Some helpful tips to reduce your energy use around the house.
Use energy efficient Solar Hot Water
The Australian, state and territory governments are now working together to phase out greenhouse intensive hot water systems, commencing during 2010. This phase out will result in the reduction of greenhouse gases by about 30 million tonnes over ten years from 2010-2020.
Lights
Use motion sensors or timers on security lights, instead of leaving lights on.
Lighting accounts for around 5% of household greenhouse gas emissions, and compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75% less energy than an equivalent incandescent bulb.
Select appliance that are energy efficient
The Energy Rating label enables consumers to compare the energy efficiency of domestic appliances on a fair and equitable basis.
Switch to GreenPower
Almost half a kilogram of black coal or 1.5 kilograms of lower quality brown coal is burned to supply conventional electricity users with enough electricity to run a single bar radiator for an hour, a 100 watt light globe for 10 hours or an energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamp for 50 hours (Commonwealth of Australia, 2007).
Set you fridge at the right temperature
Set your freezer at -18°C and your fridge between 2°C and 5°C for greatest efficiency
Fridges and freezers operate most efficiently when they're full but not overloaded.
Making the most out of your PV system
Understanding the Feed-in Tariff
Feed-in Tariff information is legislated on a state by state basis, and so the applicable details are dependent on the location of your property.
In Victoria, there is a NET Feed-in Tariff which provides 60¢ per kWh of energy you return to the grid. This has been legislated for 15 years from November 1 2009, and is valid for the first 100 MW (megawatts) of PV solar power systems installed in the state.
In New South Wales, there is a GROSS Feed-in Tariff which provides 60¢ per kWh of energy you generate regardless of what you use. This has been legislated for 7 years from January 1 2010.
Both NSW an Vic Feed-in Tariff schemes are well on their way to reaching the half way target for solar generation capacity.
How do I get more cash back for the energy I generate?
Very simply - use less power. Where a GROSS feed-in tariff is in place, you will get credit for all the power you generate, so pray for more sun. Where you have a net feed-in tariff in place, such as Victoria, you need to use less power during the times that you are generating power, as you only get a 1 for 1 credit for power you use whilst generating. Simple tips include:
- Doing energy intensive machinery tasks out of generation times
- Turn on the dishwasher after dinner, not in the middle of the day
- Clothes washing should be done first thing in the morning
- Put your pool filter on between 6:00am - 9:00am, and 6:00pm - 11:00pm
- Turn off stand-by power appliances such as TV and DVD systems at the wall
- Make sure that your applicances such ad fridge and freezer have good energy ratings
