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    Tuesday, 9 September 2008   |  11ºC – Fair   |  Telephone: 02 9777 1000

Act for Sustainability

It’s hard in today’s world not to be deluged by information about what you can do. Given so many choices and products, some people give up in despair. We suggest a few simple actions that can actually make a huge difference.

  • Change your hot water system from electric to solar or heat pump. This can save around a third of your electricity bill! Gas hot water heaters are also far better than electric, but still not as effective as the options above.
  • Take up 100% Greenpower option, either with your current supplier, or switch to another supplier (which is really quite easy) who you think is better. You can check on the relative performance of the various suppliers at www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au. While taking up 100% Greenpower may cost you $250-$400 more a year on your electricity bill, it will mean that your electricity use is not contributing to global warming.
  • Ensure your house is properly insulated. Consider a sustainability renovation to further reduce energy costs. Don’t use air conditioning unless you have the equivalent solar panels on your roof to match the electricity used (or be on 100% Greenpower).
  • Change all your incandescent lighting to compact fluorescent. This will save you money. Council supports the consultant Fieldforce, who will come to your house and replace incandescent lights for free (and also install water efficient shower nozzles).
  • Consider installing solar photovoltaic panels to export electricity to the grid. This will save you money on your electricity bills. However, check that you don’t need to remove any trees to put in your panels.
  • Install a rainwater tank and plumb it to your toilet and washing machine. This will save a great deal of your home’s water use.
  • Use public transport if you can. If you buy a car, use a small four-cylinder, and consider buying a hybrid vehicle.
  • Reduce, reuse and recycle your waste as much as you can. Consider garden compost bins or worm farms for your food scraps.

Want more sustainable suggestions?