Green Loans - Energy Saving Tips
Reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions should be Australia's top priority, and every single action counts! There are many practical and easy actions that are easy to implement, it will only take you a little change in your lifestyle and this change will have an immediate impact by saving you money and improving the wellbeing of the environment!
When buying, renting, building or renovating a home, make it a goal to be aware of the energy efficiency gains, as well the savings that can be made by installing energy efficient appliances and lighting.
It will also help save energy if you keep your fridges and freezers clean and well ventilated:
This means that your fridge and freezer need space on all sides to allow heat to escape. Check regularly that your door seals are kept clean and close tightly. Also it is better to locate fridges and freezers away from heat sources such as ovens and cook tops. Fridges operate best at temperatures between 3 to 5°C. Outside of these temperatures, it costs more to run and can frost up. For freezers, the recommended range is -15 to -18°C. Regular defrosting of both fridge and freezers is recommended to remove any frost build-up.
It makes good sense to buy energy-efficient appliances with low standby power usage. Look at the energy or water rating label and choose one with a high star rating.
Wash your clothes in cold water and then hang them outside on the clothesline to dry:
By using cold water instead of hot water to wash your clothes you will save up to 3.5 kilograms of greenhouse gases per wash (Commonwealth of Australia, 2007).
Avoid using the clothes dryer as they can generate more than 3 kilograms of greenhouse gases per load (Commonwealth of Australia, 2007). If you need to use your clothes dryer you could hang your clothes on a rack to dry before finishing them off in the dryer.
When replacing an electric hot water service install a high efficiency gas or solar unit.
When buying, renting, building or renovating a home, make it a goal to be aware of the energy efficiency gains, as well the savings that can be made by installing energy efficient appliances and lighting.
Light Globes
Consider switching your regular light globes to energy efficient fluorescent lights as they use 75% less energy than your regular light bulbsInsuluation
Insulate your ceiling, walls and floors, did you know that a home that is not insulated can lose up to 35% of heat from the ceiling, up to 25% through walls and up to 20% through floors (Commonwealth of Australia, 2007). The government is currently offering great rebates as part of the home efficiency scheme for households willing to insulate their ceiling.Air Conditioning
On warm days, you can start by closing your external blind, pergola or a deciduous vine can to keep out the sun in summer. Well-designed eaves shade summer sun while allowing winter sun in. It is important to externally shade east and west windows in summer.Cooking Tips
Gas is cheaper and less damaging to the environment than electricity. If you don t have access to gas, choose preferably the microwave (some models come with a browning element) and electric kettle instead of the stovetop. Fill the kettle with the minimum amount of water needed. Any more just wastes energy.It will also help save energy if you keep your fridges and freezers clean and well ventilated:
This means that your fridge and freezer need space on all sides to allow heat to escape. Check regularly that your door seals are kept clean and close tightly. Also it is better to locate fridges and freezers away from heat sources such as ovens and cook tops. Fridges operate best at temperatures between 3 to 5°C. Outside of these temperatures, it costs more to run and can frost up. For freezers, the recommended range is -15 to -18°C. Regular defrosting of both fridge and freezers is recommended to remove any frost build-up.
It makes good sense to buy energy-efficient appliances with low standby power usage. Look at the energy or water rating label and choose one with a high star rating.
Computers
Most computers are energy star compliant and use minimal power when in standby mode, most computers though do not have this standby mode feature switched on.Showers
When replacing your old showerhead makes sure you choose a 3 star rated shower head that will allow you to save hundreds of litres of water each year.Water Consumption
In order to reduce your water bill and help Australia get through the drought problems it faces at the moment, the best way is still to reduce your shower time, and reduce water daily consumption (i.e make the kids close the tap while washing their teeth etc...)Wash your clothes in cold water and then hang them outside on the clothesline to dry:
By using cold water instead of hot water to wash your clothes you will save up to 3.5 kilograms of greenhouse gases per wash (Commonwealth of Australia, 2007).
Avoid using the clothes dryer as they can generate more than 3 kilograms of greenhouse gases per load (Commonwealth of Australia, 2007). If you need to use your clothes dryer you could hang your clothes on a rack to dry before finishing them off in the dryer.
When replacing an electric hot water service install a high efficiency gas or solar unit.
