Energy Efficiency Tips

1. Minimise hot water usage

Hot water makes up 30-40% of the average household's energy use in NSW. Reduce shower times, install water-efficient showerheads and use cold water to wash clothes.

2. Dry clothes on the line

An average clothes dryer generates more than 3 kilograms of greenhouse gases each cycle. Hang your clothes on the instead.

3. Turn off appliances at the power point

Standby power accounts for 11% of Australia's residential electricity use. Appliances left on standby can cost the average home more than $100 per year so turn off appliances at the wall (ACF 2009).

4. Insulate your house

Install ceiling and wall insulation to help moderate temperature variations within the house. Insulation helps to keep your home cool in summer and warm in the winter months.

5. Use energy efficient light bulbs

Compact fluoro light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions and electricity costs by 75% (Pears 2007). They can pay for themselves in 3 to 6 months, last about 8 times longer than ordinary globes and are cheap to run.
(District Council of Mt Barker 2009)

6. Go solar

Generating your own electricity with solar panels reduces your carbon footprint and slashes electricity bills. Install a gas-boosted, solar hot water system and solar PV panels.

7. Be fridge smart

Ensure that your fridge is clean, well ventilated and turn off that second fridge!

8. Choose energy efficient products

Domestic appliances have an Energy Rating label which allows consumers to view the model's energy efficiency and average electricity consumption. See http://www.energyrating.gov.au/

9. Install ceiling fans

An average household can spend up to $500 dollars on air conditioning over summer (Country Energy 2008). Use fans and evaporative coolers instead.

10. Shade your windows

When sun enters rooms it brings with it huge amounts of heat. Use awnings, external blinds or vegetation to provide shading of windows - especially for western and eastern facing windows.