EnergyWise Tips
Tips for:
Keeping cool
Check the air-conditioner thermostat: Set your air-conditioner to 24 or 25 degrees Celsius in summer. You can save up to 10 per cent off cooling costs for every one degree Celsius that you raise the temperature.
Catch the breeze: Cross-ventilation is very effective in helping to keep your home cool. Open windows and doors when the outside temperature is lower than the inside temperature.
Use fans: Try using a fan to keep you cool before you turn on the air-conditioner. Switch fans off when you leave the room.
Shade the windows: Consider using awnings, trellises, shade sails or external blinds to keep the direct sunlight from heating up your home. Planting trees and shrubs on the western side of your house can also provide shade and keep it cooler in summer.
Insulation: Insulating your roof and walls can dramatically reduce your cooling and heating needs. It's best to get professional advice from an insulation company so you get the right product for your home.
Draw the curtains: Close curtains or blinds when using the air-conditioner, this will help to keep the cool air in.
General maintenance: Regularly clean the dust from fans and air-conditioner filters as per the manufacturer's instructions. This will improve the airflow and your appliance will work more efficiently. Remember to point the vents toward the floor, this will help to push the cold air towards you.
Service your air-conditioner: Air-conditioners require regular maintenance to keep them working efficiently. Check your manufacturer's guide for information.
Keeping warm
Wear warm clothes: Limit how much you use the heater in winter. Use extra blankets and warm clothes where possible.
Switch off heaters: Turn off all heaters and electric blankets before going to bed, to cut energy use and reduce fire danger.
Use your hot water bottle: Use a hot water bottle and a blanket when watching TV instead of using a heater. Consider using a hot water bottle in bed instead of using an electric blanket. It cost less than 2 cents to boil a kettle of water and a hot water bottle will stay warmer for longer without using any electricity.
Draught-proof your home: Seal gaps around doors and windows to stop hot air entering your home in summer and warm air escaping in winter. Unsealed draughts can account for up to 25 per cent of the heat lost from your home. 'Door snakes', towels and or rolled-up newspaper can be effective in stopping heat escaping under the door.
Heat your home efficiently: A reverse-cycle air-conditioner in heating mode set to 18 or 19 degrees Celsius is the most efficient way to heat your home. You can save more energy by closing off the areas that don't require heating.
Close off rooms: If you need to use the heater, close off rooms that you are not using before you switch it on. Heating rooms that you are not using is a waste of energy.
Lighting
Switch off lights: It's an old myth that you'll save money by leaving your fluorescent lights on, so switch off all lights when you leave the room.
Choose light coloured lamp shades: Use light-coloured, non-opaque lampshades to maximise the light output of lamps.
Replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs: Compact fluorescent lamps (or CFLs) use up to five times less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with CFLs now, and you'll recoup the purchase price through lower energy costs. These lamps come in a range of colours, shapes and sizes now, so you are likely to find a CFL for all your existing light fittings.
Downlights: Did you know that 12-volt halogen downlights use a lot of energy and generate a lot of heat? Consider installing energy-efficient downlights. Fluorescent downlights can use up to three times less energy and last five times longer.
Use less watts: Use low wattage globes in areas that don't need bright lighting, such as hallways.
Information about the safe disposal of CFLs and other fluorescent tubes is available at www.environment.gov.au
Kitchen
Multiple fridges or freezers: If you have a second fridge, turn it off until you really need it. If your second fridge is outdoors or in the sun, consider bringing it inside so the fridge will be cooler and use less energy.
Maintain your fridge: Regularly clean dust away from condenser coils at the back of fridges. There should be at least a 5 centimetre gap between the back of your fridge and the wall to allow the heat to disperse. A well-ventilated fridge will run more efficiently.
Microwave cooking: Up to 90 per cent of the energy used by ovens is wasted. Use alternatives such as the microwave, electric frying pan or pressure cooker.
Maximise efficiency, save cooking time: Keep lids on pots to minimise the time it takes to cook using the stove. Every time you open your oven door, it loses about 4 degrees of heat. Keep the oven door shut to cook your food quickly and efficiently.
Check fridge seals: Check your fridge and freezer seals regularly. Damaged fridge seals can cause your fridge to run inefficiently and use more energy. Clean and replace them as required.
Old fridges: Pre-1999 fridges can use around 30 per cent more energy than newer models, so consider replacing your old fridge. Contact your local council to find out how to properly dispose of your old fridge.
When buying a new fridge: If you buy a new fridge, ensure it is large enough to meet the needs of your household. It is more economical to run one larger fridge, than multiple fridges and freezers. Fridges with freezers on top use 10 to 15 per cent less energy compared with side-by-side models of an equivalent size. Aim for an energy star rating of four stars or more.
Installing gas appliances: Consider installing or replacing electric cooking appliances with gas. The Department of Mines and Energy provides rebates for installing gas appliances.
Using the dishwasher: Use the 'economy wash' setting on your dishwasher, and remember to only run it when it is full.
Bathroom and laundry
Use a clothes line: Hang your washing on a clothes line or airer instead of using a tumble dryer.
Clean the lint filter: If you must use a clothes dryer, clean out the lint filter each time you use it. It will work more efficiently and reduce fire danger.
Dry Ironing: Iron clothes in large batches to avoid having to re-heat the iron. The 'steam' setting uses more energy, so 'dry' iron wherever possible.
Bathroom appliances: Ensure exhaust fans, heaters (including heated lights), shavers and hair straighteners are switched off when not in use.
Wash clothes in cold water: Wash clothes in cold water to save energy. Water heating accounts for up to 90 percent of energy consumed by washing clothes. Use laundry powder suitable for washing in cold water to get the best results.
Take short showers: Limit yourself to a four-minute shower. A shower timer can help you keep track of the time.
Replace bathroom fittings: Install AAA or 3-star low-flow showerheads to save energy through reduced hot water use. Be WaterWise—fix leaky taps while you're at it.
Greenhouse efficient hot water system: Install a greenhouse efficient hot water system. Solar hot water systems use up to four times less electricity than a regular electric storage hot water system. You might even be eligible for a rebate to help with the upfront cost.
Standby power
Switch off at the wall: Switch appliances off at the wall when you're not using them. Use reminder notes until the practice becomes second nature. The average household pays around $100 in standby power costs a year.
Use powerboards: Can't reach your powerpoints to switch appliances off? Use powerboards to make powerpoints easier to get to.
Outdoors
Cleaning the pool: Reduce your pool pump running time during cooler months of the year. Refer to your pool filtration manual for details or contact a pool specialist who can design a filtration regime to suit your pool.
Use a pool cover: Use pool and spa covers to reduce your energy consumption, filtration time and top-up water.
Outside lights: Install motion sensors or use solar garden lights. Use CFL spotlights or Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps in your outdoor lights to save more energy.
Off-peak tariffs: Connect new pool and spa pumps to an off-peak tariff to save money on your electricity bills. Contact your electricity retailer for details. Appliances connected to off-peak tariffs need to be hard-wired by an electrician.
Other languages