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It's easy being 'green'

Being 'energy smart' does not mean you have to spend more money or compromise on quality of life. An average Australian home will spend around $1,500 a year on their energy bills, significantly more than an energy smart home. There are many ways in which you can face up the 'inconvenient truth' of household contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and make your home 'greener'.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), between 1983-4 and 2003-4, household energy consumption increased by 3 gigajoules per person to an average of 21 gigajoules per person. Whether it is investing in energy efficient appliances or smart home design and insulation techniques, there is much you can do to conserve energy use and ensure your home is environmentally friendly.

Save Energy

The key to reducing emissions is renewable energy sources like wind, solar and hydro-power. The government-accredited scheme is called 'Green Power' where consumers pay a premium for electricity generated from these sources. When you subscribe to Green Power products, your retailer buys renewable energy on your behalf for input into the grid.

Figures and research from the Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability (DEUS) show that using the sun's energy to heat water can reduce household hot water bills by more than 85% each year, which could add up to thousands of dollars saved over a lifetime. A typical solar or heat pump system for a family of five costs between $1700 to $4500 fully installed and it can pay for itself in 5-10 years depending on your water consumption.

Tips:

  • Replace regular incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs use 60% less energy than a regular bulb and will save about 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year)
  • Choose energy efficient appliances when making a new purchase
  • Use dimmers, timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting and don't leave lights on overnight
  • By turning power off at the switch, you could save between 20 and 85 kilograms of greenhouse pollution per year (around 11% of Australian residential electricity use is attributable to standby power)
  • Consider using front loader washing machines - they use less energy and water
  • Use less hot water and reuse water from your bath, shower and laundry to water the garden
  • Install a rainwater tank
  • Use a clothesline instead of a dryer where possible
  • Only run your dishwasher when there is a full load and use the energy saving setting

Save Water

Australians are amongst the highest water users in the world. Water use in and around the home accounts for 70% of Sydney's total water consumption. In order to encourage efficient water use, there are various rebate schemes on offer around the country.

Western Australia
The Waterwise Rebate program subsidises products such as water efficient shower heads, rainwater tanks, garden bores, washing machines, waterwise tap timers, AAA-rated in-tap flow regulators, soil wetting agents, greywater re-use systems and aerobic treatment units.

Victoria
The Department of Sustainability and Environment offers rebates from $10 to $1000 for purchasing various water-saving devices such as greywater systems, dual-flush toilets and rainwater tanks.

New South Wales
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) reports that more than 280,000 households in NSW (18% of all households) have converted to water efficient products as part of the $22 Residential Retrofit Program, saving 5.9 billion litres a year. Sydney Water offers rebates of up to $800 for installing rainwater tanks and $150 for new water efficient washing machines (ie, machines with a rating of 4 star or AAAAA - the offer runs until 31 July 2008).

South Australia
SA Water offers rebates for purchasing water-saving devices such as tap timers, water efficient shower heads and flow restrictors, $10 per item up to a total of $50 (or $20 per item up to $100 for concession card holders).

Tasmania
Some local councils in Tasmania offer rebates on water-saving products. For example, Hobart City Council offers the following rebates:

  • Water audit for property: $20
  • Replacement of single-flush toilet with dual-flush toilet: $40
  • Installation of rainwater tank for toilet flushing: $220
  • Water-efficient washing machine: $60
  • Water-efficient showerhead: $10

Northern Territory
There are no water rebates in the Northern Territory.

Queensland
Various councils offer rebates. For example, Brisbane City Council offer rainwater tank rebates: $500 rebates, $700 rebates and $100 internal connection rebates (connecting rainwater tank to your toilet or washing machine tap).

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