Saving Energy

90% of energy comes from fossil fuels such as coal – this creates greenhouse gas pollution and causes global warming and climate change.

There are many simple changes you can make at home to reduce your energy consumption. When you use less energy, you not only save money but help protect our environment from the impacts of climate change. 

Easy ways you can make a difference are to:

  • Install energy efficient lighting and always turn off lights when you leave a room
  • Switch off appliances at the power point instead of leaving them on standby
  • Purchase appliances with a high energy star rating as they use less energy
  • Wash your clothes in cold water and hang your clothes out to dry instead of using the dryer
  • Use the energy efficient setting on your dishwasher and only run it when it is full
  • Set your air conditioning/ heating units appropriately a couple of degrees higher in summer and a couple of degrees lower in winter i.e. summer 23- 26ºC and winter 18-21 ºC.
  • When replacing an electric hot water service install a high efficiency gas or solar unit
  • Ride a bike, walk or use public transport instead of driving where possible

Home Power Savings Program

Through the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Home Power Savings Program, 220,000 eligible households* will save up to 20% a year on their power use.

Every eligible household* that joins the program will get a FREE:

- Home power assessment by an energy expert to identify ways to save power in the home

- Power Savings Kit to help kick start savings which includes:

  • Stand-by saver power board;
  • 4 energy efficient light bulbs;
  • Low flow showerhead;
  • Shower timer;
  • Tap aerator;
  • Draught-proof strips for around the door;
  • Door snakes.

- Personal Power Savings Action Plan

 * To be eligible for the program you must live in NSW and contribute to the power bills for the property. At least one person in your household must have one of the following cards:

  • Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
  • Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
  • Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
  • Department of Veterans' Affairs (Gold) Repatriation Health Card
  • Department of Veterans' Affairs (White) Repatriation Health Card

    OR
  • be a recognised energy utility hardship customer 

Visit the Home Power Savings Program website for more information.

  

Power-Mate Energy Meters  

 Now Available for loan from Ashfield Libraries!

Ashfield Council has recently added three Power-Mate portable energy meters to its Library catalogue. The Power-Mates can be borrowed free of charge from Ashfield or Haberfield Library and can be used to monitor the energy consumption of different appliances in your home. The Power-Mate will even estimate the average costs of running the appliance over the year, both in dollar value and in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Power-Mate is a very useful tool for understanding energy use in your home and will allow you to make more informed decisions about how you can reduce energy consumption, save money off your energy bills and help combat climate change through reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Enquire at the Library front desk to loan out this item.