Heating & Cooling

Winter: Set your thermostat between 18-20°C—each degree above 20°C uses about 10% more energy.

Summer: Set your cooling thermostat between 25-27°C—each degree below uses around 5% more energy.

Close doors to heat or cool only the rooms you’re using.

Maximise natural heating and cooling:

In winter, open curtains/blinds on north, east, and west-facing windows during the day and close them at night to retain warmth.

In summer, keep curtains and blinds closed during the day to block heat and use natural breezes at night to cool your home.

Hot Water

Wash clothes in cold water and only run full loads.

Use the dishwasher only when it’s full.

Install low-flow showerheads and take shorter showers.

Insulate exposed copper pipes with foam tubing to reduce heat loss.

Appliances & Cooking

Only boil as much water as you need. Use lids on pots to retain heat while cooking.

Dry clothes on a clothesline instead of using a dryer. If a dryer is necessary, clean the lint filter after each use.

Turn off devices at the wall—items with lights or clocks (like phone chargers) still consume power. This can save up to 10% of household energy.

Minimise pool filter running time based on the manual’s recommendations.

Refrigeration

Turn off extra fridges or freezers when not in use, and consider getting rid of unused ones.

Set fridge temperature to 3-5°C and freezer temperature to -15°C to -18°C.

Replace worn fridge/freezer door seals to maintain efficiency.

Position the fridge in a cool, shaded area with proper ventilation around all sides.

Lighting

Get in the habit of turning off lights when leaving a room.

Use natural light by opening curtains or blinds instead of switching on lights. In summer, balance natural light with preventing heat gain.

Replace old bulbs with energy-efficient ones.

Install motion sensors on outdoor lights to ensure they only turn on when needed.