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Save Energy at Home

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Taking control of your energy use and bills is easy. Discover what you can do to save energy and manage your energy bills.

Borrow a thermal imaging camera from our libraries

Discover ways to save energy at home using a thermal imaging camera. 

To find out more and borrow a thermal imaging camera, visit one of our three libraries or place one on hold via the online catalogue

How energy is used in the home

The amount of energy used in a home depends on:

  • Home Energy - How Energy is Used Graphic 2the number of people in the home and how they use different appliances
  • whether the home uses electricity, gas or both
  • the energy efficiency of the building and appliances.

Energy usage in the home:

  • Stand-by power = 3%

  • Cooking = 5%

  • Lighting = 7%

  • Fridges and freezers = 8%

  • Other appliances = 14%

  • Water heating = 23%

  • Heating and cooling = 40%

Infographic and data source: SA.GOV.AU - Home Energy Use

Energy saving tips and resources

The less energy you use, the less you have to pay for. There are many easy things you can to lower your energy use. 

Ways to save energy at home

  • in winter, unshade windows and let the sun shine into your home for free heating
  • in summer, use shading eg external blinds, curtains or deciduous trees, to keep your home cooler. Adjustable shading can provide shading in summer without blocking the sun in winter
  • in summer set your cooling appliance’s thermostat to between 24oC to 27oC or as high as is comfortable. In winter, set the thermostat to 18oC to 21oC or as low as is comfortable. For every 1oC lower in summer and higher in winter, the appliance’s running costs can increase by 10%
  • if using a portable heater such as an oil, column or fan heater, only heat the rooms you’re using as these heaters can be very expensive to run
  • install a water efficient shower head and take shorter showers (up to 4 minutes). Water heating accounts for almost a quarter of energy use in a typical home.
  • turn off second fridges and freezers eg bar fridges when not required
  • set your fridge’s temperature to between 3oC and 5oC and your freezer to between -15oC and -18oC
  • wash clothes in cold water where possible and dry clothes on a clothesline or clothes airer rather than a dryer
  • install insulation
  • seal draughts.

Thermal imaging cameras - available to borrow from our libraries

These devices improve home sustainability by helping you identify energy leaks and hidden heat patterns.

By pinpointing areas of heat loss, you can make informed decisions about insulation, sealing and energy consumption.

To borrow a thermal camera, visit the Norwood Library, St Peters Library or Payneham Library, or put one on hold via our online catalogue

Home Energy Toolkits available for loan

home energy kit imageWays to manage the cost of your energy bill include:

  • Find out more about energy saving from the South Australian government’s Energy Advisory Service. Visit: sa.gov.au - energy or call 8204 1888 or 1800 671 907 (FreecallTM from fixed lines only). If you are building a new home or renovating you can also find out about energy efficient home design
  • ask the Council’s Service Centre or Library staff which energy saving guides and brochures they have available
  • borrow a do-it-yourself Home Energy Toolkit from one of our libraries and complete a home energy audit. The toolkit’s simple step-by-step process will help you understand and reduce your household’s energy consumption
  • look for the best energy deal for you by visiting the Australian Government’s price comparison website Energy Made Easy or call 1300 585 165
  • find out if you are eligible for a concession by visiting: sa.gov.au - concessions  
  • talk to your energy provider about spreading your payments. Paying your energy bill in instalments can help you to manage your budget and avoid getting a large quarterly bill.

Climate ready homes

Resilient East has a series of resources, tips and offerings to support you to: 

  • keep homes cool in extreme heat, and warm in winter, whilst keeping costs down
  • adapt existing homes to suit a changing climate – refurbish, renovate, and seasonal preparation
  • be smart about energy and water use to reduce costs
  • utilise garden space and choice of outdoor materials
  • design for sustainability
  • live lightly with low impact on the environment and better outcomes for your health and wellbeing
  • connect with neighbours, landlords and public spaces to achieve broader, stronger climate ready outcomes.

Resilient East is a partnership between state and local government organisations in eastern Adelaide.

Visit: Climate Ready Homes

Why saving energy is important?

Many households in South Australia are concerned with rising energy prices. If the demand for energy increases, more infrastructure is required with costs passed on to households.

By saving energy, the need to provide additional infrastructure can be reduced.

Additionally, Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions per person are among the highest in the developed world. By using less energy, you can help to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and help the environment.

Energy Partners

Energy Partners Program logoThe City of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters is participating in the South Australian government’s Energy Partners Program. This program provides free energy efficiency information, advice and resources to help residents and businesses reduce their energy consumption.

For more information, visit: sa.gov.au - Energy Partners Program