Our climate is changing.

Earth's climate has changed over the last century and there is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed in the last 50 years is due to human activities.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which advises the United Nations, is responsible for providing the international community with authoritative advice on scientific, technical and economic issues relating to climate change. The IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report (2007) concluded that climate change has accelerated in recent decades, and that most of the warming over the past 50 years is attributable to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.

Moreover, scientists predict that temperatures will continue to rise in the 21st century. Climate change has the potential to adversely affect our environment, our communities and our economy unless we take action now - to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
(Extract from http://www.greenhouse.vic.gov.au)

We all need to take action to reduce to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Becoming more energy efficient and using renewable energy such as solar power are important steps. EcoSmart Electricians are there to assist you in making change.

More Info

Australian Bureau of Metrology
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/change/

Victorian Government
http://www.greenhouse.vic.gov.au/

Most of the energy we use - from heating and lighting to transport, industry and communications - relies on burning fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal. This accounts for the majority of Australia’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.

If we want to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, we must focus on the amount of energy we use. Unless we act now to cut our emissions, our climate will continue to change.
                                                              
Energy efficiency is a cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as it also helps households, businesses and governments save money on energy bills. Energy efficiency improvements can result in cost savings of 20 to 50%.
(Extract from http://www.greenhouse.vic.gov.au)

Energy
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/inventory/index.html

Residential
Energy in the residential sector is mainly used for space heating and cooling, and water heating.
Energy use in the residential sector is predicted to grow by 50% over the next 25 years. This is driven by the trend of increased appliance use and appliances which use 'standby' power. While appliances only account for 10-15% of energy consumed in Australian homes, they generate 40% of household greenhouse pollution as most appliances use electricity rather than gas.
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/gwci/households.html

Commercial
Energy in the commercial sector is mainly used for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting and water heating. Energy consumption is growing more rapidly in the commercial sector than any other sector with a growth rate of 3.7% per annum. Electricity is the dominant energy source used in the commercial sector.

Industrial
Energy consumption in the industrial sector is growing by approximately 1.2% per annum, and is projected to increase by over 36% in the next 25 years. Natural gas is the dominant energy source used in industrial sector. Industrial energy use is dominated by the manufacturing sector and the subsectors of metal products, petrochemicals, and wood and paper.
(Extracted from http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au)

There are many ways we can improve energy efficiency in our households, businesses and government. Reducing the amount of energy we use will mean lower greenhouse emissions, lower energy costs and reduced exposure to the impacts of climate change.

Saving energy is one of the most simple and cost-effective ways that we can cut greenhouse emissions in the short term. Where the avoided costs of energy quickly exceed the up-front costs of energy efficiency, such improvements make good economic sense. The period of time required to recoup the initial investment – known as the 'payback period', is critical in evaluating the benefit of energy efficiency initiatives.

In many cases, we can save energy just by changing our behaviour, and making well-informed choices when buying appliances or equipment. In other areas, relatively modest up-front investments will deliver ongoing savings.

Understanding the benefits

Environmental
Saving energy is one of the most effective ways we can cut greenhouse emissions. Reducing our use of electricity through conservation and efficiency directly reduces greenhouse emissions from coal and gas fired electricity generation. 

Save Money
Saving energy is about saving money – energy efficiency is about doing more with less. As energy prices start to increase energy efficiency plays a significant role in reducing or avoiding increased costs.

What you can do

Energy saving tips

Top actions I can take now

1. Switch off lights, appliances and equipment when they're not needed.
2. Install energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps.
3. Divert garden and food wastes from landfill to composting (either at home or through a Council scheme).
4. Make your home more comfortable by insulating draught-sealing and shading windows in summer.
5. Manage home heating and cooling by setting thermostats appropriately - a couple of degrees up in summer and a couple of degrees down in winter.
6. Cut hot water usage by installing a water-efficient showerhead, taking shorter showers and using cold water clothes washing.
7. Switch off your second fridge except when it's really needed.
8. Switch to low greenhouse impact transport options like bicycle or public transport - or use phone or email.
9. Minimise waste of packaging and materials - refuse, reduce, re-use, recycle.
10. Use solar power - dry your clothes on the clothes line outside, not in a dryer.

Good decisions I can make in the future

• When buying a car, buy a fuel-efficient one. Alternatively, consider buying a transport pass or bicycle.
• When building, renovating, renting or buying a home, aim for high energy-efficiency and install energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
• When replacing an electric hot water service install a high efficiency gas or solar unit.
• Buy energy-efficient appliances with low standby power usage.
• When choosing a home location, consider the time and cost of travel from there to work, school, shops and leisure activities.

(Extract from http://www.greenhouse.gov.au)
http://www.saveenergy.vic.gov.au/

How an EcoSmart Electrician can help

Call us on 1300 300 031 to learn how.