. Otherwise, the water flow rate at the taps and showerhead
may not be sufficient for satisfactory usage of gas instantaneous water heaters. To understand the required water pressure, and for other queries on
requirements/ guidelines on gas water heaters, please contact City Gas’ Residential Sales & Project Marketing Branch at residentialsales@[Link]
• Gas water heaters can cost more over their lifespan for 1/ 2-room HDB apartments due to low water consumption and private condominiums/ landed
properties due to high upfront cost.
19 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 20

Refrigerator Clothes Dryer

• Buy the smallest • Choose an energy Consider the need for a

refrigerator model efficient refrigerator clothes dryer as air-drying
that meets your with more ticks on your clothes is completely
needs. Generally, the energy label and free! But if you really
larger refrigerators with a lower life need one, consider the
use more energy to cycle cost. following tips:
operate.
• Buy a clothes dryer • Select a model • Choose an energy
• Consider whether
of suitable capacity with energy-saving efficient clothes
additional features,
that meets your features such as dryer with more
such as automatic
needs. The capacity a moisture sensor ticks on the energy
icemakers and through-
of the clothes dryer that turns off the label and with a
the-door dispensers,
(kg) should not be dryer when clothes lower life cycle cost.
are needed as they
larger than that of the are dried.
increase energy use.
washing machine.
21 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 22

Lamps TV & Other

Power Rating
Electronic Devices
60W 12W 9W

Traditional Compact Light-emitting

incandescent Fluorescent (CFL) diode (LED)
Low Efficiency Medium Efficiency High Efficiency

• Choose energy efficient lamps such as LED bulbs. Using an incandescent light • Choose a TV with more
bulb (60W) instead of a LED bulb (9W) can cost you about $15 more per bulb ticks on the energy label.
per year*.
• Consider buying a laptop
rather than a desktop as
it consumes significantly
Did You Know? less energy.
LEDs use up to 85% less electricity than
incandescent light bulbs to produce the
same amount of light, and can last about
20 times longer!

Based on 3 hours daily usage

*
23 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 24

Washing Machine Other Kitchen and

Bathroom Appliances

• Buy a washing machine of • Use thermal cooking pots and

suitable capacity that meets pressure cookers as they cut down
your needs. the energy required for cooking.

• For greater water efficiency • Use water efficiency labelled fittings

choose a washing machine to conserve water. The rating given
to a product is determined by its
model with more ticks on the
category and its flow rate/flush
water efficiency label. capacity. The more ticks on the label,
the more water efficient the model is.

• Use a thermos flask instead of an

electric air-pot to keep hot water hot.
25 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 26

• Install thimbles or water saving devices at taps and showerheads to

reduce the flow rate of water.
Energy-saving products
How to Install Thimble

Step 1: Remove Step 2: Remove Step 3: Put in Step 4: Replace

the aerator the washer the thimble the aerator

• Energy-saving products such as energy monitoring devices, standby power

killers and timers can help reduce household energy use.
Type of Product Function(s)
• Provide information on total household energy use and
Energy
Step 1: Remove Step 2: Remove Step 3: Put in Step 4: Replace energy use by appliance
monitoring • Allow better understanding and management of
the aerator the washer the thimble the aerator devices
household energy use
Home automation • Automate energy-saving practices to provide
solutions convenience and energy savings
Standby power killers Eliminate standby power
•

• Automatically turn appliances on/off according to

Timers
preset timings

Step 1: Remove Step 2: Remove Step 3: Put in

the aerator the washer the thimble
For more info, visit
[Link]/Households/Saving_Energy_At_
For enquiries, please call PUB 24-hour Call Centre at Home/Energy_Management_Solutions.aspx
Step 4: Replace
1800-2255782 the aerator
27 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 28

Here’s a simple checklist that outlines ten actions to take to achieve

energy and water efficiency in your home!

Energy & Water Efficient Home S/N Area(s) Action Item(s)

Checklist
( )
Checklist 1 Home cooling Install fans to keep cool

Avoid obstructing windows and pathways

Furniture
2 with large furniture pieces as they block
layout
airflow for natural ventilation

Placement of Allow sufficient space around the

3
appliances refrigerator to ensure adequate ventilation

Location of Position power sockets to be within easy

4
power sockets reach

Choose a light colour scheme (cream, white,

5 Colour scheme beige etc.) for your home to reflect heat
and light

Choice of Air- Choose a 3-tick or better air-conditioner

6
conditioner (based on energy label)

Choose an electric instantaneous water

Choice of
7 heater, gas water heater, or a heat pump
water heater
water heater (if space and budget permit)

Choice of Choose a 3-tick refrigerator

8
refrigerator (based on energy label)

Choose a 3-tick lamp

9 Choice of lamp
(based on energy label)

Choice of
Choose a 3-tick washing machine
10 washing
(based on water efficiency label)
machine
29 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 30

Daily Environmentally-Friendly Follow these five simple steps to

reduce your energy bills.
Practices
at Home

There are more ways for you to save energy!

Learn more household energy-saving tips at
[Link]
 31 Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners Resource Efficiency Guide for New Home Owners 32

[Link]
I
only buy
what I
need to meet the 10-litre challenge
Pillow
Sale
REDUCE
Avoid excessive or You can star t with these simple tips:
Bed unnecessary purchases
Linen for your new home.
Sale Sale
Sale PAID
I
reuse
whenever
I Can
REUSE
Consider reusing the cardboard boxes
you used when you moved into your
new home for other purposes, such as
for storage or consolidation of recyclables.
I think
before
I throw
RECYCLE
Recycle your packaging waste such as shrink/bubble wrap
and cardboard boxes (flattened) instead of throwing them away.
Set up recycling points using a bin, plastic bag or a box
to contain recyclable waste around your home.

1 Set up a recycling point at home to

collect recyclables such as paper, 3 Deposit the recyclables
into the recycling chutes
plastics, metal and glass. or recycling bins.
Leave nothing outside.

Take the 10-litre challenge

4 Do not put any food and

liquid waste, tissue,
Log on to [Link]/conserve/households
LA
CO
A K
CO DRIN
CO ERGY
EN

ceramics, porcelain,
light bulbs or batteries
2 Empty recyclable
GLASS PAPER PLASTIC METAL

into the recycling bin or

containers of content. recycling chute. Do not
Rinse them if necessary. WINE BOTTLES, BEER BOTTLES NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, PLASTIC BAGS, PLASTIC METAL CONTAINERS & CANS
leave furniture or bulky 1800 2255 782
Reduced flush
& GLASS JARS

Place them into the recycling

BOOKS & PAPER PACKAGING CONTAINERS & BOTTLES

items beside the Use reduced flush for liquid waste

bin or bag at home. CONTACT
INFO NO LIGHT BULBS NO FOOD AND LIQUIDS NO DISPOSABLE ITEMS NO BULKY ITEMS
OTHER
INFO recycling bin or
chute opening.
ENE
RGY
COCODRINK
A CO
LA