thisplace.com.au - General Tips

Waste
Try to minimise the amount of waste you produce when shopping, for example, by buying in bulk and avoiding disposable products an unnecessary packaging.

Compost
If you have a garden, start to compost your organic waste such as food scraps or grass clippings.

Recycling
If your council collects different materials for recycling, use this service as much as you can.

Checking Insulation
Use a lighted candle around windows and doors to find draughty spots in your home. Fix draught stoppers on doors (particularly on external doors), draughtproof your windows with insulation strips and close off unused pet doors and open fireplaces. Close the doors between heated and unheated areas.

Cooling
Deciduous trees planted in front of a north facing house create the maximum amount of shade to cool your house in summer.

Heating
Don't heat rooms to tropical temperatures. Heating them to only 20% may mean you have to wear a jumper but it'll save you a lot of energy. Each degree Celsius less will save about 10% on your energy use. Also only heat the rooms you're actually using and reduce temperatures at night. Use thermostats on your heater or for your ducted system to control temperatures.

Energy and Water Efficient Products
Buying an energy and water efficient dishwasher could save you about $55 a year. Look for models with the maximum number of stars and then compare the energy consumption figures. But check the programs used for rating on the label, they're not always tested on the 'normal' wash program. Check the brochures for water usage figures.