Economic case for simulated thermal energy improvements to existing older south Australian houses

Abstract

This paper investigates the simple payback period, of retrofitting a typical older existing South Australian house, that improves the star rating from 1.6 to beyond the current new build requirement of 6. The payback period varies between 6.5 and 16 years, using modest fuel escalation rates, and examines the sensitivity of energy tariffs, as well as the energy conversion efficiencies of typical space conditioning systems used in South Australia, i.e. reverse-cycle ducted air conditioning systems, and ducted gas and evaporative coolers.