Did you know that you can also win by taking advantage of Rick Hart’s great power saving energy efficient products from fridges to washing machines, air conditioners and even dishwashers.

For more information visit the Rick Hart website.

The following information provides the facts at a glance. For more information please visit the appropriate websites.

State Government

Western Australian Solar Water Heater Subsidy

Rebate

• $500 for natural gas-boosted solar water heaters.
• $700 for bottled LP gas -boosted solar water heaters used in areas without reticulated gas.

How to apply

Contact your solar water heater supplier to assess your eligibility and apply.

Initial costs

$2000 – $5000 – depending on the model and size of the system.

Years before item pays for itself

5 to 8 years.

More information

• RECs – Renewable Energy Certificates (see below) are also available for Solar Hot Water systems
• More information about Western Australian Solar Water Heater Subsidy

Federal Government

Home Insulation Program

Rebate

Up to $1200.

How to apply

Obtain 2 independent quotes from an approved installer. Find an installer.

Complete and submit the work order form which the installer will present to the household.

More information

Initial costs

$0.50 -$2.25 a square foot.

More information

Yearly savings

Around $200 a year.

More information

http://environment.gov.au/energyefficiency/insulation/index.html

Free home assessment

Cost

Free.

How to apply

An expert will visit your home and advise what action you can take. You can also get an interest free ‘Green Loan’ to help you make positive changes inside and outside your home.

More information

http://www.livinggreener.gov.au/take-action/save-energy/get-a-home-assessment

Green loan

Funding

$10,000 interest free from 4 years.

How to apply

Contact the green loans program for an assessment.

Green start

Funding

• Free home energy and water assessment
• Free supply and installation of energy and water efficiency products such as tap aerators, pipe insulation, efficient light bulbs, low-flow showerheads, draught proofing, seals for fridges, doors and windows, grey water hoses and compost bins. This will be based on the personalised home assessment and the individual needs of the household.
• Personalised help to access local, state, territory and Australian Government energy and water efficiency rebates and programs, such as the Home Insulation Program
• Advocacy and support to help householders deal with landlords, real estate agencies and tradespeople to implement energy and water efficiency measures

How to apply

Contact the Department of the environment, water, heritage and the arts.

Who is eligible?

People who receive a payment that entitles them to a Pension Concession Card or Health Care Card, and that payment is paid at the maximum rate.

More information

http://www.environment.gov.au/sustainability/greenstart/index.html

RECs – Renewable Energy Certificates for PVs (solar photovoltaic panels)

Initial costs

$10,000 – depending on the model and size of the system.

Rebate

40% will be taken off the initial cost of the item (depending on the model and size of the system).

How to apply

Contact and select a PV dealer.

The agent will determine if you are eligible.

Yearly savings

You will be able to generate your own electricity, reducing your electricity bill (by up to 40% depending on REC prices and the size of your system), plus your retailer will pay you for the excess electricity that you generate.

More information

• RECs are also available for Solar Hot Water systems.
• Find out more about RECs

What do you think?

• Now that you know how to apply for Government funding will you?
• Let us know what you think or maybe you can tell us a positive/negative experience you have had with purchasing your energy efficient household items.
• What savings have you had?

What do you think?

• Do you have an energy saving song title suggestion?
• Do you think the campaign will work?
• Will it get people to use less power?

“Is it better to use an incandescent light bulb in rooms, such as bathrooms and closets, where your stay is less than the start up time of an energy efficient bulb?”

“Does turning an energy efficient bulb on require more energy than turning on an incandescent light bulb?”

We hope that the following facts can resolve these questions.

Fact #1: Turning a light bulb on and off uses less energy than leaving it on

The energy used by a bulb is directly proportional to the amount of time it is switched on. Leaving a light on will use more energy than turning it off. So even if you are leaving/entering a room for more than a few minutes be sure to ‘Power Down’.

Note: Some efficient bulbs such as compact fluorescent lamps can take a few moments to reach full light output and frequent switching of these bulbs can shorten their expected life.

Fact #2 Turning on a compact fluorescent lamp can be instant

CFLs are getting better with their start up times, with some now being marketed as “instant on” lights. The time lag is not noticeable however, they can take up to 30 seconds to reach 80 percent of their full brightness. While they can last up to 15 times longer than standard globes, this significantly diminishes if the lights are under constant on-off cycling.

LED lights are perfect for use in bathrooms and closets – they light up quickly, achieving full brightness in microseconds, and are ideal for frequent on-off cycling.

LED lights are certainly the best option, having anywhere from 35,000 to 50,000 hours of useful life and also being unaffected by constant on-off cycling. Alternately, normal incandescent light globes would provide the same service as LED lights as far as start up is concerned. However, only last around 1,000 to 2,000 hours.

Do you have a question?

If you have more questions please let us know.

More information

How to recycle compact fluorescent lighting

Air Conditioning:  set air conditioners to 24 degrees Celsius or above. Each degree higher can save you around 10% on your cooling costs. Evaporative coolers produce lower greenhouse gas emissions refrigerative systems, while ceiling fans have the lowest emissions of all. You can save 291kg CO2-e by switching to a higher star rated model.

Switch off:  turn off appliances, such as computers and televisions, at the wall. Standby power can account for as much as 10% of your electricity bill. Also, turning off your second fridge can save you $158 a year.

Water heaters:  Now that it’s summer, set your thermostat to 60 degrees Celsius. It will still provide a hot shower while saving you money.

Wash on cold:  Washing clothes on the cold cycle will save you money on your heating costs.

Use major appliances at bed-time:  Avoid switching on washing machines, dishwashers and dryers between 4pm and 9pm. This will help reduce the strain on the electricity grid.

Restrict pool pump use:  Unless your are swimming, avoid running your pool pump between 4pm and 9pm. Use a timer to restrict the hours of operation – you’ll save 245kg of CO2-e for each hour not used each year.

Close windows and doors:  during the day, prevent the heat of the sun entering your home by closing external windows and doors and drawing curtains and blinds. In the evening, open them all to the sea breeze.

what do you think

We are encouraging the community to share their handy hints on conserving energy, so we would love to hear from you.

More information

Check out the great power saving products from: fridges to washing machines, air conditioners and even dishwashers – available from Rick Hart.

Western Power’s electricity network in WA is under increasing pressure as demand for energy gets greater. In particular, demand is at its highest during late summer between 4pm and 9pm. This is when families return home from school or work and start their daily routines of cooling the home, cooking, washing, TV viewing and showering.

It costs Western Power billions of dollars each year to maintain and develop the network so that we can ensure adequate electricity supply during this peak period. This cost is ultimately passed onto consumers, resulting in higher electricity bills.

The environmental cost is significant too, as the majority of power in WA comes from burning coal. In fact, last year, the average WA household created 28 tonnes of greenhouse gases through energy use.

If we all Power Down 4-9pm, we can not only reduce the burden on the electricity network and save money on our electricity bills, but also help reduce the impact on the environment.