Energy efficiency

Change how you use energy in your home, business and school. Simply switching appliances off at the wall or sealing gaps around doors and windows is a great start. When you can, upgrade to energy-efficient electric appliances. Your small actions can make a difference.

Be part of the solution

Our climate in the ACT means we use a lot of energy for heating and cooling. If we all use energy more efficiently, we’ll:

  • reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • reduce our costs while being comfortable inside our homes.

Where to start

First, understand where energy is being used in your home, workplace or school. You can get advice from:

Compare your winter energy costs to your summer costs to get a rough idea of how much you’re spending on heating. Use this as a baseline to see the impact of any energy efficiency changes you make.

Smart meters are now installed in new homes and buildings. These digital electricity meters record how much electricity you use – and at what times – in real time. They’re a great way to assess your energy use and may help you save money. Talk to your energy provider about upgrading to a smart meter.

Actions for households

Energy is a large household expense.

One of the best ways to save money lies with your choice of energy plan:

  • Call your energy retailer to check if you’re receiving the best rate.
  • Shop around to see what other retailers are offering. You may be able to get a cheaper deal with another electricity retailer – compare pricing on Energy Made Easy.

Take small steps to be more energy efficient at home with:

When you upgrade or replace your appliances, switch from gas to all-electric appliances and consider solar.

You can also:

Understand buying, building or renovating a sustainable home.

If you are building or renovating, there are energy efficiency standards to meet. You’ll need a licensed building assessor to get an energy star rating. Sellers and property owners must also provide an energy rating.

Actions for rental and strata properties

Tenants and property owners can also reduce costs by taking similar steps. Many low-cost improvements may also be tax deductable for property owners.

For strata properties, like apartments and townhouses, it’s now easier to install all types of items to make your property more sustainable. This includes solar panels, electric charging stations and rainwater tanks. Owner corporations cannot refuse these types of sustainability requests. Find out more about how new unit titles legislation is making it simpler to install energy- and water-saving devices.

Actions for business

Switch to more energy efficient options and get technical advice and a rebate of up to $10,000 through the Sustainable Business Program.

If you’re eligible, you can use the rebate to install water- and energy-efficient technologies, including:

  • lighting
  • appliances
  • heating and cooling
  • refrigeration
  • hot water
  • insulation
  • toilets and tapware.

As a business, you can make small changes like:

  • zoning your heating to areas in use
  • upgrading your lighting
  • installing energy-efficient appliances
  • turning lights off when not in use
  • using standby power controllers.

Did you know?

An energy efficient lighting upgrade can save you up to 60% on business lighting energy bills. Try our lighting efficiency webtool.

Actions for schools

All ACT public schools are working towards zero emissions by 2040. Get advice, lesson plans and resources from the Sustainable Schools Program.

At your school:

  • let everyone know your school is aiming to reduce energy consumption
  • turn off lights, computers, printers and interactive white boards when not in use
  • promote energy-saving measures at assemblies, in school newsletters and social media
  • put up posters to encourage everyone to keep the door closed
  • nominate energy monitors and reward them for their efforts
  • organise competitions and present energy awards at assemblies
  • download resources mapped to the curriculum.
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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.