Conserving Energy 101

This month we give you some tips on ways to conserve energy around the home. With a lot of focus in public and in the media on recycling and waste, it's easy to forget just how big an impact something as simple as not using energy unnecessarily can have.

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

• Set goals to reduce energy - for example, to lower usage of electricity, gas, water, or even fuel in the car, by 20% every month or quarter etc. Keep track of past usage and compare every time a new bill comes in.
• Get your family or everyone in your household involved. One person can make a big difference, times that by however many people you live with and the difference becomes huge.
• Make a habit of turning things off at the power point if they aren't going to be used for long periods of time. Some things can even be switched off at the wall overnight, every night. This also applies to turning off lights when you are not using them.
• You can also plug appliances into a power-surge power board; this not only protects them, but you can simply turn the power off for the board itself to reduce all of attached item's electrical usage.
• Use the money you save to do something fun - reward yourself and everyone involved! Positive reinforcement goes a long way in sustaining a habit.
• If possible, choose an energy company focused on renewable energy.
• In hot areas, if you have west-facing windows use window tints, blinds, trees or bushes to keep heat out in the summer. In general, you will lower your summer air-conditioning bill by planting trees along the western-side of your home.
• Paint your home a light colour if you live in a warm area, or a dark colour if you live in a cold area.
• Insulate your hot water heater (a tank that is warm to the touch needs added insulation), as well as hot water pipes and ducts located in unheated areas.
• When using a tap for water, unless you absolutely need warm/hot water, always use the coldest setting.

CHANGE YOUR THINKING

Don't dismiss greener living as too hard or expensive - even making small changes in your household habits can make a positive impact.

More tips next month! This page is proudly brought to you by NRE - Natural Resources Environment