THE AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY
50 WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR ENERGY COSTS
Start Doing it Now!
1. Shut your doors when you are heating and cooling so that
the energy only goes to the room you are using.
2. Decide what you want from the fridge before you open the
door (and close the door straight away too)
3. Use cold water whenever you don’t need hot water.
4. Turn off lights whenever you are not in the room.
5. Dress for the weather.
6. Use the sun whenever you can for whatever you can !
Watch your Bills
7. Keep track of your energy use and find the cause whenever
your bill changes.
8. Motive your kids – offer to share energy savings with them..
Light Your House the Smart Way
9. Use daylight instead of electricity whenever you can.
10. Fit low energy, compact fluoro light globes.
11. Brighten your rooms with light coloured surfaces and then
reduce the wattage of your lights.
Heat, Cool & Ventilate for Max. Comfort
12. Make sure windows are shaded from the summer sun.
13. Use curtains with pelmets to keep heat in.
14. Draft proof your rooms.
15. Insulate your ceiling and walls.
16. Set your thermostat lower in winter and higher in summer –
every degree costs an extra 10% !
17. Open windows to make the most of breezes when the
temperatures outside are mild.
18. Capture winter sunshine with a dark rug or floors –
especially from north facing windows.
19. Keep filters dust free and regularly maintain heaters and
coolers so they run efficiently.
Cooking Quickly.
20. Put lids on pots when cooking.
21. Use the microwave instead of the stove if possible.
22. Use the toaster instead of the griller.
23. You can even boil the kettle in the morning and store the
water in a thermos for using during the day.
Power that Stands By Doing Nothing
24. Turn things off at the switch instead of by the remote.
25. Invest in a ‘switched’ powerboard so it is easy to turn off
individual appliances not in use.
26. Turn off the water heater when you go away for holidays.
Hot Water – Save Water and Energy!
27. Fix dripping taps, especially hot water ones.
28. Reduce the length of your showers.
29. Fit a AAA rated shower head – if compatible with your
water heater
30. Use pipe lagging to insulate your water heater’s pipes.
31. Use AAA flow restrictors and aerators for better water use.
32. Lower the temperature setting on your water heater’s
thermostat (no lower than 60C for storage tanks).
33. Bathe with a friend.
When Washing and Drying…
34. Use a solar dryer – that’s right, the clothesline!
35. Wash your clothes in cold water.
36. Front loaders use less water than top loaders.
Get it Right when you Buy or Rent
37. Get the size right first then read the energy stars to choose
the most efficient appliances – the more stars the better
38. Check what an item will cost to run before you choose it.
39. Choose a house that has living areas facing north and makes
the most of it’s north facing windows to heat in winter but
shade to keep cool in summer.
Fridges – working 24/7
40. Clean the seals and check they are working well.
41. Clean the coils at the back of the fridge.
42. Have good airflow over the coils to take the heat away
43. Use a thermometer to check the fridge is at the right
temperature – every degree costs an extra 10% !
44. Use the right sized fridge.
45. Turn the 2nd fridge on only when it’s needed. - $150 a year
can buy a lot of beer !
Smart Travel Options
46. Walk, ride a bike, take the bus or train.
47. Keep your car well tuned so it runs efficiently.
48. Plan & do everything in a single trip instead of many.
49. Travel with a friend instead of on your own.
50. Drive smoothly to save petrol.
51. If you have a choice – take the little car.
Swimming Pools and other Guzzlers
52. Use timers to optimise the running time of pumps.
53. Make sure the spa is well covered and insulated.
54. Clean the filters
55. Make sure pumps are sized well and maintained.
PLACES TO START
Do a self-audit of your own home.
Pick up an Energy Friends Home Energy Self-Audit Worksheet. This worksheet helps you to do
your home energy audit.
Borrow an Energy Friends Home Energy Self-Audit kit from your local library. Call your library or
council customer service centre first to see if they have the kit and if it is available.
Call Energy SA on 8204 1888 for further advice on where to start.

Visit energy efficient houses on Solar House Day – Sept. 13 & 14.
Talk to other home owners about how they’ve done it. For more information call Energy SA on 8204
1888 or visit the website - http://www.solarhouseday.com/

Go to the following websites for more information.

Alternative Technology Association - http://www.ata.org.au/
Energy SA – http://www.energy.sa.gov.au/
Cool Communities in South Australia - http://www.ccsa.asn.au/CoolComms/Coolcomm.htm
Cool Communities guides - http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/coolcommunities/publications/index.html

Have someone-else come in to undertake an audit.

Engage a professional auditor – you can get a list of names from Andrew Nance, Cool Communities
Facilitator at the Conservation Council on 8223 5155.
If you already have a relationship with one of the following welfare organizations, you may be able
to receive a free audit:
- St Vincent de Paul
- Home Assist – City of Charles Sturt
- Home Assist - City of Playford
- Home Assist - City of Port Adelaide Enfield
- Home Assist - City of Salisbury
- Home Assist - City of Tea Tree Gully
- Family and Youth Services Office at Modbury

Call them to find out if you are eligible.

THE AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY