What you can do

Living Sustainably

Energy Smart

Did you know?

Australian households spend on average, $1,500 on energy bills each year.

90% of that energy comes from fossil fuels such as coal – this creates greenhouse gas pollution and causes global warming and climate change. One tonne of greenhouse gas would fill a family home and Australian households produce eight tonnes of greenhouse gas every year.

What can I do?

Reduce greenhouse gas polution by making simple changes at home. Studies show that the way we go about our everyday activities accounts for up to 40% of energy consumption at home.

Easy ways to make a difference:

Install energy-efficient lighting such as compact florescent bulbs, and turn off lights when you leave a room
Switch off appliances at the power point instead of leaving them on "stand-by"
Wash clothes in cold water and avoid using a clothes dryer – let air and sunlight dry them wherever possible
Use the energy-saving settings on your dishwasher and let dishes air-dry
Choose appliances with a high energy star rating – the more stars, the less energy consumed
Install a solar hot water system, and make energy efficiency top priority for the booster or back–up
Turn down the heat when you're sleeping or away from home, and put on more clothing before adjusting a thermostat, and add extra insulation to walls or ceilings
Keep cooler by using external shading such as eaves, awnings, shutters or trees to reduce heat gain by as much as 80%
Source your electricity through an approved GreenPower program – your current supplier might be greener than you think or you may want to shop around