Tips on how you can save energy

Heating - How to heat up your home efficiently

Hot Water - How to save power when heating up your hot water

8.    Switch off your electric hot water unit if you're going away for a week or more.
9.    Set the temperature of your hot water between 60°C and 65°C.
10.  If you have small children, set your bathroom hot water temperature to 
       50°C-55°C to decrease the risk of scalding.
11.  Fix that drip! A hot water tap dripping at the rate of 1 drip per second can waste 
       up to $25 worth of hot water in a year.
12.  Installing a AAA-rated water efficient shower rose can result in significant savings
       on both your energy and water bills.
13.  Installing a solar-boosted hot water unit can save you up to 90% of your hot 
       water costs on a sunny day.
14.  Insulate your pipes for your hot water service to prevent heat loss.

Bathroom - How to save water in the bathroom

Cooking - How to save power in the kitchen


 



18.    Microwaves can cook food three times faster than a standard oven while 



        using up to 70% less electricity.




19.    Use the least amount of required water when steaming.




20.    Where possible, cook food with a lid on.




21.    Thaw foods completely before cooking.



22.    Only boil as much water as you need in a kettle.



23.    An electric kettle consumes less energy than boiling water on a stove.



24.    Only pre-heat oven if necessary.



25.    Pressure cookers require only half the energy as standard ovens.



26.    Avoid opening the oven door when cooking as it reduces the temperature 



        by up to 20 degrees each time.










Storing Food - How to store food energy efficiently

27.    The temperature of your fridge should be set between 3°C and 4°C whilst your 
         freezer should be set between -15°C and -18°C.
28.    Defrost your freezer if required as it restricts the flow of cold air.
29.    Fridges should be kept out of direct sunlight where possible.

Dishwasher - How to save electricity with your dishwasher

30.    Only run the dishwasher with a full load.
31.    Turn off the dishwasher before drying cycle and opening the door to let the
         dishes air-dry.
32.    Select the Economy cycle where possible.
33.    Only run the dishwasher when full.
34.    Use cold water when rinsing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.

Laundry - How to save water in the laundry

35.    Only wash whites and heavily soiled clothes with hot water.
36.    Over-loaded machines use more electricity and don’t launder the clothes 
         as well.
37.    Dry clothes out doors or use a clothes horse where possible. Remember – 
         dry, windy days dry clothes quickly.
38.    Ensure the lint filter is clean before turning on the dryer.

Computers - How to save electricity with your computers and laptops

39.    Turn off the computer screen if it won’t be in use for more than 10 minutes.
40.    Energy star computers with a sleep mode consume up to 80% less energy than 
         conventional computers, with laptops up to 90%.

Lights - How to save energy with lights

41.    Turn the lights off when leaving a room.
42.    Turn power off at the power point when an appliance won’t be used for a few 
         hours or more.
43.    Energy efficient lamps consume up to 75% less energy than incandescent ones 
         and can last up to 8 times longer.

Energy Ratings - How to choose energy efficient appliances

44.    When buying any electrical appliance, look for an energy rating as it indicates
         the appliance’s level of efficiency.

Outdoors - How to save energy and water in your backyard or garden  

45.    Use a solar heater for the pool or spa.
46.    Keep the swimming pool water temperature below 27 degrees.
47.    Use a timer to turn the pool filter pump on and off.
48.    Cover the pool or spa with a pool blanket when not in use.
49.    Install programmable timers, daylight sensors or motion sensors to control
         outdoor security and lighting.
50.    Use florescent lighting or compact florescent lamps fitted to security lights and 
         outdoor lights that are on for more than 4 hours per day.

Other ways to save power around the home

51.    As a general rule, larger appliances use more energy.
52.    Leaving TV’s, VCR’s, DVD’s, and stereos on stand-by mode can generate up 
         to 150 kilograms of greenhouse gas per year.
53.    An average household spends 2% of total energy costs on lighting.
54.    The average household spends up to 25% of total energy costs on hot water.
55.    9% of average household energy costs is attributed to refrigerators and 
         freezers.
56.    AAA-rated water efficient shower rose can reduce hot water usage by up 
         to 70%.
57.    Solar boosted hot water can save up to 50% of household hot water costs.
58.    The average household spends up to 8% on total energy costs on cooking.
59.    Approximately 50% of total household costs are attributed to heating.
60.    A high efficiency ducted system with a zoning option could save up to $400 
         a year in running costs compared with low efficiency alternatives that heat the 
         whole house.
61.    A heated towel rack can cost up to $160 a year to operate.
62.    A dripping hot water tap can waste 12,000 litres of hot water a year.
63.    A computer screen consumes more energy than the processor.
64.    Taking 3 minute showers instead of baths can save up to $20 per person 
         per year.
65.    Freezers cost more to run than fridges.
66.    Freezers are most efficient when packed at the recommended capacity.
67.    Fan-forced ovens use up to 35% less energy than conventional ovens.
68.    Microwaves use up to 70% less energy than ovens.
69.    Front-loading washing machines are up to 15% more energy efficient than top 
         loading machines.