BREAZE

In Ballarat’s temperate climate it doesn’t have to cost more to stay warm. You can keep the cold at bay and cut household energy use with some simple actions.

Solar hot water and heat pumps works well in Ballarat {contrary to what you might think!} and they are a very cost effective choice especially if your current system is electric.

Replacing an electric hot water service with solar, with electric back up can reduce your household energy use by 25 – 30%. Even replacing a gas hot water service with a solar system will significantly cut emissions for the typical household.

The BREAZE website {see Action Groups – Retro-renewables page} has more information on solar hot water.  If solar is not suitable for your house, heat pumps are an energy effcient alternative.

How you use your appliances can greatly afect how much energy you use.

Read more to see the video, and for some ideas about effient use.

The simplest way to tap into renewable energy is to buy green power or electricity generated by renewable sources {Green Electricity Watch website lists them for Victoria}. This gives up to date costs and a quality assessment of the different products offered by electricity retailers.

When you have done all you can to reduce your household’s energy use, and you want to take this a step further you might want to produce your own renewable energy, such as solar electricity you could invest in a domestic renewable energy system and Sustainability Victoria has resources explaining energy power systems and BREAZE and other climate action groups have bulk buy schemes for solar photovoltaic systems for homes.
http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/Renewable_Energy_Power.pdf

Read more to see the video, and find information about Rebates.

Generally fresh, locally produced food has a lower associated energy cost because it travels less distance or fewer Food Miles. This is the distance the food has travelled from the farm to its point of sale. A mango bought in Ballarat will have travelled many more food miles, used more energy and contributed more greenhouse gases than an apple sourced from Bacchus Marsh.

Even better, grow your own! You know that it is fresh, local and if you choose, chemical free.

Read more to see the video, find out about some Ballarat local food, and the wisdom of recycling.

There are so many ways you can reduce emissions at home, such as growing your own food, reducing your energy use and retrofitting your home for energy efficiency.

If you are renting, the Victorian Green Renters’ Guide, produced by Environment Victoria has its very useful for renters and home owners – it provides a wealth of practical and low cost suggestions for reducing resource use and cost while improving the comfort and liveability of your home and is just as useful if you buying or own your home.