In the home

Borrow a Save Power Kit or Thermal Camera from your local library.

Save power kit – Contains a Power-Mate Lite energy meter. The meter measures how much power appliances use. You can use this information to create a plan to reduce your energy bill.

Thermal camera – A thermal camera uses infrared light to detect variations of heat energy, such as air draughts, poor insulation, and leaks. You can use this information to create a plan to address issues before they become more serious.

These devices can be reserved and collected from any branch. Items must be borrowed on an adults' card.

Energy Made Easy lets you compare all electricity and gas retailers in your area to see if you are on the best energy offer for your needs. You can also learn how to understand your electricity usage and compare it against other households in your area.

Watch the EnergyWise Hornsby – understand energy bills video

• Make the most out of natural lighting
• Replace all light globes with energy efficient ones – light emitting diode (LED) or compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs
• Where possible install LED lighting, which last 80 times longer than incandescent globes and will save at least 85 percent of electricity use
• Keep lights and light fittings clean and free from dust. Dust build-up can reduce light output by up to 50 percent
• Paint walls in light colours to reduce the amount of lighting needed
• Read more about lighting.

• Seal cracks around windows and doors and use door ‘snakes’. Read the energy fact sheets on sealed doors(PDF, 213KB) and block draughts(PDF, 110KB)
• Hang heavyweight, tight-fitting curtains from closed pelmets to reduce heat loss by 30-50 percent
• Keep your home cooler in summer by shading north and west facing windows with native vegetation or awnings
• Wear warmer clothes in winter
• Close off unoccupied rooms when heating and cooling
• Install roof, underfloor and wall insulation. Watch the EnergyWise Hornsby - insulation and sealing video and read the energy fact sheet on insulation(PDF, 253KB)
• Use ceiling fans in summer and winter
• Reverse cycle air conditioners are up to four times more energy efficient than other heaters
• Use a thermometer to set temperatures for heating and cooling. Ensure it is between 18 to 20 degrees Celsius in Winter and 25 to 27 degrees Celsius in Summer
• Heat pump and solar hot water systems are cheap to run and are more efficient than other hot water heaters
• Watch the EnergyWise Hornsby – heating and cooling video and EnergyWise Hornsby – hot water video

Read more about heating and cooling and hot water systems.

• Turn off electrical appliances (computers, TVs, kitchen and laundry appliances) at the powerpoint and when not in use. Watch the EnergyWise Hornsby – standby power video and read the energy fact sheet on reducing standby power(PDF, 191KB)
• When purchasing new appliances buy a high star rated model to save energy and water. The more stars the more savings! Find out more about energy ratings
• Wait until you can wash dishes or laundry with full loads rather than washing small loads frequently
• Dry your washing on the clothes line rather than using a dryer as often as possible.

Read more about appliances.

A smart energy meter records your energy use in at least 30-minute intervals.

This means you can size-up the right size solar for your home, and perhaps save money in the process by knowing when you are using energy. You can request a smart meter from your electricity retailer.

There may be a small cost, or you might be surprised to find out you already have one.

Learn more about using smart meters.

You can request existing meter data from your network provider – Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy.

• Check for leaking taps. One leaking tap can waste up to 200 litres a day
• Install a water efficient showerhead or fit a flow-restricting valve. Showers can now use as little as 6-7 litres per minute instead of the old shower heads that used 22 litres per minute
• Turn your single-flush toilet into a dual-flush toilet or install a displacement device in the cistern (tank) of single-flush toilets
• Take shorter showers by using a timer
• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth and use a plug in the basin when shaving
• Before you go to bed, check your water metre reading then make sure no one uses any water overnight. If the reading is higher in the morning, you have a leak
• Install water efficient taps or tap aerators to cut water usage.

Read more about saving water in the bathroom.

• Choose a dishwasher with a 6-star WELS rating for a lower water bill
• Dishwashers connected to cold water are usually more efficient than those connected to hot water systems
• Use a bowl of water to rinse vegetables and other food items instead of running the tap
• Install water efficient taps or tap aerators to cut water usage.

Read more about saving water in the kitchen.

• Choose washing machines with a 6 star WELS rating
• Front-loading washing machines generally require less water than top-loading machines
• Only put on full loads
• Install water efficient taps or tap aerators to cut water usage

• Choose native plants, which require less water.
• Group plants with similar watering needs together.
• Adjust your watering patterns to weather conditions and plant needs.
• Wash your car on the lawn and water the grass at the same time.
• Use a bucket for washing and rinsing your car, rather than leaving the hose running which can waste 20 litres of water a minute.
• Use a rake or broom to clean paths and driveways rather than a hose.
• Install a greywater system(PDF, 555KB) to reuse your laundry water in the garden.
• Install a water tank for your garden. Rainwater can be used to water your garden, wash clothes and flush toilets. It can also be used to supplement the mains water supply, as long as you have approval from Sydney Water.

• The average backyard pool can lose up to 50,000 litres of water a year through evaporation. Installing a cover on pools and spas reduces this water loss
• Ask your local nursery for advice on plants to screen the pool or spa and further reduce water loss
• Install a shade cloth over the area to reduce evaporation
• Consider replacing a sand filter with a cartridge filter, which requires less backwashing
• Install an automatic pool cleaner to further reduce the need to backwash.