Gas boosted solar hot water system

• Solar, heat pump or natural gas water heaters are the most energy efficient.
• Insulate hot water pipes, especially the first two metres leading from the hot water system. Closed cell rubber insulation is recommended.
• Turn your hot water unit off if you're going away for an extended period. Some units have a 'vacation' setting to make this easier.

Shading to windows and Eaves over windows for shading

• External shading is the best way to prevent summer heat gain through windows. Shade 'hot' windows in summer with eaves, awnings, shutters or trees, to reduce heat absorption by up to 80%.
• Protect your windows - up to 40% of total heat loss from a home occurs through uncovered windows. Close-fitting, heavy drapes or blinds, or double-glazed windows reduce heat loss.
• Zone your home: being able to close off different areas of your home allows you to heat only those areas in use at any one time.
• Open up curtains to north-facing windows on sunny winter days to let in the natural warmth.

Wall insulation

• Make sure corners of ceilings, walls and floors are properly insulated - this is often where heat leaks are found.
• Bulk insulation materials have good soundproofing qualities. A building blanket installed directly under metal roofing helps to reduce noise resulting from wind, rain and hail. If soundproofing is desired between rooms, high density insulation can be installed in internal walls.

6-star reverse cycle air-conditioning system

• When purchasing a cooling unit, look for energy rating labels which contain an energy star rating. The more stars shown on the label, the more efficient the unit.
• The temperature of a cooled room in summer should be about 23-26ºC. Check the temperature after the air conditioner has been operating for 30 minutes.
• Cooling units should be regularly cleaned for optimum performance.

Compact fluorescent globe

• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs in rooms where the light is on for long periods.
• Use the lowest wattage light needed to adequately light up an area.
• Avoid using down lights (a number are needed to light a room, and they can lead to heat loss through the holes in the ceiling and the insulation).
• Keep lights and fittings clean. Dusty or dirty globes and fittings can reduce light output by up to 50%.

Well ventilated refrigerator space

• When buying a refrigerator, freezer or dishwasher, choose one with a high star energy rating. The more stars on the label, the more efficient the appliance and less energy it uses.
• Freezers should operate at -15ºC to -18ºC while fresh food compartments should operate at around 3ºC to 4ºC. Don't set the temperature too low - a change of one degree can affect energy consumption by up to 5%. Check refrigerator and freezer temperatures with an appliance thermometer.
• Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper out easily, the hinge may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing.

Floor insulation

• Draught-proof your home. In winter, your heating costs can increase by up to 25% because of draughts. Check doors, windows, fireplaces, air outlets, vents and skirting boards for gaps and choose from the wide range of draught-proofing products to seal areas.
• Make sure corners of ceilings, walls and floors are properly insulated - this is often where heat leaks are found.
• Avoid gaps in the insulation. Even if only 5% of the area is left uninsulated, up to 50% of the potential benefits may be lost.

3A rated showerhead

• Install a AAA-rated showerhead, or fit a flow restricting valve to existing shower heads, to reduce the amount of water delivered. These devices can cut water delivery from the shower in half without affecting shower quality.

Bathroom fixtures

• Install water saving devices like dual flush toilets, water saving aerators and flow regulators in your taps. Fix dripping taps. A tap dripping 45 times per minute wastes around 1000 litres of hot water a month, the equivalent of ten bathtubs or over $25 per year!

Ceiling insulation

• Good insulation should be coupled with effective window shading and ventilation in summer to avoid trapping heat inside the home.
• Reflective foil installed under the roof (sarking) will reflect large amounts of direct radiation away from the home in summer.

Indigenous species

• Choosing local indigenous species will result in less maintenance and watering.

Rainwater tanks

• Rainwater can be used for flushing toilets, watering your garden, washing your car or used in your washing machine - and will help reduce your water bills. It also means reduced demand on our drinkable water supply.