Episode 17 :: Switch off and save
And if we all did our bit, we could save the country over $320 million of energy a year – which means more of today’s resources would be left for future generations.
Switch-off checklist
Here are some simple switch-off habits to get you started:
Lights. It just makes sense – switch them off when you’re leaving a room. Home entertainment. Television, games console, dvd player, digital television receiver, stereo: if you’re not using them, switch them off. And if you can still see a little red light, it is still using energy – switch them off at the wall when you can. Second fridge. Unless you use it regularly, switch it off or consider getting rid of it altogether. Phone chargers. If it’s warm, it’s still using energy. Unplug phone chargers from the wall once you’ve finished charging. Washing machine. They still use stand-by energy when you’re not using them, so switch your washing machine off at the wall. Kitchen appliances. Microwave, toaster, kettle, coffee machine and plenty of other plug-in appliances still consume electricity when you’re not using them, so switch them off at the wall. Heated towel rails. Set the timer so they only switch on when you need them, instead of all the time. You can buy a timer from a hardware store.
Computers. Use the power options on your computer to save electricity when you’re not using it. And, when you’re finished using it for the day, turn your computer off properly.
To get in the habit of switching off, make a list that you can keep adding to and put it somewhere the whole household can see it. Use the switch off checklist.
More easy, energy-saving habits
There are lots of other easy, energy saving habits you can get into around your home: Cold laundry washes. At four loads a week, using cold washes instead of hot could save around $50 to $75 of energy a year. Line-dry clothes. Using the sun to dry your clothes, rather than a dryer, can save you around $200 each year. Full dishwasher loads. Save water and energy by only running the dishwasher when it’s fully loaded, and then on an ‘eco’ or ‘fast’ wash setting. Defrost the fridge/freezer. Ice build-up in your fridge or freezer can make run inefficiently. It can also prevent it from maintaining safe temperatures for food storage. Switch to efficient light bulbs. They use up to 80% less energy than old-style bulbs and there’s an energy efficient option for virtually all your lighting needs.
For more ideas, download an action sheet on energy-saving tips for your home.
Did you know?
We waste over $100 million a year across the country leaving our appliances on stand-by – so it pays to switch them off at the wall!
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