Laundry and Kitchen

• When Clothes washing always use the machine only when it’s full; choose a machine that uses the least energy and water; and wash in cold water when possible.
• Drying Clothes: use a clothes line or clothes horse/rack instead of an electric dryer when possible. Your clothes will last longer as well.
• Dishwasher: only use when you have a full load, use a shorter wash cycle if dishes are pre rinsed and constantly empty the filter to maintain wash efficiency.
• Set your freezer to -18°C, and your fridge between 2°C and 4°C. Room temperature can affect fridge temperature, so be aware of this and adjust the setting in hot weather to prevent food spoiling.

• A big-screen TV used for six hours a day can use more energy per year than a family sized fridge. Purchase an efficient fridge, and turn the TV off when you’re not watching.
• Stand-by power equates to about 10% of all electricity consumption in the home. Turn all TVs, games consoles and computers off at the power point – This will save your household around $150 per year.

Heating and cooling

Heating and cooling contribute the majority of a home’s annual energy bill. About 25% of all energy used in the average home is for heating and cooling.

Far less energy is required to heat and cool buildings when insulated properly.

• Your roof needs to be properly insulated, along with ceilings and walls. In summer, up to 35% of the heat in your house enters through an uninsulated ceiling, while 15% to 25% gets in through uninsulated walls.
• Draft proof doors and windows with door snakes and proper window seals.
• Close curtains and blinds during hot summer days and during cold nights to further assist insulation.
• Air conditioners are high energy consumers for cooling, so use them only when necessary. Buy conditioners with a programmable timer and thermostat/ climate controls. Set your air conditioner at the highest temperature setting at which you still feel comfortable; 25ºC is usually sufficient on a hot days.
• Fans are cheaper and far less harmful to the environment than air conditioners.
• Ensure all windows and doors are closed when your heater or air conditioning is on.
• When expecting a hot day, turn on the air conditioner early, rather than wait until your home is hot.
• Begin heating your home early when expecting a cold day to preserve energy.
• Only heat areas you are using, and with an appropriate size heater for the room.

Hot Water

• Properly insulate your external hot water service and the pipes leading to your bathroom, laundry and kitchen.
• Turn off your hot water system at the main switch when you go on holidays for a few days or more.
• High-efficiency gas water heaters and solar hot water systems boosted by electricity or gas are better for the environment than traditional electric heaters.