Energy Saving Tips

Draft proof your home by regularly checking the external door seals. Add weather strips around windows and doors and cover vents and fans to seal off air leaks.

When buying new appliances, be sure to purchase energy-efficient models with as many stars as possible.

Set the air-conditioner thermostat at 24 degrees or higher, in summer and at 21 degrees or lower in winter. Each degree change means a 10% change in energy consumed.

If your old air conditioner is on its way out replace it with a split system inverter unit with as many stars in its energy-efficiency rating as possible.

You can lower your lighting bill by converting to energy-efficient low-wattage compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED lighting and fixtures. The light generated by modern versions is very acceptable. If you have too many of the 12 volt halogen lights (as was the fashion a few years ago), you are burning more electricity than you need to and adding significant heat loads to your house.

Consider replacing windows with double glazed versions. (e.g. Magnetite)

Clean or replace heater and air-conditioner filters regularly, following manufacturer's instructions.

Set the water heater thermostat at 60 degrees. Wash only full loads in a washing machine and use the shortest cycle that will get your clothes clean. Experiment with different detergents to find one that will work most effectively for you - it probably won't be the cheapest brand or the most colourful box.

If operating instructions allow, turn off the dishwasher before the drying cycle, open the door and let the dishes dry naturally. Fix defective plumbing or dripping taps. A single dripping hot water tap can waste over 1000 litres of water a month. That not only increases water bills, but also increases the gas or electricity bill for heating the water.

Defrost refrigerators and freezers before ice build up becomes 10 mm thick.

Install shades, awnings or sunscreens on windows facing north and/or west to block the hot summer sun. In winter, open shades on sunny days to help warm rooms.

Replace and recycle your old refrigerator and/or freezer and purchase energy-efficient models. Units more than 10 years old have been shown to use two to three times more electricity than a new energy rated model.

Reduce heat transfer through windows by using heavy and/or lined, close-fitting curtains or blinds that hang to the floor, with closed pelmets at the top.

 Tips on how you can save energy  

Heating - How to heat up your home efficiently

1. Choose the right size appliance for the area you want to heat.
2. Use space heaters when heating a single room.
3. Open curtains during the day to let sunlight in to your home.
4. Close doors, windows and curtains when trying to keep heat in.
5. Keep doors to cold rooms (like kitchens, bathrooms and laundries) closed. This 
can prevent up to 75% of total heat loss from a home.
6. Stop draughts by sealing unused chimneys with chimney dampers, sealing gaps 
around doors, and switching off range hoods and exhaust fans.
7. Insulate ceiling, walls, and floors.

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

15. Fix dripping taps.
16. Use only cold water where possible.
17. Use the bathroom plug when shaving or washing.

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

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 12% of total energy costs on incandescent 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.