In the 1970s, the world was experiencing a time of significant changes. The decade was marked by global oil crises, a growing environmental awareness, and a new wave of feminism. The lifestyle and household practices of women were also changing as they began to enter the workforce and take on new roles in society. As a result, magazines aimed at women began to focus on topics such as energy efficiency, conservation, and sustainability.
During a recent renovation, Exemplary Energy’s Managing Director Dave Ferrari came across a copy of a 1974 edition of “Women’s World” stashed in the walls of his home . Amongst cooking suggestions and patterns for childrens’ clothing, the glossy magazine contained a series of articles providing advice given to women on energy efficiency in the home.
In this post we will explore how the advice given in 1974 compares to current recommendations and why those differences may exist. We will also discuss what advice from that era still stands today and how heating and cooling practices have changed over time.
First, let’s take a look at the context of the era: The 1970s were a time of energy crisis, marked by skyrocketing oil prices and concerns about energy shortages. This led to a greater focus on energy conservation and efficiency, as people searched for ways to reduce their energy consumption and save money.
One of the first suggestions made by Women’s World for increasing energy efficiency was to insulate your home. This advice still holds true today, as insulation is one of the most cost-effective upgrades for most Australian homes to keep heat inside during the winter and outside during the summer. Other suggestions included sealing cracks and gaps around doors and windows, using draft stoppers, and covering windows with plastic during the winter to keep cold air out.
Interestingly, the magazine also suggested using a wood stove as a way to heat your home. While wood stoves are certainly a renewable energy source, they are also a source of air pollution and their need for large airflows to feed the furnace can produce drafts which reduce their efficacy on the building system. In addition, burning wood can create creosote buildup in your chimney, which can be a fire hazard. Today, there are many more efficient and cleaner options for heating your home, and electric heat pumps stand as the most efficient option.
Another questionable piece of advice from the 1970s was to keep your thermostat at a constant temperature. We now know that it is better to lower your thermostat at night or when you’re away from home to allow your heating or cooling system to work less when it doesn’t need to, saving you money on your energy bills.
There have been many advances in energy efficiency since 1974. As technology has improved, we now have better options for heating and cooling , as well as more efficient appliances and building materials. The shift to modern LED lighting means that switching off every light is no longer the priority it once was.
It is important to stay up to date on the latest energy-saving technologies and to make sure your home is as energy-efficient as possible. The same goes for managing commercial properties, although the economies of scale mean that the opportunities for improvement can be far greater! Not only will this help you save money on your energy bills, but it will also reduce your carbon footprint and help protect the planet for future generations.