- Invest in a rainwater tank. Not only will you save money you will save water at the same time. There are a lot of rebates still available for rainwater tanks and installation.
- You can save money by turning off your household appliances and lights when not in use. For those devices that have a standby mode such as TV, DVD, microwave and stereo equipment. These need to be turned off at the power point also. Devices these days are being built with standby modes that still use power even when they are turned off.
- When you are buying new electrical powered equipment; choose efficient models that are designed to use less power. Buy the appropriate size appliance for the job. For example, a big 4-star energy rated refrigerator uses more power than a smaller 4-star refrigerator, saving you money.
- Invest in low energy light globes such as Compact Fluorescent Lights. Halogen lights are the least efficient form of lighting, and you won’t be able to buy them soon. Light Emitting Diodes can replace halogen lights although they are currently quite expensive.
- Dry your clothes on a washing line or clothes horse, rather than use a clothes dryer as they can consume vast amounts of power.
- Consider installing water-efficient showerheads and water aerators in kitchen and bathrooms. A large portion of power usage goes on hot water. So, if you use less hot water you use less power.
- Make sure that you run your washing machine and dishwasher when they are full, rather than only having a few items inside. This will save money on electricity and save water, as well as time.
- Set your air conditioning to less extreme temperatures. For example; on a hot day set it to 24 degrees instead of 22. Try to keep the doors closed and only cool specific rooms you need to use.
- Explore passive design principles that will make your home more efficient in terms of storing heat and staying cool. Insulate the house. The government is still offering substantial rebates on rainwater tanks, insulation and solar hot water.
- To save money on energy, you should use; energy-intensive equipment at off-peak times. Generally after 10 pm and before 8 am, although; check with your energy retailer to verify times as they are different with different retailers.
If you follow these steps and purchase a rainwater tank your bank account will have had built up savings by the time you know it!