SAVING MONEY - AND ENERGY
Sustainability starts with you. There are lots of things you can do to lessen your impact on the environment. Some of these are listed below.
Turn off electrical appliances at the wall
Did you know that 'stand-by' energy can be as much as 10% of your household's total electrical use? Switch your appliances off at the wall to save stand-by energy.
Hang wet clothes on the line to dry
Avoid using a clothes dryer. These use large amounts of electricity and are unnecessary when warm sunny days can dry clothes naturally.
Adjust the temperature on your air conditioner
Each degree of extra heating or cooling increases energy consumption by up to 10%. In Winter, you should set your temperature between 18 - 21 degrees Celsius, and in Summer 24 – 26 degrees Celsius.
Seal drafts around doors, windows, and from under floor boards
Cold air will sneak through any cracks in your home, pushing out the air you've just paid to heat or cool.
Have short, efficient showers and install a water-efficient shower head
This saves both water and energy because you will use much less hot water.
Replace your electric hot water system
Water heating is the biggest energy user in most NSW homes and installing a solar hot water system, heat pump or gas hot water system could save you hundreds of dollars per year.
Fix leaking taps and toilets
Leaks are silent money wasters that can exist unknown for years. Find them and fix them. To find a sneaky leak, check the reading on your water meter before you go to bed. Check it again the next morning to see if water was running while you were sleeping.
Keep food waste out of the bin
Did you know that food waste in landfill produces higher quantities of even stronger greenhouse gases than what it would produce from natural breakdown?
Put food waste in a compost bin or worm farm and produce nutrient rich compost for your garden to keep plants strong and healthy.
Recycle glass, plastic, metal, and paper waste
If you are unsure what can be recycled see Waste & Recycling or the DECCW’s Easy Guide to Recycling.
Buy 100% recycled toilet paper and tissue paper
Why use virgin material to flush down the toilet when Australia has large amounts of clean office waste paper that is recycled into responsible, high-quality products?
Don't waste trees down the toilet. Find out more at Wipe It Out.
Use phosphorous-free detergents
Washing powders made from natural ingredients are safer and healthier to use and do our waterways a big favour.
‘Green cleaning' is a way to clean your home with fewer products and safer alternatives, producing less waste and a safer home.
Dispose of your nasty, unsafe cleaning chemicals correctly at a Household Chemical Cleanout.
Modern homes often contain a broad range of chemicals like cleaners, paints, pesticides and motor oils. Many of these chemicals are incorrectly disposed of into landfill or urban sewerage where they leak into our groundwater.
Use less, dispose smartly and help prevent nasty chemicals getting into the environment.
Think health, comfort, environment, and long term costs when making your big decision. It can save you thousands!
Want to learn more about sustainable living? Visit: