6 SMART RENOVATION TIPS TO CUT ENERGY BILLS

How to save money and boost comfort through passive design in Northern NSW & SE Queensland.

If you're planning to renovate your home, you’re likely thinking about comfort, lifestyle and value — all while managing the budget. One of the smartest renovation moves is ………

Lowering your heating and cooling bills through smart, climate-responsive design.

In regions like Northern NSW and South-East Queensland, where summers are hot and winters mild, small upgrades can lead to huge energy savings — and a much more comfortable home.

1. Insulation — Your First Line of Defence

Most heat escapes through your roof, walls, and floors. During renovations:

• Ceilings & Walls: Upgrade to high-performance insulation.

• Floors: Add underfloor insulation beneath timber floors to cut winter draughts.

🛠 Pro Tip: Always insulate before upgrading heating or cooling systems — it reduces appliance load and running costs.

2. Smarter Windows = Bigger Savings

Windows are major culprits in heat gain and loss — but you don’t need to replace every one.

• Double Glazing: Ideal if you’re already replacing windows.

• Low-E Glass Coating: A cost-effective add-on to reflect infrared and UV rays.

  Pro Tip: Focus on bedrooms and living areas if full replacement isn’t in budget.

3. Window Placement & Shading

Renovating? Take the chance to rethink how light and heat move through your home.

• North-facing windows: Passive winter heating

• East & West windows: Add pergolas or awnings to reduce heat load

• Eaves: Extend them to block summer sun while letting in winter light
  🌿 Pro Tip:: A strategically planted tree can dramatically reduce summer cooling needs.

4. Draught-Proofing — Small Fixes, Big Difference

Quick wins you can DIY or include in a reno:

• Weatherstrip around windows and doors

• Door seals on all external doors

• Use insulated curtains or blinds —
  Pro Tip: simply open during sunny winter days, close at night

5. Natural Cooling & Cross-Ventilation

Coastal breezes are free — let them work for you!

• Cross-ventilation: Place operable windows across from each other

• Ceiling fans: Use in reverse in winter to push warm air down

• Wall fans: Great for low ceilings or retrofit projects

  Pro Tip: add a fan at minimum in bedrooms for comfortable night’s sleep

6. Orientation, Thermal Mass & Landscaping

If your renovation involves layout changes or new rooms:

• Orient living areas to the north or northeast

• Use thermal mass (e.g., concrete floors, brick walls) to store warmth or coolnessLatest Posts

• Landscape wisely: Deciduous trees = summer shade + winter sun

  Pro Tip: have a draft landscape plan

💰 Renovations That Pay for Themselves

While features like double glazing or underfloor insulation involve upfront costs, they quickly pay off through reduced power bills, extended appliance life, and improved comfort all year round.

Especially in Byron Bay, Ballina, Lennox Head, and Gold Coast, where climate is key, these changes can mean hundreds in savings annually.

✉️ Ready to Renovate Smarter?

Let’s talk about how your renovation can be energy-efficient, cost-effective, and designed for your lifestyle.

👉 Contact Moore Architecture for a tailored consultation.