Welcome to Centralines : Electricity and You : Energy Savings

supplied by EECA visit their site for more tips

Saving Energy at Home

There are many things we can all do at home to reduce energy consumption, while maintaining and even improving our comfort. The following are options that will help energy use in the home

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Hot water

•	Turn the themostat on your water heater down to 60 C.
•	Short showers save energy and water.
•	Install a low-flow shower head.
•	If you do not have a Grade A hot water cylinder (look for the "watermark" label), install a cylinder wrap.
•	To save really big on energy, buy a gas, solar or heat pump type hot water heater.
•	Repair dripping hot water taps.
•	Studies by the EECA indicate that a $80 hot water cylinder wrap should save a typical household $65 per year in electricity costs. This is a much better return than can be obtained from putting money in the bank.

Space heating

•	Weatherproof your house to minimise air leaks around doors and windows.
•	Insulate the ceiling.
•	Only heat rooms that are being used.
•	Block off any chimneys not in use.
•	Up to 40% of house heating can escape through the ceiling. This heat loss can be dramatically reduced by installing insulation. Ceiling insulation can be readily installed and provide paybacks from as short as one and a half years.

Lighting

•	Install compact fluorescent lights in high use areas.
•	Use natural light whenever practical.
•	Don't light unused rooms.

Appliances

•	Operate the dishwasher only when it's full.
•	Look for an Energy Rating label when buying appliances.
•	Buy an exhaust fan for the kitchen or bathroom with automatic shutter doors.

Clothes Washing

•	Run your washer fully loaded.
•	Use cold water cycles for clothes washing.
•	Dry clothes on a clothes line whenever possible.

Cooking

•	Use a microwave oven when appropriate.
•	Thaw out frozen foods before starting to cook.
•	Cook more than one dish at a time.

House Design

•	If designing a new home, ensure it takes maximum advantage of the sun's heat and light.