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Saving energy is part of everyday life - everyone knows about turning off lights when you are not in the room. Here are some one-off energy saving ideas that have serious long term benefits.
The Energy Saver Incentive helps Victorian households save energy with a range of discounts and special offers on selected energy-saving products and services. All sorts of organisations can participate in the initiative, from your energy retailer to your local appliance store, as well as plumbers, builders and other tradespeople. Discounts and special offers are only available from participating businesses so find out more.
The Federal Government home sustainability assessment involves an inspection of your major energy and water systems, heating and cooling, lighting, refrigeration, cooking and entertainment. The assessor will also examine water efficiency both indoors and outdoors and also look at your waste management. This information is entered into an assessment tool to calculate your environmental impact and provide suggestions for improvement. This terrific service is available to Aussie citizens earning less than $250,000 a year, and homeowners, landlords and renters may be eligible to apply for the assessments.
Did you know that "Household appliances, specifically washing machines and refrigerators, account for around 12.8% of greenhouse gas emissions in a typical Victorian household and 5.1% of a households energy usage. This equates to $170 per year spent on energy used for refrigeration and clothes washing." Find out about how Sustainability Victoria is working with major banks and community organisations to assist low income households to purchase high efficiency whitegoods.
If you follow the "On the Ground" stories from bushfire affected communities on the path to rebuilding green, you will hear again and again about the importance of insulation. It saves money and offers great comfort in cold and hot climates. So forget about the pink bats dramas - and get stuck into one of the smartest energy saving options around.
Here's one for Masterchef: In addition to using more energy efficient appliances, the way we prepare food can make a real difference to the amount of energy we use. You can also save money and time, and reduce your greenhouse emissions.
The good people at CHOICE believe that "If you have a lot of appliances that fall into the least efficient category, you could be paying up to $100 or more per year for unnecessary power and contributing more than 1000kg of greenhouse gases to the environment." Find out the practical tips that can save you money while protecting our climate.
Anthony Smith, resident of Kinglake, talks about building his new Nine Star Home in the aftermath of Black Saturday.
Les' home is an inspiring example of smart green building, and his plans for living green will maximise energy savings and comfort. But it wasn't easy.
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