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.
Use motion sensors or timers on security lights instead of leaving lights on.
Lighting accounts for around 5% of household greenhouse gas emissions. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75% less energy than an equivalent incandescent bulb.
The Energy Rating label enables consumers to compare the energy efficiency of domestic appliances on a fair and equitable basis.
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 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 are full but not overloaded.
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.
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 in 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:
