Sustainability Unit

Top End household tips to save energy and money

If you don't need it, turn it off!

Water heating
Cooking
Cooling
Lighting
Household Appliances
Transport

By following some simple steps, living in the Top End can become low energy living. Consider if you really need an air conditioner, and if so, determine how and where it will be used in your new home, before design decisions are made.

While heating is not necessary in the Top End and the use of ceiling fans in well-designed houses can provide comfortable conditions for much of the year.

Water Heating

Invest in a solar hot water heater and enjoy free, "green" hot water (avoid using the booster).
Use less hot water where you can: bathing and clothes washing make up the largest proportion of hot water consumption, so install AAA rated water efficient fittings, take shorter showers, and wash clothes in cold water.
If the hot water thermostat is adjustable, set it to 60°C.
Add extra insulation to electric hot water heaters.
Try turning off electric hot water systems during the wet season and when you go away.
Turn your electric hot water system off at the switchboard for 23 hours/day (or have an electrician install a time switch). Heating the water for 1 hour/day should be sufficient and the insulated tank will keep the water warm. If you find this doesn't meet your needs try heating the water two 1 hour periods a day.

Cooking

Practice efficient cooking methods: Put lids on pots.
Choose a pot that completely covers the hot plate or burner. Simmer gently.
Cook toast in a toaster, not under the grill.
Gas cook tops and microwave ovens cost less to run and produce less carbon dioxide than electric cook tops.

Cooling

Minimise air-conditioner use. Air flow from fans and the breeze can make you feel 5° C cooler for less than 80 watts.
Areas that are likely to be air conditioned consistently through the build-up and the Wet should be isolated from the rest of the house.
Reduce your clothing level instead of turning on air conditioning.
Don't over-cool your space - every degree difference in temperature between indoors and outdoors adds significantly to cooling bills.
Locate air conditioners in the shade.
Seal air leaks around doors and windows in air-conditioned areas.
Purchase air conditioners with the highest Star Rating possible. Regularly clean fins, coils, and filters of your unit - regular maintenance will keep the unit running more efficiently.
Whilst air-conditioning, close all the doors and windows, keep the curtains closed and turn it off when you leave the room.
Run the air conditioner for half an hour before you go to bed to cool the room, and then turn it off.

Lighting

Use natural daylight as much as possible.
Turn lights off when you leave a room for more than five minutes.
Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps as they use 75% less power to produce the same light and last up to eight times longer.
Install energy efficient tubes. Use triphosphour tubes in fluorescent light fittings: they produce 20% more light and have almost double the tube life in comparison to standard
fluorescent tubes. Reduce the number of tubes in fittings for maximum benefits from using the brighter tubes.
Choose light coloured surface finishes and lampshades to increase light reflection. Also, keep diffusers, lampshades and fittings clean as dust and dirt absorb light.
Install energy efficient light fittings. Highly reflective and contoured backings maximise light output plus low loss ballasts in fluorescent lights reduce power use. Avoid up lighting.

Household Appliances

Purchase appliances with the highest Star Rating possible and the least kWh per year.
Buy the right sized appliance to suit your needs. For example, a small bar fridge may do for a second fridge.
Ensure fridge/freezer door seals are clean, that doors close properly, and that fridge/freezer doors are not constantly being opened.
Whenever possible dry clothes on the line instead of using a clothes dryer.
Find out the minimum time you can run your pool pump each day.

Transport

Use alternatives to one person one car travel when possible; walking, bikes, car pooling, and public transport all reduce carbon dioxide emissions and energy costs.
Choose the most efficient vehicle to meet your needs and use it efficiently: drive smoothly, avoid stop-start traffic, switch the engine off instead of excessive idling at a stand still, close windows when using the air conditioner, ensure cars are regularly maintained, and tyres are kept at maximum air pressure.