The Save Power Challenge, a partnership between News Limited and the Department of Environment Climate Change and Water NSW, now the Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet to promote ways to save power, has resulted in six homes and six small businesses across Sydney and regional NSW showing all of us how to achieve huge cuts in our power bills.
Save Power Challenge participants save power and money
Energy assessor Jason Boyd helped households cut their power use as part of the Save Power Challenge.
During the Challenge many of the household participants halved their electricity use, saving on average $1,556 or 52 per cent each on their annual power bills. This will reduce their carbon pollution by 7.38 tonnes per year. Combined, they will save the equivalent of 885,166 black balloons of carbon pollution per year.
The businesses in the Challenge will each save an average of $1,670, or 16 per cent on their annual power bills. On average, this will reduce their carbon pollution by 9.5 tonnes per year. Combined, they will save the equivalent of 1,343,490 black balloons of carbon pollution per year.
Energy assessor's power saving tips
At the beginning of the Challenge, household participants had their power use assessed by an energy expert who provided a detailed action plan for them to follow. Each received a power monitor, which gave a real-time reading of how much power they consumed. Household participants also received a power-saving kit including a power board with a switch that turned all their electronics off standby power at once, energy efficient light bulbs, a low flow showerhead, shower timer, tap aerator, draught-proof strips and door snakes.
Jason Boyd, one of the household energy assessors, says the results show just how easy it is to save power.
'A big part of it is about education. This, with the power monitors that prompted action, helped make saving power an easy habit,' he said.
'Learning how to heat-proof the home in summer by pulling the shades, and draught proofing to keep heat from escaping in winter is part of it. Not leaving appliances on standby is another. Switching appliances off at the power point can save $50 to $100 per year – better in your pocket than on your bills.'
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