HINTS AND TIPS IN OPERATING APPLIANCES SAFELY

HEATING

Set your thermostat between 18°C to 20°C. Every  1°C higher can means  an increase in your running cost by around 10 to 15 %.

• On sunny winter days, take advantage of free solar warmth by pulling back the curtains on north facing windows and letting the sunshine in.
• Make sure you adjust thermostats and timers seasonally. Also if you have underfloor heating make sure you turn it off when the warmer weather starts.
• Keep doors to unused rooms shut while heaters are on - only heat rooms that are being occupied.
• Turn off heaters in your living areas before going to bed. This is because your house will generally continue to retain its warmth for a few hours.
• Try using and extra blanket instead of an electric blanket. And dress appropriately for the cooler seasons - so you can reduce the temperature of heating appliances ( and vice - versa for the summer)
• Seal gaps around doors where they appear with weather stripping or ' Door Snakes '.
• Seal fire places when not in use
• Keep reflectors on heaters clean and free of dust, and service filters regularly.
• Cover your windows with thick curtains or blinds to help reduce heat loss. Insulated drapes are even more effective during both summer and winter.
• Insulate your home. Insulation can be easily installed in the ceiling of existing homes. It can also be installed under timber floors, where crawl space is available.

HOT WATER SYSTEMS

The Australian Greenhouse Office reports that 27% of the energy consumed in an average Australian home is used for heating water.

In fact depending on the type of water heating you have, hot water could count for up to half of your home's energy consumption. Try these saving ideas:

• If you're going on holidays, switch off your electric hot water storage unit or use the 'vacation' setting where available (but remember, some units need time to reheat overnight.)
• Get someone to check the thermostat on your hot water system, and reset if it's too high. Remember that most hot water system thermostats should only be adjusted by a qualified person, and that storage systems can't be set below 60°C ( in the tank ) for health reasons. As a quick check, test the hot water temperature at the point of delivery. It should be between 55°C and 60°C. In summer the water from the mains is a few degrees warmer in summer and usually at that time of year you would like to shower a bit cooler.
• Fix that drip! A tap dripping 45 times per minute wastes around 100 liters of water per month.
• Install AAA-rated water efficient showerheads. You'll enjoy significant savings on both your energy and water bills.
• Make sure the pipes from your hot water system are insulated to prevent heat loss.
• Install a solar boosted hot water unit for significant savings on sunny days.

SELECTING APPLIANCES USING ENERGY RATINGS.

When buying a new appliance, it's important to consider both cost of buying the appliance, as well as the cost of running the appliance. In some cases a more expensive appliance might cost you less in the long run if it's more efficient due to lower running costs.

Energy labels can help you to work out the cost of running an appliance.

GAS APPLIANCES

The gas efficiency rating applies to gas appliances. The more stars the more efficient the appliance. Multiply the average number of mega joules consumed per year (shown on the label) by the cost of gas per mega joule ( you can get this information of your gas retailer ).