There are many ways to cut energy costs

ENERGY costs in Australia are outrageous. If our capital cities were countries, they would be five of the 10 costliest places in the world, which means we need energy-saving strategies to reduce bills.

HEATING AND INSULATION

Insulation is the number one area for savings.

Ceilings, walls and floors are key for heat loss, while sealing out draughts is also important. Gaps under doors, around windows and between floorboards can be a big source of heat loss.

Room temperatures should be around 18 to 21 degrees Celsius. For every degree above 21C inside, heating costs increase by 10 per cent. Wearing warm clothing in winter helps, while a heater left on all day will blow your winter bill out by up to $250 a quarter.

WINDOWS

Much of a home’s heat is lost through bare glass.

Insulation, weather stripping and appropriate curtains in the living room can cut bills substantially.

Keeping the living room closed off from unheated rooms and using an energy efficient gas heater will make a big difference.

HOT WATER

Hot water is the secondbiggest energy sapper. Install an off-peak hot water system, then use low-flow shower heads, wash clothes in cold water and lower the dishwasher temperature to save big.

Dripping hot water taps will add around $19 per tap to your bill. While clothes lines cost nothing to run, an electric dryer will chew up around $50 a quarter.

REFRIGERATOR

Refrigerators are your thirdlargest user of energy, but many don’t operate them at the right temperature.

They need run only at 4C to 5C. Any lower is a waste of power.

Keep the coils behind the fridge clean and 10cm clear of the wall to allow air to circulate around them and aid the cooling process.

The difference between a fridge with a five-star energy rating and a one-star model can be around $55 a quarter.

LIGHTING

Using compact fluorescent globes in peak areas can save around $80 over the globe’s life. Replacing 60 watt globes with 40 watt can save $10 or $12 a room. Downlights and spotlights through a house will use around $80 more in power.

BUILDING

If building a home, you have the chance to do it right from the start. The choice of materials, insulation, the size and direction of windows, proximity to nearby buildings and use of deciduous trees can all make for an energyefficient home.