“A well-insulated home holds the heat much more efficiently, meaning it will take less energy to keep warm. It’s one of the smartest ways to save money and be more sustainable,” Aston says.

“Utilising the sun to warm the home is one of the most effective passive heating options around, and turn off light switches to reduce artificial lighting during the day. Make sure you’ve switched over to energy efficient light bulbs,” she adds.

Draft-proofing doors and windows can make a big difference by keeping a house warm or cool depending on the season, and refrain from raising or lowering the temperature setting on your reverse cycle system by even one or two degrees. This can save significant dollars on your energy bill each year, Aston says.

Next, check your appliances. Next time you upgrade, select those with high energy-efficiency ratings. “You could also set appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and dryers to run during off-peak periods, which adds up over the course of the year. Better still, hang your clothes on the line when the sun is out,” Aston says.

Small steps

Other steps include reducing food waste in the kitchen, composting and using flow-controlled aerators for taps – these are inexpensive and can reduce water flow by 50 per cent.

While solar panels are great if you’re home during the day, the feed-in tariffs have been reduced over recent years. “Solar panels are great for making the home more sustainable, but if the homeowner is after a monetary return on the panels, they should do their homework to avoid disappointment,” Aston points out.

Switching to a renewable energy retailer is another piece of the puzzle. Red Energy is owned by Snowy Hydro, which manages and maintains the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric scheme in NSW. Snowy Hydro first started generating hydroelectricity in 1955 and continues to lead the way with its nation building renewable energy project Snowy 2.0.

If you’re unsure where to start when switching energy providers, a great place to look for comparisons on service, value and commitment to environmental sustainability is Canstar, she says.

“Some retailers may give the impression that they’re Australian-owned, but they’re not. So, it can help to do some research, or ask questions about a retailer’s ownership and if it has a call centre, where its consultants are based.

Red Energy is 100% Australian, owned by Snowy Hydro. Speak to an Australian based consultant today on 131 806.