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LIVING
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LIGHTING
HOME HEATING
& COOLING
ENERGY-EFFICIENCY
IN THE KITCHEN
• Install energy-efficient lighting such as compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Turn off lights when you leave a room.
• Switch off appliances such as televisions, DVDs and computers at the power point instead of leaving them on "stand-by".
• Wash clothes in cold water and avoid using a clothes dryer – let air and sunlight dry them wherever possible.
• Use the energy-saving settings on your dishwasher and let dishes air-dry.
• Choose appliances with a high energy star rating – the more stars, the less energy consumed.
• Install a solar hot water system, and make energy efficiency top priority for the booster or back–up.
• Turn down the heat when you're sleeping or away from home, and put on more clothing before adjusting a thermostat.
• Add extra insulation to walls or ceilings.
• Keep cooler by using external shading such as eaves, awnings, shutters or trees to reduce heat gain by as much as 80%.
Compact fluorescent lights cost more than ordinary globes but they last about eight times longer and use much less energy.
A 20 Watt compact fluorescent costs $10 to buy and $20 to run over its average life of about five years. Over the same time, eight standard incandescent 100 Watt globes would cost $8 to buy and around $103 to run. The fluorescent will have saved $80 and 650kg of greenhouse gas.
Fit lower-wattage globes or compact fluorescents in bright lights, especially downlights and spotlights. You will save up to 50% of greenhouse gas.
Reflector-back lamps of lower wattage provide more useful light in downlights or spotlights while generating less greenhouse gas.
Low voltage halogen lamps are not necessarily low energy lamps: each one generates one kilogram of greenhouse gas every 15 hours – about the same as an ordinary 60-watt globe – although they do produce more light.
Use light fittings which allow maximum light to pass through – coloured glass often cuts light output by half, creating a need for higher-wattage lamps. A 20-watt compact fluorescent provides as much light as a 100-watt incandescent.
Turn off unnecessary lights, including fluorescent lamps. Always turn off the lights when you leave an empty room.
Timer controls and daylight or movement sensors are now available to switch off lights automatically.
Use light-coloured paint inside your house. Dark wall colours absorb light, increasing the amount of lighting needed.
Dimmer controls reduce greenhouse gas emissions as they reduce light output. They also extend lamp life.
Use desk lamps or standard lamps where light is most needed, so less lighting is required in the rest of the room.
Keep lamps and fittings clean: dirt build-up will reduce light output over time.
Use daylight instead of artificial lights – but do not overdo it. Large windows and skylights add to summer heat and winter cold.
An open wood fire generates much more greenhouse gas (through methane production) than a closed wood heater. An open fire is also a very inefficient heat source, with as much as 90% of the heat escaping up the chimney. An open fire uses about five times as much energy to heat the same room as a gas heater.
A closed slow combustion wood heater is a relatively efficient form of heating, but burning wood adds to urban air pollution. Transport pollution and the adverse impact on animal habitats of taking firewood are other factors to consider.
Electric fan heaters, radiators, oil-filled heaters and off-peak electric heating (slab heating, heat banks) are greenhouse intensive and generate around one kilogram of greenhouse gas per unit of heat supplied.
Insulate ceiling, walls and floors. As much as 35% of heat loss from a house is through an uninsulated ceiling; uninsulated walls account for a further 15 to 25% and uninsulated floors lose between 10 and 20% of heat.
Seal out draughts by sealing cracks and gaps, fitting dampers to fireplaces and blocking unnecessary vents. This will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by hundreds of kilograms.
Cut heat-flow through windows by shading them from hot sun and installing close-fitting blinds or curtains with pelmets. In extreme climates, install double-glazed windows with ‘low emissivity’ insulating glass.
When buying windows, look for energy rating labels to help you assess the performance of different types.
Covering internal walls, particularly those that face south, can reduce heat loss in winter. Even a large woollen wall-hanging can provide extra insulation.
Dress appropriately for the weather: put on a jumper before you turn on the heater.
If possible, cool your house naturally by opening doors and windows.
Install ceiling sweep fans, or use portable fans. Fans improve comfort, even in air-conditioned rooms, while generating less than one kilogram of greenhouse gas every 10 hours.
In climates with dry heat, evaporative coolers provide comfort with low greenhouse gas emissions and running costs – but ensure cooling outlets seal automatically when not in use. Conserve water by ensuring the bleed-off rate is not excessive.
In humid climates, choose an efficient refrigerated air-conditioner. Natural gas, LPG and electric reverse-cycle air-conditioners are the least greenhouse intensive. They generate around one-third of a kilogram of greenhouse gases per unit of heat, depending on the appliance’s efficiency.
Don’t overheat or cool: a 1ºC difference in temperature between indoors and outdoors adds 10% to heating or cooling bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
Switching off heating or cooling appliances when you go out generates less greenhouse gas and is cheaper than leaving them on low.
Energy labels on gas heaters and electric air-conditioners help you choose an efficient model.
Ducted systems can lose 15% of the heat produced. Ensure ducts of heating and cooling systems are insulated to R1.5. The R value is a measure of resistance to heat flow – the higher the number, the less heat will be lost.
Water heating accounts for about 16% of an average household’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and 25% of energy use. It is the second largest source of household greenhouse gas emissions after transport.
Every 13 litres of hot water used from an electric water heater generates about one kilogram of greenhouse gases.
An energy-efficient water heater that uses a low greenhouse impact fuel is a great start to greenhouse gas saving.
Showers are the biggest user of hot water in your home. A 'AAA' rated water efficient showerhead will save more than half a tonne of emissions each year if you have an electric water heater. You will also save many dollars in hot water bills.
Take shorter showers. You will save up to half a kilogram of greenhouse emissions per minute.
Avoid using small amounts of hot water if cold water will do. Each time you run the hot tap, one litre or more of cold water that was previously heated goes down the sink before hot water is delivered.
Gas water heaters carry energy labels to help you choose an efficient model. Avoid gas heaters with continuous pilot lights: save 300 kilograms of greenhouse gas and $55 each year.
Reduce heat losses from an electric storage water heater by wrapping the tank with extra insulation: save up to half a tonne of greenhouse gas each year. An insulated outdoor water heater will need to be protected from the weather.
Fixing dripping hot taps will save up to 100 kilograms each year per tap.
If the overflow pipe from your hot water service runs continuously (or significantly more than the typical overflow of 10 litres per day) call a plumber and save hundreds of kilograms each year.
Exposed hot water pipes should be well insulated, with insulation at least 10 millimetres thick.
Position your hot water service so that the pipes to often-used outlets are as short as possible.
Avoid mixer taps unless they are spring-loaded to supply cold water. Otherwise you may unintentionally use some hot water each time you turn on the tap.
Wash clothes in cold water: a warm wash can add 1.5 kilograms of greenhouse gas per wash compared to a cold wash, and a hot wash can add three kilograms.
If you have gas water heating, your greenhouse gas emissions and emissions saved are about one-third of the amounts quoted above. Solar water heating will generate even lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Appliances account for a substantial portion of household energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
By selecting these appliances carefully you can save money and reduce your environmental impact without compromising lifestyle.
Avoid buying appliances that you don’t really need. For example a clothes dryer (you can use the sun and a clothesline without cost). Do you really need a second fridge?
If you need to buy an appliance, choose one that is the right size for your needs and is as efficient as possible. A large model with the same star rating as a smaller model uses more energy and generates more greenhouse gas.
Energy efficient appliances cost less to run and have less environmental impact than similar appliances with lower energy efficiency. Using efficient appliances can save you hundreds of dollars each year in running costs.
Turn appliances off when not in use, preferably at the power outlet. Many appliances continue to draw "standby" power when switched off, contributing up to ten percent of household electricity use.
Purchase the most efficient appliance available by choosing the highest rating product. The Energy Rating Scheme is a mandatory national labelling scheme for refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers and air conditioners.
Look for the label that shows the star rating and other useful information about energy consumption. Appliances with a higher star rating generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Refrigerators and freezers
Running a six star 360 litre fridge will produce almost half a tonne less greenhouse gas each year than a three star model.
Buy appliances that are the right size, especially freezers as their energy demand is high. A larger model will use more energy than a smaller one with the same energy star rating.
One large fridge will usually be more efficient than two smaller ones. Chest freezers are usually more efficient than upright models as cold air does not escape every time you open the door. Upright freezers with enclosed drawers (not baskets) are a good compromise. Features such as cold water dispensers and ice-makers use more energy and cost more. Avoid these if possible.
Upright units with one door above the other are generally more efficient than units with side by side doors. A cool cupboard will keep many fruits and vegetables well in most climates, allowing you to choose a smaller fridge. Cool cupboards should be located in the coolest part of the house and have good airflow in at floor level and out at the ceiling.
Place the fridge or freezer in a cool spot out of direct sunlight and away from cookers, heaters and dishwashers. Ensure 75mm air space around all sides of the cabinet. If in an alcove make sure the top is also ventilated. Make sure the door seal is clean and in good condition. It should hold a piece of paper tightly in place when shut.
Set the fridge thermostat to between 3°C and 5°C. The freezer should be set to between -15°C and -18°C. Every degree lower requires five percent more energy. A fridge thermometer is a good investment. Avoid overloading the fridge or freezer. Leave about 20 percent free space for air circulation.
Defrost manual models regularly or when ice is more than five mm thick. Turn off the second fridge if it is not being used. Do not put fridges in a hot garage or veranda. Avoid placing hot food in the fridge.
Dispose of old fridges properly to avoid release of ozone damaging CFCs. Your local council should be able to offer advice.
Clothes washer
Choose a washer that’s the right size for your needs. An oversized model will often be filled with partial loads. Select the most energy and water efficient model.
Front loaders are usually more water and energy efficient. They are gentler on clothes, use less detergent and save space as they can be installed under a bench. They usually have a higher spin speed so clothes come out dryer. Some have only a cold water connection.
Top loaders usually use more water despite shorter wash times. They may be less expensive to buy but are often harsher on clothes. A suds saver feature is very desirable.
Look for models with dual water connection, cold wash cycles and auto load sensing or load size selection. Heating the water for a hot load can generate up to 4kg of greenhouse gas - a cold wash will produce less than 0.5 kg.
A high spin speed and reverse tumble action is desirable, especially if you use a clothes dryer.
Wash a full load rather than several smaller loads and use suds saver if available. Don’t use too much detergent. Making detergent produces a lot of greenhouse gases and using too much pollutes our waterways.
Use the Economy Cycle.
Use cold water where possible.
Clothes dryer
Consider buying a gas fired or heat pump model clothes dryer. They are more expensive to buy and install but much cheaper to run.
Drying a load of washing in an electric dryer generates more than 3kg of greenhouse gas.
Look for an auto-sensing feature, easily accessible lint-filters and other features such as reverse tumbling and special fabric cycles.
Use a clothes line or rack to dry instead of a dryer.
Avoid over loading or over drying.
Do not put wet clothes in the dryer. Part dry or spin dry them first, using the maximum spin speed of the washer.
Clean the lint filter after each load.
Externally vent the dryer to remove moist air from the room.
Run the dryer on medium instead of high.
Dishwashers
Choose the right size for your needs so you will not always be washing partial loads. Two drawer models are available and can be more efficient in households where regular small loads are required.
Select the most energy and water efficient model.
Look for models with hot and cold connections or cold connection only. Hot connection only models use much more energy as the whole cycle will use hot water, not just the wash phase.
Look for an economy cycle.
Avoid rinsing dishes under the hot water tap.
Scrape plates well before packing the dishwasher.
Always clean the filter between washes.
Run the dishwasher only when fully loaded.
Use cold water cycles as much as possible in dishwashers. Select the cycle with the lowest temperature and the minimum time to get the job done.
Avoid using drying cycles - open the door instead.
Use the Economy Cycle.
Televisions
Plasma screens or large cathode ray tube displays use something like 300 watts to operate whilst the new generation of LCDs are much more efficient.
A television switched on for three hours a day generates up to 100 kilograms of greenhouse gas per year. A video cassette recorder adds 20 kilograms per year.
Televisions, VCRs and stereos generate between 20 and 85 kilograms of greenhouse gas per year when in ‘standby’ mode. Turn them off at the power point when you leave the house for long periods.
Computers
Wherever possible, replace computer cathode ray tube displays with ‘flat’ screen LCDs (liquid crystal displays) that use much less power. They are also less tiring to look at for extended periods.
A desktop computer used five hours per day generates 225 kilograms of greenhouse gas a year. Laptop computers save up to 90%. A ‘sleep’ mode saves up to 80%.
Turn off your computer screen when you are going to be away from your desk for more than 10 minutes. A computer screen uses far more electricity than the processor.
Pool equipment
Swimming pool and spa equipment can consume large amounts of energy. Pumps and heaters should be as efficient as possible and be used as little as practicable.
Energy-efficiency in the kitchen
An average Australian home produces about half a tonne of greenhouse gas from energy used for cooking.
Putting lids on pots and simmering gently instead of boiling vigorously can save half the greenhouse gas generated during cooking. So can using a pressure cooker.
When boiling a jug or kettle, fill it only with us much water as you need. Energy is wasted heating excess water which will be left in the jug to cool down again.
Cook toast in a toaster instead of under the griller: greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by up to three quarters.
An electric kettle or gas cooker generates about one kilogram of greenhouse gas for every 10 litres of water boiled—half as much as using a microwave or an electric cooktop.
Fan-forced ovens generate up to 35% less greenhouse gas than conventional ovens and more items can be cooked at the same time, as heat is more evenly distributed around the oven.
Up to 90% of the energy used by ovens is wasted: use alternatives such as an electric frypan or pressure cooker.
Microwaves are also more energy-efficient for many uses in the kitchen but some people have concerns about the impact of microwaves on the food.
Changing from electric to gas cooking could save around half a tonne of greenhouse gases each year. Maximum use of microwave ovens can save almost as much.
For maximum efficiency when cooking with electricity, use pots and pans with flat bases that match the size of the element.
Thaw food in the fresh food compartment of the fridge before cooking. Cooking time is reduced and less greenhouse gas is generated.
For small households, cooking in bulk, freezing the food and then reheating in a microwave oven cuts greenhouse gas emissions – and saves time.
offer 'Green Power'
Green Power is energy that is sourced from renewable sources such as hydro, solar power or wind energy.
These are sources that do not harm the environment, unlike power that is generated by burning fossil fuels, which are the major cause of greenhouse emissions.
You can shop around for green power.
If you are a Country Energy customer in northern NSW you can choose to buy their countrygreen™ energy which will cost just $1.50 a week on top of your normal bill, and make a significant contribution to the environment.
For more details call Country Energy on 13 23 56 or visit their web site at www.countryenergy.com.au
Origin Energy's GreenEarth electricty gives customers an option of choosing energy that is 100% solar or wind power, or a combination that includes hydro.
Call your local power supplier and ask about their Green Power program.
•Fact
Fluorescent lights, including compact fluorescents, generate only one-fifth as much greenhouse gas as ordinary globes producing the same amount of light.
•Fact
The energy used for heating and cooling a typical Australian home generates more than one and a half tonnes of greenhouse gas each year.
•Fact
Up to 10 per cent of the power used in Australian homes is spent keeping household appliances on ‘standby’.
Reducing
standby power consumption by at least half would save Australia more than 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and about $350 million annually.
Solar heater will
halve emissions
An electric-boosted solar hot water system produces 1.2 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year compared to a conventional electric water heater which produces 4.8 tonnes.
The solar system costs about $1,000-$1,500 more than a conventional system but it can pay for itself in three to seven years (depending on your hot water consumption). It will also last longer than a conventional electric heater.
The Federal Government is lowering the cost of solar hot water systems through Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
These are discounts given at the point of sale when you buy a solar hot water system which is replacing an existing electric water heater; where an older solar hot water system is replaced with a more efficient model in an existing building; or where a system is going into a new home or during a major renovation.
For more information: www.orer.gov.au
or
www.energysmart.com.au.