Saving energy

Call energy consultants on 1300 138 638 (local call cost) during business hours for advice on saving energy.

How to save energy at home and at the office

You can find out how to save energy and how to rate your home or office at the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) website at www.nabers.com.au.

Tips to saving money on your energy bill

Kitchen

• Provide space for circulation around the fridge to save 150 kg of CO₂ a year.
• Buy an energy-efficient fridge to save up to 4.5 tonnes of greenhouse gas and $450 in running costs over its lifetime. Visit www.energyrating.gov.au.
• Put cool things back in the fridge immediately after use.
• Make sure door seals are clean and that the door closes properly.
• Cook toast in the toaster rather than under the grill.
• Fill the dishwasher before using and open the door to let dishes dry naturally.

Living areas

• Switch to compact fluorescent lights to save up to $50 in energy costs and half a tonne of greenhouse gases with every bulb.
• Don't overheat rooms - a 1°C increase in temperature is a 10 per cent increase on the bill, up to $48 a year.
• Standby mode accounts for $11-$15 in every $100 on the bill. Turn TVs, videos and stereos off at the power point.
• Use fans instead of air conditioners. They cost only 1c an hour.
• Shut out draughts by sealing cracks. In winter, draughts can increase heating costs by up to 25 per cent.
• Turn off unnecessary lights.
• Use light-coloured paint to reflect, rather than absorb, light.
• Insulate ceilings and walls to keep the house up to 10°C warmer in winter and 7°C cooler in summer.
• Protect windows from sunshine or heat loss with curtains and blinds.

Bathroom & laundry

• Switch to a solar hot water system to halve emissions and save up to $150 a year.
• If possible, lower the water heater thermostat to 60-65°C to reduce costs and emissions.
• Use the clothes line not the dryer - save up to $72 a year.
• Install Triple A showerheads to use less hot water and save $12 per person per year.
• Take shorter showers - save up to $48 per person per year.
• Brighten rooms with a skylight rather than a light bulb.

Other

• Find out your home's energy rating at www.nabers.com.au.
• Sign up for Green Power www.greenpower.com.au.
• Pool heaters, pumps and spas (spas cost $165 a quarter).
• Drive a fuel-efficient car. The Green Vehicle guide has the latest information on the newest models at www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au.
• Convert your car from petrol to LPG.
• Keep your engine tuned and drive smoothly; don't stop and start too many times.
• Keep your boot empty. The heavier the car, the more fuel it will use.

Appliance energy efficiency labelling

All domestic refrigerators and freezers, single phase air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes washers and clothes dryers must be labelled according to their energy use efficiency.

A wide range of products must also meet mandatory Minimum Energy Performance Standards.

You can search for energy-efficient products and compare running costs at www.energyrating.gov.au.

Please visit our energy efficiency page for more information.

Suppliers of products covered by mandatory energy labelling can find contact details for regulators at www.energyrating.gov.au/reg.html#contacts.