LIGHTING

• Replace incandescent lamps with CFL's - Savings up to 80% 
• Replace low voltage halogen downlights with CFL's  (conversion kit available for $7.95 each, must be installed by electrician.) - Savings up to 84%
   

WATER HEATING

• Replace standard shower rose with AAA (9 litres/minute) rose (saves water and energy) 
• Have showers rather than baths and limit shower time to four minutes (saves water and energy) 
• Fix dripping taps. Replace perished washers (saves water and energy) 
• Fill electric jugs/kettles with cold water 
• Wash clothes with cold water 
• Turn off water heater if going away for more than a few days 
• If water very hot, have thermostat adjusted to around 55°C
   

AIR CONDITIONING

• Run thermostat at around 25°C in summer and 18°C in winter
• Ensure ceiling is insulated
• Ensure room(s) to be conditioned can be closed off and well sealed
• Avoid opening doors of conditioned rooms too often
• Try to shade windows externally, especially east and west facing windows
• Ensure windows are shaded internally
• Clean filters regularly
   

COOKING

• Use portable appliances, such as microwave, frypan, toaster and kettle, rather than oven or cooktop
• Use good fitting lids on pots and pans whenever possible
• Ensure pots and pans are the correct size for hotplates
• Avoid opening oven door too often when cooking
• If using electric cooktop, turn hotplate(s) off prior to completion of cooking as heat is retained for some time in the hotplate.

REFRIGERATION

•   Set temperature at around 4°C in refrigerator and around 18°C in freezer 
• Open fridge/freezer doors as infrequently as possible and close them as soon as possible 
• Ensure door seals are working effectively 
• Defrost freezer when frost builds up to 6mm thick 
• Locate fridge/freezer away from direct sunlight or heat source and ensure it is in a well-ventilated location with open space around it, including at least 150mm at the top, for heat to escape 
• Consider replacing fridge if old and/or inefficient. New 5 star models use around half the power of 20 year old models of equivalent size
   

DISHWASHER

• Do full loads only
• Use economy settings when possible (it uses cold water in some cycles)
• Connect to cold water only (ensures dishes are washed at best temperature) 
   

CLOTHES WASHING AND DRYING

• Do full loads when washing, but don't overload machine
• Use cold water for washing
• Use economy settings when possible
• Consider front load clothes washer rather than top load model when replacing machine
• Use clothes line rather than electric dryer
• Clean lint filter on dryer
• Open windows and outside doors if operating clothes dryer inside, to allow moisture to escape.

OTHER

• Turn off appliances that have a "standby mode" at the power outlet, when not using them 
• Operate pool pump for minimum appropriate time  (6-8 hours - summer, 2-4 hours - winter) 
• Consider having air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers and pool pumps connected to tariff 33 to reduce costs.