Save Energy Save Earth

  1. Energy Saving Heating TIPs
  2. Summer Cooling
  3. Hot Water
  4. Refrigeration
  5. Cloths washing & Drying
  6. Dishwashing
  7. Cooking
  8. Energy Efficient Lighting Hints
  9. Other Appliances and General Energy Saving Tips


Energy Saving Heating TIPs

  • Close doors to separate heated from unheated areas of your home, and minimize the area you are heating.
  • Heat living areas to less than 21oC, every 1 oC increase in thermostat setting increases heating bills by around 15%.
  • Heat bedroom areas heated to less than 18oC.
  • Turn off the heating overnight and when you are out during the day.
  • If you have gas heaters, turn-off heater pilot lights during the warmer months.
  • Use a space or portable heater instead of the Central Heater, if only one room needs heating.
  • Choose heaters with thermostat controls and timers.
  • Choose heaters with ISI mark.
  • Keep heaters clean and regularly serviced.
  • Close windows and doors when you are heating.
  • Shut curtains, drapes and blinds when you are heating.
  • Use ceiling sweep fans to help distribute heat.
  • Open curtains and drapes on sunny winter days to let the sunlight in.

Other Heating and Cooling Tips:

  • Insulate your home, higher levels of insulation reduces heat entering the house and makes any cooling or heating system more effective and efficient.
  • Seal up your home, use draft excluders on doors and windows and seal all gaps to the outside.

Summer Cooling
Poor house design, inadequate insulation and lack of proper window shading, means many homes will need to invest in a cooling system to stay comfortable. For many consumers with large homes the cost of running a whole house air-conditioner could add as much as $600 to the summer electricity bill.
Energy Saving Summer Cooling Tips:

  • Ensure windows are well shaded from summer sun by external blinds or awnings.
  • Open windows and ventilate the house when the outside temperature is lower than inside.
  • On a hot day, close all blinds, curtains, windows and doors to keep out the heat.
  • Regularly clean the air-conditioner or cooler, keeping coils and fans free of dust.
  • Keep the area you are cooling to a minimum.
  • Cool bedroom and living areas to no less than 24oC.
  • Turn off the cooler overnight and when you are out during the day.
  • Locate the cooler on the shaded side of the home, away from ect sunlight.
  • Buy an air-conditioner with a 5 or 6 star energy rating
  • Run exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to flush out hot air overnight. This is especially useful on still nights.
  • Use fans to create cooling breezes.
  • Put off jobs such as cooking, washing and ironing for a cooler time of the day.

Wear lightweight clothing so that air can pass across your skin and evaporate moisture. Keep lights to a minimum on hot summer nights.
Hot Water
Energy used for heating a familys hot water can cost up to $400 each year and contribute some 5 tonnes of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.
Energy Saving Hot Water Tips:

  • Insulate external hot water pipes.
  • Ensure hot water taps in good repair no leaks or drips.
  • Check that your hot water heaters TPR (relief) valve is not leaking excessively.
  • Check that the hot water is at the optimum temperature.
  • If the unit has an adjustable thermostat, turn the hot water temperature down.
  • Use cold rinse for clothes washing and dishwashing.
  • Locate the hot water service close to hot water outlets.
  • Turn-off your water heater when you go on holiday for a week or more.
  • Use a water saving shower-head in your shower.
  • Have a short shower instead of a bath.

Use a cold rinse for your clothes-washing and dish-washing. If buying a gas water heater, consider a unit with a 5 or 6 star energy rating
Refrigeration
The electricity used by refrigerators and freezers in a typical household can cost up to $220 each year and contribute over 2 tons of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.
Energy Saving Refrigeration Tips:

  • Defrost and clean the inside of your refrigerator and freezer at least every six months
  • Clean the coils behind your refrigerator at least once a year.
  • Keep the temperature in your refrigerator between 3 oC and 5 oC.
  • Keep the temperature in your freezer between -18 oC and -15 oC.
  • Check that the door seals on the refrigerator and freezer are tight fitting the seals hold a five dollar bill in place when the door is closed.
  • Switch off additional refrigerators and freezers if they are mostly empty or only used occasionally.
  • Stock Refrigerators or Freezers during cooler periods.
  • Keep well stocked and pack items so cool air can circulate freely around the inside of the unit.
  • Ensure good air circulation around the outside and behind the unit. Place the unit in a shaded and cool location.
  • Open the doors only when required and keep them open as briefly as possible.

Buy a unit with a 5 or 6 star energy rating
Cloths washing &Drying
Energy used for clothes washing and drying can cost a typical family up to $150 each year and generate up to 1.5 tons of greenhouse gas.
Energy Saving Clothes Washing & Drying Tips:

  • Run the clothes washer or clothes dryer only with full loads.
  • Wash clothes in cold water.
  • Ensure clothes are well spun before they are put in the dryer.
  • Clean the lint filter in the clothes dryer each time you use it.
  • Put moist clothes in the dryer, not dripping wet.
  • turn off the dryer as soon as the clothes are dry enough, dont over dry the clothes.
  • Locate the dryer in a warm space. Dry heavy articles separately from light articles.
  • Use the cool-down cycle on the dryer, especially if articles are just damp.

Buy a Clothes Washer or Dryer with a 4 or 5 star energy rating
Dishwashing
Energy Saving Dishwashing Tips:
Run the dishwasher only when full.

  • Use the economy cycle when running the dishwasher.
  • Stop the dishwasher before the drying cycle and open the door to let the dishes air-dry.

Buy a Dishwasher with a 5 or 6 star energy rating
Cooking
Energy used in a typical household for cooking can cost as much as $150 each year and generate up to 1.5 tons of greenhouse gas.
Energy Saving Cooking Tips:

  • Use a microwave oven instead of a conventional oven.
  • Keep surfaces and reflectors clean and well maintained.
  • Use the right size hotplate for the right size pot.
  • Use energy efficient cooking practices, such as; using minimum water, keeping lids on pots, simmering instead of boiling and keeping cooking times to a minimum.
  • Turn the oven off a few minutes before your food is ready.
  • Keep the inside of the microwave oven clean.
  • Use smaller appliances such as toaster ovens instead of the conventional oven or grill for smaller portions.
  • Use an electric kettle instead of boiling water on the cook-top.
  • Use a pressure cooker instead of conventional pots and pans.
  • Cook several dishes at the same time in the oven.
  • Use thermometers or timers to avoid over-cooking.
  • Ensure the seals on your oven are in good condition.
  • Avoid opening the oven door unnecessarily during cooking.
  • Thaw frozen food before cooking. In a microwave oven, cook smaller pieces rather than large chunks.
  • In a microwave oven, arrange unevenly shaped items with the thickest portion to the outside.
  • In a microwave oven, regularly stir or turn the food over to speed up cooking time. lighting

In a typical home, electricity for lighting costs about $80 each year and generates over half a tonne of greenhouse gas.
Energy Efficient Lighting Hints

  • Turn-off lights when you leave a room.
  • Use fluorescent lighting or compact fluorescent lamps in the kitchen, lounge, family room and other areas where lights are on for more than 4 hours each day.
  • Use fluorescent or compact fluorescent lamps fitted to security lights and outdoor lights that are on for more than 4 hours each day.
  • Use programmable timers, daylight sensors or motion sensors to control outdoor and security lighting.
  • Use task lighting rather than whole room lighting when a small amount of light is required.
  • Regularly clean light fittings, reflectors and lampshades.
  • Use the lowest wattage globes to adequately light the area you require. Maximise the use of natural light through the use of soft or pale coloured interiors and furnishings.

Other Appliances
Other Appliances and General Energy Saving Tips

  • Turn off appliances at the power-point when they are not being used.
  • If you have a waterbed, make the bed as soon as you get up, covering it completely with a thick quilt.
  • Switch on electric blankets no more than half an hour before you go to bed and switch off just before you are in bed.
  • Turn off TVs and VCRs at the unit, rather than just using the remote control.
  • Switch off computers and printers at the power-point.
  • Use a solar pool heater to heat a swimming pool or spa pool.
  • Keep the swimming pool water temperature less than 27oC.
  • Use a timer to turn the filter pump on and off.
  • Cover the pool or spa pool with a pool blanket when not in use.