Home Energy Efficiency
By making small changes at home, you can reduce your impact on the environment, increase resilience to climate change, and save money on your energy bills. Many of these tricks cost you nothing – such as changing the temperature on your air conditioning and having shorter showers.
Home Energy Use
A typical Australian home uses electricity and gas like this:
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40% - heating and cooling
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25% - appliances (e.g., TV, fridge, washing machine)
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25% - water heating
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5% - lighting
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5% - cooking
Every home is a little different depending on what appliances you have, their energy efficiency and how often they are used, and the design of your home.
What is Peak Demand?
Peak electricity demand typically happens in the evening between 5pm and 9pm when people get home and turn on many energy consuming appliances such as TV’s, lights, washing machines and cooking equipment.
Over the hot Perth summer this increases dramatically as people also switch on air conditioners and pool pumps.
As we continue to experience a rise in extreme weather events, including longer and hotter heatwaves, peak demand days will happen more often.
How to Reduce Summer Energy Demand
We can all make small changes to reduce energy use during peak demand times:
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Use major appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers in the morning or middle of the day. Limit use between 5pm and 9pm.
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Run pool pumps during the middle of the day, instead of peak times.
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Set your air conditioner to no less than 24°C. Every degree higher on your air conditioner can save up to 10% off your electricity bill.
Free Home Energy Audits
The City of Cockburn offers a limited number of free Home Eco-Audits each year to help you find ways to reduce you water and energy use and save money around the home.
You can also loan a DIY Home Energy Assessment Toolkit (HEAT Kit) from one of our libraries.
For more information Free Home Eco-Audits & DIY Audit Kits
More Information
For more energy saving tips visit: