housing energy
heating and cooling of our homes is a big part of a
house power budget
- passive cooling, insulation, venting, fans are preferable with
air-conditioning being the least preferred option
water heating
- solar hotwater has the lowest greenhouse gas footprint for
heating our water, gas is next (50% less), then heat pumps
(which are really very efficient electric powered hotwater
systems) with traditional electric hotwater being the least
preferred option.
electricity generation
- renewably generated electricity is available via "earth's
choice" or similar green electricity programs.
Here is a comparison of
programs available in Queensland
- PV solar panels, connected into the electricity grid, can
generate electricity whenever the sun is shining
efficient lighting
- turn off lighting when not in use
- Compact Fluro Lights are available which reduce electricity
use substantially
- LED lighting is one of the most energy efficient forms of
lighting available
efficient appliances
- 5 star or better refrigerators. Our fridges run 24x7 and
use quite a bit of energy
- 5 star or better washing machines can save both water and
power
standby power wastes a lot of energy
- tv, video, dvd, stereo, pvr, cable tv aren't really off, but
are still drawing power
- similarly our computers, monitors, printers, faxes, broadband
modems are always onHere is an
energy calculator which can help you estimate the costs of
your household electricity use. Being able to measure which
appliances use the most electricity in your home makes it easier
to save energy. The
Brisbane City Council and Qld State Government
ClimateSmart Home Service have subsidised home energy
monitors available.
transport energy
reducing car use
- encourage walking, cycling, public transport
- be smart about car use by doing all the errands in one larger
trip
- consider telecommuting, videoconferencing rather than driving
or flying for work
- consider carshare and
rent cars by the hour (cars contain a lot of embedded energy)
- when buying a car, prefer smaller, hybrid, solar charged
electric or hydrogen vehicles (when available)
food
- by eating food produced locally, and food that is in season,
we can eat food which is more fresh and avoid needlessly moving
food around the country and the planet.
water
conserve water by
- dual flush toilets, efficient washing machines, water
restrictors on taps and showers
- installing water tanks
- installing grey water systems which recycle water from showers
and washing machines
- using less electricity. coal fired power stations use a
lot of water to generate electricy
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