What you can do now
Economic and simple changes that you can make to the way you use your hot water, washing machine, dryer and dishwasher to save both energy and water.
Try keeping clean with these actions
For each action you have or will implement in your home, collect it by adding it to the My Actions panel (right), to see the difference you can achieve.
Action:
Wash your clothes in cold water
Don't use hot water when cold water will do the job. Washing clothes in cold water not only cuts your energy costs but your greenhouse gas emissions. Cold water washing powders and detergents are widely available.
You'll save up to 2,600 balloons and $20 each year if you switch to a cold wash every time.
Action:
Keep showers short
By shaving a few minutes off your time in the shower, you can take dollars off your energy bill and help the environment.
Keep your shower under four minutes and you'll save up to 2,300 balloons and $18 a year per person.
What else you can do
Wait for a full load
It doesn't matter if you're washing a few socks or a full load, you'll use almost the same amount of greenhouse gas. So it's worth running the washer or dryer only when there's a full load. The same applies to the dishwasher.
Use the economy cycle
When you can't load up the dishwasher or washing machine to the full capacity, use the economy cycle to save water and electricity.
Fit a three star or AAA showerhead
Install a low flow showerhead or a flow restrictor to an existing showerhead to keep your hot water usage under control. Showering makes up over 30 percent of hot water usage in the home.
Fit a 3 star or AAA shower head. You can get a government rebate when you purchase a water efficient showerhead.
Fix dripping taps
Stop that hot tap dripping and you'll save your greenhouse gas emissions.
Hang clothes out
Putting a load of clothes in a dryer generates a lot of greenhouse gas. If you do have to use your dryer, try to dry the clothes off first by using the spin cycle on your washer or hanging them on a rack.
Hang your clothes out to dry on the line instead.
Put the plug in the sink
Don't waste hot water when you're rinsing dishes. Put the plug in the sink and you'll use far less water and therefore less energy. Often the job can be done by scraping or rinsing with cold water.
My Actions
Select an action and see how much green house gas you will save this year.
YOU SAVED:
