2. Ensure your dryer isn’t overloaded. Air needs to circulate easily between the clothes in order for drying to be most effective.

3. Open a window when using the dryer. A closed up laundry gets very humid and that humid air just gets sucked into the dryer; decreasing its effectiveness.

4. Heavier items should be dried separately to light weight clothes.

5. Many modern clothes dryers have a cool-down cycle which allows the clothes to complete drying with the remaining heat in the dryer

6. Ensure you use the fastest spin cycle possible in your washing machine – the wetter the clothes, the longer they’ll take to dry.

7. If your dryer is used a great deal, try and co-ordinate the timing so that loads quickly follow each other to take advantage of residual heat.

• Check your ceiling and walls have insulation – install or repair as required.

• Seal around door jambs and windows to reduce air leaks and draughts

• Incorporate passive solar design in your home. Capture the energy from the winter sun and avoid capturing the suns energy in summer.  Use cross-flow ventilation on summer nights to let trapped hot air out.

• Can you use a fan instead of the air conditioner? Fans are far more economical.

• If using the air conditioner for cooling, set the thermostat for 25 degrees or higher. Every degree higher will save you up to another 10% in cooling costs

• When heating set the thermostat to 20 degrees or lower, every degree lower can save another 5-10% in heating costs

• Wear clothing that is most appropriate for temperature

• Buy energy star appliances such as washing machines, dish washers, ovens, fridges etc. The more stars the more efficient.

• Wait till a full load is to be put on before using appliances such as washing machines and dish washers.

• Use the clothes line to dry clothes whenever possible. Avoid using the drier when possible.

• Remove phantom loads, or standby power use by appliances. Things like televisions, computers, stereos, microwaves and fax machines all use energy when they are not operating, you can remove this drain on your power by simply switching them off at the wall. The Australian Greenhouse Office says you can save 10% on your power consumption by this alone!

• Install a solar hot water system

• Install AAA rated shower heads to lower the amount of water you use, and the hot water that needs heating.

• Lower the thermostat on your hot water system to around 50 degrees to optimise efficiency.

• Spend less time in the shower.

• Use cold water to wash your clothes.

• Insulate the hot water pipes throughout your home.

• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluros, they use 70% less energy without sacrificing any light.

• Use lighter wall colours to reflect existing light.

• Install skylights in dark areas of the home.

• Use daylight wherever possible.

• Make sure lights are positioned to maximise efficiency

Fridges & Freezers are responsible for approximately 8% of energy usage for a regular household. To become more energy efficient:

• Replace old, inefficient fridges & freezers with new, efficient units.

• Make sure you don’t buy larger than you actually need.

• Keep your fridge clean and defrost regulary.

• Work out what you want from the fridge before opening the door. Don’t leave the door open for longer than necessary.

• Locate your fridge in the coolest area of the house. Make sure the back of the fridge is well ventilated.

• Have only one fridge and one freezer or combo if possible.