12 Month Plan Energy

Results						Steps to Take

						Choose a power company that offers 'green' renewable energy. I.e. wind, water (hydro), sun (solar), geothermal or biomass (e.g. wood wastes and landfill gas)
						Install double glazing or lined curtains, particularly on the southern/colder side of your house, to reduce heat loss through the windows in your home
						When building a new home, incorporate passive solar design principles - get a BRANZ Green Home Scheme Rating done
						Install air vents rather than air conditioning. This will save you about 10% on your energy bill.
						Install a solar water heater. This will heat your water for free for 3/4 of the year.
						Ensure your water storage cylinder thermostat is set between 55 to 60 degrees C. Reduces water heating costs and being burnt.
						Use door snakes (draught stoppers) to reduce draughts.
						Close your curtains at dusk to retain heat inside your home
						Use an extra blanket or hot-water bottle instead of an electric blanket.
						Put on a jersey instead of a heater.
						Replace your open fire with a glass fronted wood stove or electric heater as these are significantly more efficient.
						Block off your open fireplace when not in use.
						Reduce condensation by leaving curtains, windows and doors open on fine days. Dry air is healthier and easier to heat.
						Install insulation in your home to retain heat, and reduce dampness. Particularly important in the ceiling, which loses more heat than the walls or floor.
						Use natural daylight instead of turning on the lights.
						Turn of all lights and appliances when not in use. Appliances use up to 40% of their annual energy consumption on standby.
						Wash your clothes with cold water not hot and use less electricity
						Vent your dryer to the outside, so the moisture doesnt make the house damp and difficult to heat.
						Capture as much sunlight as possible. Keep windows clean and remove overhanging branches from trees on the southern side of your house. Makes your house warmer and drier and reduces heating needs.
						Plant a deciduous tree to shade your biggest west- and north-facing windows in summer or use awnings to reduce overheating. Reduces the amount of energy you need to cool your house.
						Fit water-saving shower heads and save $'s and 2200 kg CO2. Reducing your shower by two minutes can save 2% of energy in most homes.
						If your central heating is set above 21 degrees C, try reducing it by 2 degrees. This cut can reduce your heating bills by 10% without reducing your comfort.
						When incandescent light bulbs blow, fit compact fluorescents as these have a longer lifetime and use 75% less electricity to produce the same amount of light as an equivalent incandescent bulb - saving $'s and 250 kg CO2.
						Use an insulation wrapper on your hot water cylinder and save 5% on heating per year.
						Turn your computer monitor off when not in use, as the monitor uses over half the total energy needed to run the computer (the screen saver does not save power).
						When purchasing whitewear appliances, choose the most energy efficient model that's the right size for your needs.
						Turn off your electric towel rail, particularly in summer and when it is not needed.
						Avoid using a clothes drier. Hang clothes on a washing line in the fresh air. This saves money and helps your clothes stay fresh
						Only use your dishwasher or washing machine when it is full.
						If your fridge or freezer is next to an oven, heater or sunny window, move it to a cooler location so it requires less energy to keep your food cold.
						Ensure that the heat-exchange coils at the back of your fridge and freezer are well ventilated and dust free. This will assist optimal energy efficiency.
						Dont open the fridge or freezer door too often, or for very long, as this lets the cool air escape and takes energy to recool.
						Defrost your fridge and freezer twice a year to improve efficiency.
						Check the door seals on your fridge and freezer and replace if necessary. They should be tight enough to hold a piece of paper trapped in place when the door is closed.
						Let food cool before placing it in the freezer/fridge. This will ensure the fridge/freezer does not have to work harder to cool it.
						When in use, don't open the oven door too often as the temperature drops approximately 15 degrees C each time.
						Use the oven to cook more than one dish at a time. This reduces the overall amount of energy your oven uses
						Use lids - uncovered pots use three times more energy.
						Use the correct sized pot to match the ring size on the stove top. Otherwise heat is being lost.
						Boil the kettle for water, not the stove top.
						Use cold water when filling the kettle and only heat the amount you need.
						Use thermostats and timers on heaters so you dont forget to turn them off, or overheat your home.
						Use a clothes line to dry washing when possible.
						Ask at your local council for information on any home insulation schemes to assist people in rented housing, and/or living on low incomes.

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