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Tips and hints:

We can all do something to help take the burden off of our environment. Every time we turn on a light, or take a shower, or drive a car, or buy a product, we produce some sort of impact on the environment. How we live dictates just how much impact we have. Here are some simple hints that will not only help you do your bit to help the planet, but they will also help you save money and give you more control over the home environment. People power is where it is at!

See below for:
Water Saving Tips for the Home and Garden
Energy Saving Tips for the Home:
Where to get Solar Energy Supplies in FNQ:

Water Saving Tips for the Home and Garden

Bathroom

Shower Heads:
Standard shower heads use an average 50 kilolitres (50,000 litres) of water per household per year (an average of 20-30 litres per minute)

  • AAA rated shower heads can save more then half of the water used by an average household for showering (AAA shower heads use 9 litres per minute) - new high efficiency shower roses still deliver high quality showers.
  • Flow restrictors, fitted to the shower connection are a low cost water efficient alternative to normal shower heads

    • Taps:
  • Flow regulators, such as aerators, fitted to the tap spout, can reduce flow rates by over 50%
  • Ensure dripping taps are repaired
  • Turn tap off when not in use e.g. brushing your teeth

    • Aquasmart flow regulators were kindly donated to CAFNEC and are currenty in use in Cominos House. Aquasmart is a local company based in Trinity Beach.





    Toilets:
    Standard flush toilets use on average 50 kilolitres of water per household per year.

  • Installing a 6/3 litre dual flush toilet can reduce the amount of water used in the toilet by up to 67%
  • Use of composting toilets, or vermiculture (worm based) systems for treating human waste, greatly reduces the amount of water used

    • Kitchen

    Dishwashing:
    Hand washing dishes can use more water than washing by machine. However there are energy and material costs associated with making and disposing of dishwashers.
  • Dishwashers have improved significantly over the years in terms of water consumption. Efficient machines use 18 litres or less per wash - make sure you ask for the water efficiency rating when purchasing new appliances.
  • Wash dishes in the sink only when you have a load to do - use old water to wash recyclables. See grey water section below.

    • Laundry

    Washing Machines

    A top loading washing machine uses on average 150 litres per wash, whilst a front loader uses only 100 litres or less. Over a year the front loader can save 15,000 litres of water per household , per year

  • Further savings can be made in a front loader by ensuring the machine is full before use, and the water level control and suds-saver are used appropriately
    • Outdoors

    Garden
  • Watering outdoors in the morning or evening, and avoiding watering when the sun and wind are strong, greatly reduces the amount of water used
  • Replace lawns by using low water (xerophytic) using plants
  • Mulch your garden regularly to improve moisture retention

    • Car Washing
  • Washing cars on the lawn allows the runoff to be used productively and prevents detergents from entering storm water drains
  • Trigger operated hose nozzles permit water to be applied only when required
  • Cleaning cloths are now available which eliminate the need for detergents, reducing pollution in the garden and waterways

    • Hosing Down
  • Brooms can be used around the house. If necessary use a high pressure low flow water jet for more efficient hosing

    • Swimming Pools
  • Evaporation in hot dry areas can be significant . Pool covers can reduce evaporation by 80%

    • Grey Water Use
  • There are a number of grey water systems on the market. These collect and reuse water from the bath, hand basin, shower, laundry, and kitchen for use in the garden

    • Information in this leaflet has been derived from White. S, (ed) (1998) Research Report No. 86 Wise Water Management (A demand Management Manual for Water Utilities), NSW Dept of Land and Water Conservation.

    Energy Saving Tips for the Home:


    Easy ways to save greenhouse gases


    Many Australians are already reducing the impacts of climate change in their own households
    There are some simple actions to reduce greenhouse gases that are easy, common sense and will save money
    Reducing energy use in the home, using the car less and reducing consumption and waste are the three main actions needed for householders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

    If you:
    • Only heat or cool rooms you are using
    • Don’t overheat or overcool your house - use methods to stop getting into your house rather than resorting to air conditioners first. Use insulation with proper ventilation;
    • roof coating products can help keep heat out of the house, locate windows appropriately when building ;
    • plant shade trees around your house;
    • use ceiling fans
    • Switch off your second fridge - one third of Australian homes have at least 2 fridges!
    • Make sure your fridge is set at the appropriate temperature, the seals are in good condition. If your fridge runs constantly there is probably something wrong with the compressor and it is using more power than it should. Old fridges can generate 1.5 tonnes of greenhouse gas each year! Make sure you fridge is not next to your stove and has ventilation to allow motor heat to escape.
    • Install compact fluorescent globes in your house - they last a lot longer and use much less power. New models come in a wide range of sizes;
    • turn off lights when you leave the room (including fluorescents);
    • use appropriate lighting depending on your need - eg use a desk lamp to light a specific work area. Install a skylight (some come with adjustable shades so they can be used to keep heat out in summer) Install water-efficient showerheads, take shorter showers and don’t over fill the bath
    • Turn down the hot water temperature on your hot water heat - they are often set too high be default
    • Turn off appliances rather than put them on stand-by mode where possible. Wash your clothes in cold water
    • Install a solar hot water heater - gas in a second best option
    • Use your TV wisely - a TV run for 3 hours a day generates 1000 kg of greenhouse gases per year
    • Turn off your computer monitor when leaving the room - monitors use most of the energy used to run a computer
    • Don’t drive when you can walk, ride or use public transport
    • Start a compost bin or worm farm
    • Buy Galaxy Award, high energy efficient appliances. Look for appliances that have high energy and water efficiency ratings. Fridges are heavy users of electricity - buy an efficient one and save!

    You will:
    • Save money on your energy bills
    • Reduce greenhouse gases
    • Reduce pollution

    You will also:

    • Look after your children and their children
    • Look after your health
    • Look after your community

    Where to get Solar Energy Supplies in FNQ:


    Edwards Energy / Edwards Hot Water
    Tel: 4092 4555
    Fax: 4092 3837
    Mobile: 0409 559 597
    Address: 340 Byrnes St, Mareeba, Qld 4880
    Main contact person: Henry
    Brief description: Solar hot water systems


    NQ Solar Supplies
    Fax: 4035 3068
    Mobile: 0419 775 124
    Web address: www.solarsupplies.com.au
    Address: 83 Buchan St, Cairns
    Main contact person: Marcus Axton
    Brief description: Solar panels, wind turbines and micro hydro supply and installation
    Disabled Access: yes


    Outback Solar & Wind
    Tel: 4092 1659
    Fax: 4092 7230
    Address: 284 Byrnes St, Mareeba, Qld 4880
    Main contact person: Nathan DeLai
    Brief description: Solar power panels, solar batteries, wind chargers, wind generators, inverters, solar electric fences, solar and wind-up radios.


    Planetary Power
    Tel: 1 800 000 765
    Fax: 4096 2558
    Mobile: 0419 025 475
    Web address: www.planetarypower.com.au
    Postal Address: PO Box 765, Atherton, Qld 4883
    Main contact person: Nic Speed, Max Enfield
    Brief description: Design, supply, installation and maintenance of renewable energy systems,
    Including grid connected solar power. Micro-hydro specialists. Objectives: To help create a better world through reliable, cost effective and user-friendly small scale renewable energy systems.


    Solar Energy Equipment
    Tel: 4032 2994
    Fax: 4053 5827
    Mobile: 0417 762 343
    Web address: www.solarenergy.com.au
    Address: Shop 1, ‘The Solar Centre’, 107 Anderson St, Manunda, Cairns, Qld 4870
    Main contact person: Al Bruce
    Brief description: Solar hot water systems and other products.


    Solar Works
    Tel: 4096 5546
    Fax: 4095 1146
    Mobile: 0408 541 679
    Web address: www.solarworks.com.au
    Address: 24 Main St, Atherton Qld 4883
    Main contact person: Nick Chapman
    Brief description: 20 years experience in alternative energy. Continual support for customers. Installs solar panels, wind generators, micro-hydro systems, full range of energy efficient fridges. Family-owned business.