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How can I reduce my impact on the earth in terms of greenhouse gases? What measures can I take inside the home to reduce electricity consumption?

• Global warming is due to the burning of fossil fuels to create energy. Burning these fuels releases green-house gases, mainly carbon dioxide.
• When designing a house with energy-efficient features, achieve good air flow by placing windows in a southerly direction and by insulation.
• Convert part of your electrical system to a more sustainable alternative energy source (e.g. solar, wind or hydro power).
• In urban areas solar power can easily be used for water-heating purposes. As the demand for this product increases the price should decrease.
• Buy appliances that are energy-efficient with a high Energy Rating Scheme (ERS), as they emit less green house gases.

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Easy steps for living a greener life

Michael Grosvenor

17 December 2009. Posted by WellBeing Natural Health & Living News

Green powering your home

You can reduce your reliance on traditional forms of electrical energy supplied from the main grid if you convert all or part of your electrical system to a more sustainable alternative energy source. It’s now possible to power your home from three such sources: 

• Solar power. Energy from the sun is converted through solar panels into electrical energy.
• Wind power. Energy from the wind propels the blades on a wind turbine to create energy within a generator that, in turn, creates electrical energy.
• Hydro power. Water flow produces enough force within a generator to create electrical output.  

Of the three sources, the most easily adapted in urban areas has been solar power, especially for your water-heating needs. Solar panels are easily placed on the roof of your house or within new apartment complexes. In rural areas, especially on farms, many people are creating their own cheaper electrical power by connecting to smaller wind and hydro power generators.

Sun, wind and water power are collectively known as green power sources, which many energy suppliers across the country now offer as a slightly more expensive yet sustainable option to households in urban and rural areas. Suppliers are buying more of their electricity from these green power sources and passing it on to you through the normal city or town electricity grid system. Go to the Australian Government’s Green Power website www.greeenpower.com.au to select a company that can use your money to increase the component of green power energy supplied to homes. It’s expected that this option will become cheaper when demand for it increases.

Energy efficiency inside your home

There’s no need to despair if your house is badly designed, poorly insulated and there’s no chance of converting to a green power source. You can substantially reduce your electrical use by ensuring your appliances are manufactured to be energy-efficient.

You have no doubt come across the Australian Appliance Energy Rating Scheme (ERS) when buying electrical whitegoods. The ERS is now a mandatory labelling system that allows you to better gauge the energy efficiency of the product you are buying. The higher the number of stars on the label, the less electricity it uses compared with other similar products. The Australian Greenhouse Office also states that the higher the star rating, the lower the greenhouse gases emitted.

Once you have outfitted your home with appliances that reduce your overall use of electrical energy, you'll then need to look at how you can become a high-rating energy consumer.