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Electricity

Know how much electricity you are using
If you knew how much electricity you were using, where and when, you would likely switch off a few lights and turn off TVs and radios that are on standby.  Get yourself an AGL Cent-A-Meter or Clipsal Cent-A-Metre (small portable, easy to read electricity monitor designed for both use in the home and small office) which displays instantly:

·            how much electricity you are using;

·            how much it is costing you; and

·            how much, where and when your Carbon Footprint is increasing.

Portable power metres presently cost AUD$130 incl postage on e-Bay, but will enable you to cut your future power bills and reduce your Carbon Footprint and will reduce in cost upon increased demand.

Replace your old high voltage incandescent light bulbs.  Latest high performance compact fluorescent light bulbs –

(i)             draw a lower voltage;

(ii)            have a longer life;

(ii)         come in every shape and size;

(ii)         fit into a standard sockets;

(iv)        will save your electricity bill; and

(v)         will reduce your Carbon Footprint.

Buy eco-friendly appliances: It's not necessary to run out and buy all new appliances to replace old less energy efficient ones, as the manufacture of new items and disposal of old appliances contributes to your Carbon Footprint.  However, if your refrigerator has cooled its last beer, think eco-friendly when shopping for a new one as it will save your wallet long term and reduce your Carbon Footprint.

If You Live Up North, or in the Inland, Go Solar. Help build a self-sustaining photovoltaic, solar electricity market.  Solar panels can heat water to run turbines.  Various governments are providing information on all facets of design and installation for laypersons and builders and how to apply for solar incentive.

If you live down South check the insulation of your home, including materially reduce your home energy costs by installing double glazed windows. 

Seal Off Windows And Doors. Use weather-stripping to seal any obvious drafts around windows and doors. 

Keep A Closed-Door Policy. Keeping your doors closed means don't have to turn the heat or A/C on as much.  

Don’t Give Your Appliances Any Easy Ride. If you must use them, then run your dishwasher and your laundry machines only when you have full loads.

Cut Your Home Energy Consumption
Don't set your thermostat so high when it's cold or so low when it's warm to save on your fuel bill and reduce your Carbon Footprint.  Our forefathers didn't even have A/C.

Shut down and unplug devices: Electronic devices, even when not in use, use electricity just by being plugged in, Plasma TVs are bad offenders. Do you leave your mobile phone charger plugged in at all times?  It's using electricity even when your phone is far away. Turn off and unplug items like your hair dryer, coffee pot, TV and computer.

Switch off all lights and other electric appliances when not required for more than a couple of minutes at the wall plug.

Hang clothes out to dry: Tumble dryers are one of the worst household offenders for CO2 emissions.  Australia used to be renowned for the ubiquitous Hills Hoist.  Hang your washing outside, or in the utility room or even in your shower when the weather is wet, instead of throwing them in the tumble dryer.  Sun-dried clothes smell good, the sun bleaches whites whiter and you'll seriously reduce your utility bill.

Make sure office equipment like photocopiers and computers are Energy Efficient.  Ascertain if increasing the office A/C in Summer by say one degree and reducing it in Winter by say one degree is viable, whereupon employees would wear less clothing in Summer and more clothing in Winter as we all did prior to A/C. 

Employer support:  Ask your employer to provide a change room and showers and bike parking facilities for commuting by bicycle.