Reducing energy use
Everyone can do their bit to reduce energy use and contribute to a cleaner, greener environment. Follow these simple tips to save energy in your home:
- Heat and cool only the rooms you are using and close doors to other rooms
- Ensure that your house has adequate insulation in the ceilings and walls to maximise efficiency of heating and cooling systems
- Open windows in summer to let the afternoon sea breeze cool the house
- Remember to set reverse cycle air conditioner thermostats to 18° – 21°C in winter and 24° – 27°C in summer.
- Wash clothes in cold water instead of hot water
- Choose energy-efficient appliances (especially fridges and freezers) with high Energy Star Ratings
- Adjust your fridge temperature to between 3°C and 5°C and your freezer temperature to between -15°C and -18°C
- Turn off lights when you leave a room
- Choose energy efficient lighting globes such as compact fluorescent lights (CFL) or light emitting diodes (LEDs)
- Turn appliances off at the wall when not in use, otherwise they may still be using power in standby mode
- Consider installing renewable energy such as photovoltaic cells on your home.
The City has partnered with the ClimateClever Program to encourage households and schools to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on utility bills using a suite of online tools and an App which can now be accessed for free. Further information can be found on the ClimateClever website.
To find out how you can save energy in your home, complete the DIY Home Energy Audit.