Install a solar hot water system. Your hot water system is accountable for 40 to 60% of your electricity bill.
Reduce hot water use by installing efficient showerheads, fixing leaky taps and wash your clothes in cold water. There are washing machines and washing powders that work best with cold water. Most ‘worn-once’ or lightly soiled clothes will be adequately cleaned in a cold wash.
Install ceiling insulation. Without ceiling insulation you could be losing as much as 15% of your heating costs through the roof. Ceiling insulation acts as a blanket, trapping heat rising from the house below. If you are replacing your window frames, install double glazing.
Double glazing works by trapping air in between two panes of glass creating an insulating barrier that reduces heat loss, noise and condensation. Double glazing cuts heat lost through normal glass by half.
Use passive solar design techniques to heat and cool your home naturally e.g. ensure your home is north-facing, that all windows and doors are sealed properly, that you have cross-winds and sufficient ventilation to avoid the need for fans/air conditioning etc.
- Lighting -
Switch to energy efficient light bulbs – these are available at most retailers.
Energy efficient light bulbs also cope better with sudden power failure or spiking. While they cost more than incandescent light bulbs, they last longer, and you will save energy and cut your energy bills. Switch off any lights that are not needed.
- Appliances -
Upgrade to energy efficient appliances throughout your home. If your appliance was bought before 2005, the chances are that it will not be as energy efficient as newer models.
Fill your kettle with only as much water as you need. Boiling more water than you need wastes energy and time.
Appliances with pilot lights should be switched off at the wall socket.
- Waste - (reduce, re-use, recycle)
Throwing things away is a waste of the energy and the resources taken to make the product. Reducing the number of things that need to be thrown away, reduces the amount of materials which have to be quarried and mined.
Reduce how much you buy – buy good quality products that will last to reduce manufacturing emissions or simply buy less. Avoid buying products with excessive packaging.
Consider how items could be re-used before passing them on as recycling or waste. Recycle as much waste as possible because recycling takes less energy than producing new products from virgin materials.
You will find a range of local recycling initiatives listed on our website – these provide drop-off or sometimes collection services. Lobby your local municipality to make recycling convenient by providing collection services in every area.
- Transport -
For local travel consider leaving the car at home and either walk, cycle or use public transport. Keep your vehicle properly serviced. Check tyre pressure at least once a fortnight.
Avoid carrying unnecessary weight in the boot. Plan your journeys, so you don't get lost and waste fuel. Try to avoid traffic. Switch the engine off if you think you are likely to be stationary for more than 2 minutes.
Try to avoid sudden acceleration, engine revving, and sudden braking - harsh accelerating and braking can use up to 30% more fuel and increase wear and tear of the vehicle. Avoid using air conditioning, as this uses more fuel.
Drive with the windows closed, as this reduces drag on the vehicle. When replacing your car, look for the most carbon efficient (i.e. with a low gCO2/km) or with a high mpg.
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