Many Australians waste energy in ways that are entirely preventable. Energy expert Anne Armansin reveals five wasteful habits that can be fixed at the flick of a switch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to how we use energy, a lot of it comes down to habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We turn on the kettle in the morning, run the shower after the gym, stack the dishwasher after dinner. Hundreds of mindless buttons pushed, knobs turned and remotes clicked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in the day-to-day grind, it can be difficult to take a step back and examine this behaviour. Flicking off the light switch once you leave the room comes pretty naturally, but what about power-points? That second-hand fridge was a steal, but what\u2019s its Energy Star rating?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research from Origin Energy\u2019s third annual Good Energy Report<\/em> (GER III) shows many Australians waste more energy than we may realise. And even if that doesn\u2019t come as a shock to you, the reasons why \u2013 and how easy they are to fix \u2013 might just give you some pause for thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve had \u2018buy a new fridge\u2019 on your to-do list for the past few years, independent energy consultant Anne Armansin wants you to stop putting it off. She says one of the biggest ways consumers waste energy is by not understanding the energy value of appliances they\u2019re using. Newer fridge models, for example, can be up to 50 per cent more efficient than ones made 10 to 15 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And even when we do get a new appliance, we find it difficult to say goodbye. \u201cMany of us, when we buy a new fridge, stick the old one in the garage and fill it with drinks or watermelons,\u201d she says. \u201cWe can be wasting power by not getting rid of that old inefficient appliance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Running your dishwasher, dryer and washing machine at full capacity is something Armansin feels passionate about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe most energy-efficient way to use [your dishwasher or washing machine] is to wash full loads,\u201d she says. Between loads every few days, run a rinse cycle if necessary. \u201cThat won’t use very much water, but it will stop the machine from smelling bad every time you open the door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nNot letting go of old appliances<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Neglecting to fill the load<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Forgetting about standby mode<\/h3>\n\n\n\n