Top things to do this Earth Hour

Switching off your lighting for Earth Hour is a great way to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, but imagine the difference we could make by doing the following as well!

1. Get your electricity from GreenPower

Taking up GreenPower is the simplest and most effective action you can take to reduce your household greenhouse emissions - by up to 70%.

Community Power, representing the Cities of Darebin and Moreland, is pleased to announce Origin as the new green energy partner. Support your community and the environment by switching to one of Origin's GreenPower promotions endorsed by Community Power. For more information call Origin direct on the dedicated Community Power hotline 1300 138 149.


2. Install or top up your insulation

Installing insulation is one of the single most effective things you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your home. It can save up to 55% of your heating and cooling energy use and 2.2 tonnes of greenhouse gas every year!

Rebates are currently available for older homes that have never had any ceiling insulation. To check if you are eligible visit the Sustainability Victoria Website (under programs) www.sustainability.vic.gov.au

Check out the Moreland Energy Foundation's Referral Network for contact details of local insulation installers.
click here

If you are renting, talk to your landlord about the issue and let them know about the rebate.

3. Install a low flow showerhead
If you haven't yet got around to it, make Earth Hour the incentive you need to swap over your old shower head for a new water efficient one.

Installing a water efficient showerhead not only saves thousands of litres of water, it also reduces the amount of energy needed to heat the water. It's hard to believe that the energy saved over a year could run a 60 watt light bulb continuously for almost eighteen months!*

Most water companies are now offering a free showerhead exchange program.
Click here

Or contact MEFL on 9385 8585 to find out when we are holding another showerhead swap event.

4. Switch to energy efficient lighting

Energy efficient lighting has taken off over the last few years and there is now a more efficient alternative for almost any light you can think of.
Compact fluorescent lights are a great replacement for incandescent globes as they use 80% less energy and last 4-5 times as long. They are now available in many different shapes and sizes including dimmable models. Visit: http://www.environmentshop.com.au/index.asp

If you have a house full of halogen downlights (big energy users!) don't despair. There are a range of products that look like down lights but don't have the high energy use such as the Megaman compact fluorescent downlight or the Hotbeam LED downlight. Alternatively switch of the downlights you don't need and use a lamp instead.

For more information about lighting options contact MEFL on 9385 8585.


5. Support the Friends of Aileu solar lighting project in East Timor.

If the average home turned off all their lights for an extra hour every day, you could save up to $100 a year. So why not consider donating the savings to bringing light to the people of East Timor via the Friends of Aileu solar lighting project, in association with the the Alternative Energy Association. This project is helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing the diesel-fired electric power generators currently used.

To find out more click here. Tax-deductible donations can be made.

Alternatively buy an energy efficient light globe from a Moreland City Council Customer Service Centre in Coburg, Brunswick or Glenroy. Money raised will also go to support the Friends of Aileu solar lighting project.


* Source for figure: www.yvw.com.au