Saving Money

  
These practical ideas are easy to implement, are low cost or, in many cases, no cost (just little changes in the way we do things) and have an immediate impact on your wallet and the environment. Please ensure your efforts to use energy wisely do not compromise your health and safety.

Turn off standby loads at the wall
Appliances with remote controls or ‘soft’ switches such as TVs, stereos, computers, microwaves and some washing machines can consume considerable energy when in ‘standby’ mode. Turn these off at the wall when not in use.
Most modern computers can be set to enter ‘sleep’ mode when not used for a certain period (such as 15 minutes). Turning the computer monitor off (using its button) when away for even a short time can reduce energy use by half.

Use compact fluorescent (energy saver) lights
Fluorescent lights use much less energy than incandescent globes or halogen downlights. Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) can replace incandescent globes that are not on dimmer circuits, especially those used for a few hours per day. They are very cheap to run (they can pay for themselves in 3 to 6 months) and last much longer (many years in most cases).
It’s okay to turn fluorescent lights off when you leave the room - even for only a few minutes (it’s a myth that this is a waste of energy).

Use heaters and coolers effectively
Only heat or cool the rooms you are currently using. Close doors between these rooms and the rest of the premises. Wearing warm clothes and heating only when needed can significantly reduce heating costs.
Lowering the thermostat of heaters by one degree can reduce energy use by 10%. In winter set the heater thermostat to 20°C or lower. Raising the thermostat of cooling systems by one degree can reduce energy use by 10%. In summer set the thermostat to 25°C or higher.
Use a timer on your heater or cooler to ensure that it is not left on when nobody is home.

Control the ventilation in the office space
Use special door and window seals, gap filler or 'door snakes' to block draughts. Seal any gaps around skirting boards, ceilings and old air vents. Check that chimney flues and extraction fans can be sealed when not in use. (Note: by law, rooms with un-flued gas heaters must have adequate ventilation.)
Open windows and doors to take advantage of cooling breezes in summer.

Keep the sun out during summer
When sunlight enters a room it delivers an enormous amount of heat. It’s like having a two bar radiator hanging on the wall. An external blind, pergola or deciduous vine can be used to keep out the sun in summer. Well-designed eaves shade summer sun while allowing winter sun in.
It is important to externally shade east and west windows in summer. Blinds, verandahs or trees can be used.

Protect your windows
Heavy lined curtains and pelmets help keep heat in during winter and keep heat out on hot summer days. Pelmets (covers over the top of curtains) are important to stop draughts caused by airflow between curtains and windows.

Retail & hospitality: 

Keep the fridge clean and well ventilated
Fridges and freezers need space around them at the top, back and sides to shed excess heat. For appliances with exposed rear coils, vacuum or wipe off dust. Ensure door seals are kept clean and seal well.
Locate fridges and freezers in cool spots, away from direct sun and other heat sources such as stoves. The recommended operating temperature for a fridge is 3 to 5°C. Below this it costs more to run and can frost up. For freezers, the recommended range is –15 to –18°C. Regularly remove any frost buildup.

Choose appropriate cooking methods
If possible, use gas for cooking. Gas is generally cheaper and less damaging to the environment than electricity. Unless wood is sustainably harvested and used correctly it can be expensive to you and the environment.
If you use electricity to cook, use the microwave where practical (some models come with a browning element) and use an electric kettle instead of the stovetop. Fill the kettle with the minimum amount of water needed. Any more just wastes energy. 

Other industries:

Take shorter showers
Water heating is a major energy use in a typical home and in many businesses. A long shower or a bath can use over 200 litres of water. A short shower can use less than 30 litres. This means less energy to heat the water and less water is used – a double bonus.

Wash clothes in cold water
Washing clothes in cold water gets clothes just as clean as hot water in most cases and will save lots of energy. There may be some clothes that need to be washed in hot water (e.g. nappies or clothes with oily stains) and an occasional hot wash may be needed to ensure the washing machine is kept clean.
If you need a new clothes washer, check the energy star ratings. The more stars the better. Use the dryer less. If you do need to use it, spin dry your clothes well, before using the dryer. New dryers also have energy star ratings.

Sourced from the Alternative Technology Association:   www.ata.org.au