1. SWITCH TO GREENPOWER

GreenPower is electricity from renewable energy like wind and solar instead of coal. Almost all Australian electricity companies offer the choice of GreenPower - for a list see www.greenpower.com.au.  In New Zealand Greenpower (greenpowercompany.co.nz) buys carbon credits to help offset CO2 emmissions on their customers’ behalf.  

Switching to GreenPower is the best way to cut your greenhouse pollution in the home. When you switch, you'll see no change in the way electricity comes to your house and there is no supply disruption. The only difference is there is often a small extra charge, some or all of the electricity that you use will come from a renewable energy source and directly reduce greenhouse pollution.

2. GET OUT OF HOT WATER

Heating water uses a lot of energy. Electric hot water systems are still the most common.  An average system produces up to 4 tonnes of greenhouse pollution per year and accounts for nearly half of the electric bill. To try and reduce your monthly bill:

1. Turn the temperature down. Most hot water systems come with a thermostat and you can easily vary the set temperature. By reducing the water temperature by as little as 5°C, you can reduce energy consumption by between 3% and 5%. (Note that it's recommended you don't set the thermostat lower than 60°C).

2. Switch the water heater off if you go away for more than a few days - all the time it's on, you're heating up the outside.

3. Switch your washing machine to cold water. Using a warm setting will save 2 kilograms of greenhouse gas per wash while a cold wash will save 4 kilograms compared to a hot wash.

4. Taking shorter showers, insulating hot water pipes and fixing dripping hot taps are also great ways to save energy and water.

GREENHOME FACT: A gas boosted solar hot water system is the most greenhouse-friendly way to heat your hot water.

3. MAKE YOUR FRIDGE MORE EFFICIENT

The fridge uses a lot of energy, and the older the fridge the higher the probability it will be a polluter. If you are buying a new fridge, look for the Energy Star rating system. Stickers on the products show a star energy rating. The more stars, the more efficient the product, plus it shows you the energy consumption of the appliance.

But you don't need a new, efficient fridge to cut your emissions. There are lots of adjustments you can make.

1. If you have a second fridge that is mostly empty, turn it off when not in use (leave the door slightly open).

2. Fresh food compartments should be set at around 4°C to 5°C and freezers should optimally be set between -15°C and -18°C.

3. Never put hot food into the fridge - let it cool down first.

4. Try to open the door as little as possible

5. Keep fridges and freezers in a cool, well ventilated spot (away from the oven and the sun) and you can save up to 100kg of greenhouse gases per year.

6. Ensure the coils are clean and well ventilated - that will save you another 150kg per year.

7. Fix the door and seals so that they close properly - that's another 50kg a year you will save.

4. SWITCH OFF STAND-BY POWER

Standby power is the electricity consumed by an appliance when it's not performing its primary function.

When you turn appliances off with the remote control rather than at the switch, an appliance will go to 'standby power'. Likewise, when you've turned your computer off and you see a blinking light on the monitor, it is using standby power.

In most households, TVs, video and DVD players, computers and stereos are left on standby when not in use. Often the standby power serves no useful function or operates at excessive levels for the background task being performed (such as running a clock).

A report commissioned by the Australian Greenhouse Office found that standby power costs consumers over AUS$950 million each year and generated more than 6.5 million tonnes of greenhouse pollution in 2005.

Computers and accessories, home entertainment equipment (including televisions and set tops boxes), major appliances and other office equipment are the highest contributors to standby power in the home.

When you've finished watching a video or TV or listening to a CD, switch the unit off completely (preferably at the wall). An easy way to do this is to use power boards with individual switches for each appliance.

GREENHOME FACT: Appliances on standby use on average 92 wattes per household, or 807kW/h per year. This costs you more than $100 per year.

For more information on Green homes visit: http://www.acfonline.org.au