What you can do

Living Sustainably

Energy Smart

Make your home energy smart

There are simple changes you can introduce that will cut your energy use and reduce your greenhouse emissions.

Are you looking at buying new appliances, equipment or fittings? About to build or renovate? Your choice, and good planning and design can make a big difference.

Heating and cooling

Make sure you're not overheating or overcooling – a one degree difference can alter your energy consumption by 10%.

Energy saving tips:

Select a system with a thermostat or temperature sensor – this can save 40% of the running cost
Choose a heating or cooling system with high energy efficiency – use the Energy Rating scheme as a guide
Choose and design a heating or cooling system to suit the room size and demand
Locate thermostat panels on an internal wall, away from direct sunlight or other heating and cooling sources that could distort readings
Operate thermostats with an inside room temperature of 18 - 21°C in winter and 23 - 26°C in summer
Position the outdoor component of the system out of direct sunlight
If you have adjustable louvres, adjust them towards the ceiling when cooling and towards the floor when heating (cool air falls, hot air rises)
Only heat or cool rooms in use and switch systems off when you're not at home
Dress for the weather – in winter, put on warmer clothing rather than use the heater
Check for air gaps and seal off draughts in doors, windows, fireplaces, air outlets, vents and skirting boards – use an appropriate draught-proofing product
Use window coverings and internal doors to minimise heat transfer and loss
Choose and install energy efficient windows – use the Window Energy Rating scheme as a guide
Use external shading such as planting, blinds or awnings to keep direct sun off windows and cut down heat gain
Ensure walls and ceilings are well insulated, and minimise gaps in coverage – remember keep insulation away from hot flues and exhaust fans (min 90mm gap), electrical wiring and recessed light fittings (min 25mm perimeter gap)
Investigate the use and benefits of under-floor insulation
Make sure your roof is lined with reflective foil (sarking)

The right design decisions can eliminate expensive air conditioning and heating systems and greatly reduce running costs. Investigate opportunities for natural ventilation, heating and cooling and/or underfloor or space heating systems.

Use the Heating and cooling fact sheet and the Energy Smart tips for preventing heat loss and minimising heat gain to help you with system selection and energy saving strategies.

Lighting

Make the most of natural light wherever possible. Good lighting is more than just light levels, it's about effective lighting design. Design and furnish your home to encourage and exploit natural sunlight. A lighting designer can help you balance lighting needs with energy efficiency.

Artificial lighting - energy saving tips:

Use the lowest wattage globe – choose energy efficient light bulbs such as the compact florescent
Use task lighting or special purpose lighting to supplement general lighting
Turn off lights when you leave a room – consider using timers or sensors rather than leaving lights on for prolonged periods
In places where lights need to stay on for long periods use compact florescent bulbs
Avoid using a single switch to activate several lights
Look at alternatives before choosing downlights – many lights are required to illuminate a room and holes in the ceiling and insulation contribute to heat loss
Keep lights and fittings clean – dusty globes and fittings reduce light output
Avoid multi-globe light fittings – you typically need six 25-watt globes to produce the equivalent light output of a single 100-watt globe

Use the Lighting fact sheet and Energy Smart tips to help you with lighting choices, globe types and energy saving strategies.

Hot water

Water heating accounts for 30% of total household energy use and about the same proportion of an average Australian household's greenhouse gas emissions.

Choose the system which will be most energy-efficient for your needs.

Investigate running costs as well as installation and purchase costs. Look at the options available, including solar, heat pump or natural gas. Select a system that is the right size for your household.

If you go solar, ask your supplier about Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for solar water heaters – you might be eligible for a discount on the purchase cost.

Energy saving tips:

Choose and install an energy efficient hot water system – use the Energy Rating labelling scheme as a guide
Minimise heat loss in pipes, install the system as close as possible to where it will be used the most - if this is not possible, place it where small but frequent amounts of hot water are drawn off (typically the kitchen)
Monitor and adjust your hot water thermostat – reduce the temperature to a more efficient level but don't go lower than 60°C as dangerous bacteria could form
Insulate hot water pipes, especially the first two metres leading from the hot water system – use appropriate insulation materials
Contact the hot water system manufacturer and/or installer to identify opportunities for adding extra insulation to the system – don't restrict flues or air vents
Shelter the hot water unit to avoid heat loss through draughts and wet weather – for gas systems protect the pilot light
Turn your hot water unit off if you're going away for an extended period – some units have a 'vacation' setting
If you have 'mixer' taps pay careful attention to make sure you're not mixing hot and cold water when you need cold water only
Investigate and consider a solar hot water system – this could provide 50% to 90% of your hot water at zero operating cost
If you have a solar hot water system plan your usage to take advantage of sunlight – use hot water early in the day, with more available later

Use the Hot Water Service and Solar Hot Water fact sheets, and the Energy Smart tips to help you with hot water service selection and energy saving strategies.

Kitchen

Energy saving tips:

Monitor and adjust your fridge thermostat – set the temperature at an appropriate level for the capacity, contents and season
Operate fridge thermostats with a freezer temperature of -15 to -18°C and the fresh food compartment at around 3 - 4°C
Don't set the temperature too low – a one degree difference can alter your energy consumption by up to 5%
Open the fridge and freezer door as little as possible and avoid placing hot food in the fridge – let it cool down first
Keep the fridge in a cool, well ventilated spot, away from the oven and the sun
Ensure the fridge/freezer unit coils are clean and well ventilated
Check the fridge and freezer doors close properly and are airtight – replace the seal and adjust the door hinge as required
Turn off the fridge or freezer when it's not needed – leave the door slightly ajar
Operate the dishwasher when it's full and choose the most appropriate wash cycle – use economy mode where possible (lowest temperature or shortest running time)
Avoid using the electric oven when a microwave, electric frypan or pressure cooker would suffice
Use lids on saucepans and simmer gently, rather than boil rapidly
Clean exhaust fans and divert the exhaust outside the home

Use the White goods fact sheet and the Energy Smart tips to help you with kitchen and appliance energy saving strategies.

Laundry and bathroom

Energy saving tips:

Operate the washing machine when it's full or adjust the cycle and load for a reduced capacity
Wash using cold water – this can save three kilograms of greenhouse gases per load compared to a hot wash
Air-dry or sun-dry clothes rather than using a dryer
Don't overload your clothes dryer – don't put dripping wet clothes in the dryer
Use the optimal temperature setting for the fabrics you are drying and clean the lint filter after each load
Take advantage of residual heat – when handling several loads do them one after the other
Ensure the clothes dryer is well ventilated
Iron clothing in batches rather than piece by piece
Don't overheat the iron – iron lightweight fabrics first on lower heat settings and use dry ironing rather than steam
Consider front-loading washing machines – they use less energy and water than top-loading appliances
Keep showers short and turn off ventilation fans when they are no longer required

Use the White goods fact sheet and Energy Smart tips to help you with kitchen and appliance energy saving strategies.

Outdoor areas

Energy saving tips:

Install timers or sensors for outdoor lighting wherever possible – don't leave lights on overnight
Avoid over-lighting outdoor areas and install switches to control individual lights
Ensure your pool filter is the right size and calculate the exact duration required for keeping the water clean
Monitor and confirm the filter timer is working correctly
Use a pool cover when not in use – minimises cleaning, heat loss and evaporation
Use simple solar heating devices and pool covers as strategies for heating

Study and home office

Energy saving tips:

Purchase equipment with ENERGY STAR functions and make sure the power-saving function is enabled
Turn off all equipment and lights when not in use – or turn off accessories if the primary unit cannot be switched off, e.g. monitor, printer, speakers, external drive, scanner and modem
Use task lighting and install energy efficient light bulbs such as the compact florescent
Print only when necessary and use double-sided printing mode