The energy use in an average Australian home can be broken down into seven categories with heating and cooling appliances on average accounting for more than a third of all energy use.

• In winter, unshade windows and let the sun shine into your home for free heating.
• In summer, use shading eg external blinds, curtains or deciduous trees, to keep your home cool. Adjustable shading can provide shading in summer without blocking the sun in winter.
• In summer set your cooling appliance’s thermostat to between 24C to 27C or as high as is comfortable. In winter, set the thermostat to 18C to 21C or as low as is comfortable. For every 1C lower in summer and higher in winter, the appliance’s running costs can increase by 10%.
• If using a portable heater such as an oil, column or fan heater, only heat the rooms you’re using as these heaters can be very expensive to run.
• Install a water efficient shower head and take shorter showers (around 4 minutes). Water heating accounts for 25% of energy use in a typical home.
• Turn off second fridges and freezers eg bar fridges when not required.
• Set your fridge’s temperature to between 3C and 5C and your freezer to between -15C and -18C.
• Wash clothes in cold water where possible and dry clothes on a clothesline or clothes airer rather than a dryer.

• Find out more about energy saving from the South Australian government’s Energy Advisory Service by visiting sa.gov.au/energy or calling 8204 1888 or 1800 671 907 (FreecallTM from fixed lines only).  If you are building a new home or renovating you can also find out about energy efficient home design.
• Ask the Council’s Service Centre or Library staff which energy saving guides and brochures they have available.
• Borrow a do-it-yourself Home Energy Toolkit from our library and complete a home energy audit. The toolkit’s simple step-by-step process will help you understand and reduce your household’s energy consumption.  Find the kits using the Library Catalogue
• Look for the best energy deal for you by visiting the Australian Government’s price comparison website energymadeeasy.gov.au or call 1300 585 165.
• Find out if you are eligible for a concession by visiting sa.gov.au/concessions
• Talk to your energy provider about spreading your payments. Paying your energy bill in instalments can help you to manage your budget and avoid getting a large quarterly bill.

Many households in South Australia are concerned with rising energy prices. If the demand for energy increases, more infrastructure is required with costs passed on to households. By saving energy, the need to provide additional infrastructure can be reduced.

Additionally, Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions per person are among the highest in the developed world. By using less energy, you can help to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and help the environment.

The City of Charles Sturt is participating in the South Australian government’s Energy Partners Program assisting households to save energy.