Reducing home energy use
The typical Tasmanian family home uses:- 50% of its energy heating the home
- 25% of its energy heating water
- 9% of its energy on cooking
- 7% for refrigeration
- 4% for lighting
- 5% for other appliances
- Only heat living areas, not bedrooms.
- Wear warmer clothes.
- Close windows, doors and curtains at night.
- Install roof insulation. Up to 35% of heat loss is through the ceiling.
- Install close-fitting curtains with box pelmets.
- Use weather strips to block draughts around windows and doors.
- On bright days let the sun shine in.
- Fix dripping hot water taps. Five drips per minute wastes about 1000 litres of hot water a month. This is the equivalent of ten bathtubs full.
- Check the thermostat on your hot water system is set between 60 and 65°C. Each degree over 65°C makes a huge difference to your energy bill.
- Take shorter showers. If you spend more than 10 minutes in a shower it may be cheaper to have a bath.
- Use cold water to fill the jug, rinse clothes or dishes or wash your hands.
- Switch off your hot water system when you go on holiday.
- Install a solar hot water system. Even in Tasmania it can supply 50-55% of your hot water needs.
- When cooking with gas turn down the flame so it sits under the pan.
- Use a microwave for most of your cooking needs – when used appropriately it can reduce cooking costs by up to 75%.
- Thaw frozen foods before cooking.
- Use saucepans with well-fitting lids and flat bases that fully cover the heating coil or plate.
Tips to reduce energy used for refrigeration
- Choose a refrigerator with a low energy consumption and a 5 star energy rating – these units may use half the annual amount energy of a 1 star unit.
- Keep your fridge at a constant 5°C and defrost regularly. Position your refrigerator in the coolest part of the kitchen.
- Keep the condenser unit at the back of the fridge clean and free from dust and lint.
- Always defrost your refrigerator or freezer before the ice build-up is 5 mm thick.
- Make sure refrigerator/freezer doors are well sealed. If you can easily slide a piece of paper between the cabinet and the door seal, replace the seal and cheek the door latches and hinges etc.
- Turn lights off – if you leave them on for more than five minutes unnecessarily most of the energy consumed is given off as heat while only 10% of the energy produces light.
- Where possible, use fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescents – they require five times less energy than ordinary bulbs for the same amount of light.
- Clean lamps and diffusers regularly.
- Dry clothes on a clothes line; save the electric clothes drier for a rainy day.
- Wash clothes in cold water or adjust the level of hot water to the size of your wash.
- If your dishwasher is fitted with only one hose inlet, attach it to the cold water tap. The dishwasher itself will heat the water for the washing cycle and will rinse with cold. Used carefully, a dishwasher can use less hot water than washing and rinsing your dishes after each meal!
- Turn off entertainment systems at their main ON/OFF switch as standby modes consume consider electricity. Boil the kettle with only as much water as you plan to use immediately.
