Ideas at home

Melbourne's water situation is serious. We all need to save water, even when the weather is cooler. Our target is 155 litres per person per day.

Help meet Target 155: install a free water-efficient showerhead; keep your showers to under 4 minutes; don't use drinking water on the garden; and follow Stage 3a water restrictions

To help combat climate change and encourage Victorians to undertake energy saving actions, the Victorian Government has launched the Energy Saver Incentive. The Energy Saver Incentive provides discounts and special offers on selected products through participating businesses to help save energy at home.

Saving energy at home is easy and also saves you money. Simple, everyday actions such as switching appliances off at the wall and washing clothes in cold water can reduce your energy bills and your impact on climate change. You have the power to make a difference!

Worm farms turn your organic kitchen scraps into fantastic fertilisers for your garden. Maintaining your worm farm is easy and you'll see the benefits in how much less rubbish you are putting in your bin and how much better your garden is looking.

Buy a washing machine with at least 3.5 star energy rating and a dryer with at least 2 stars. Washers are also rated for water efficiency - go for at least 4 stars. Every extra star rating can cut 25% off the lifetime running costs of washers and 15% off dryers.

There are lots of ways to travel sustainably, why not walk or cycle when you can? It is simple, healthy and flexible. Or take public transport to save money on fuel, skip parking fees and avoid the stress of driving in peak-hour. Joining a car pool to cut fuel costs and personal greenhouse gas emissions.

The solar hot water rebate is available to Victorians in regional and metropolitan areas. Not only will your solar hot water systems reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it can save up to 75% on your hot water bill. With savings like this, your solar hot water system won't take long to pay for itself.

Victorians use around 1 billion plastic checkout bags each year. Taking your own bag when you go shopping and returning plastic bags to the supermarket for recycling will reduce the number of plastic bags that end up as litter, polluting our waterways and harming wildlife.

Mulch is a layer of material such as straw, gravel or wood chips spread on your garden bed. Mulching conserves water, reducing the need for watering, and discourages weeds. There are different types of mulch, but using organic mulch will provide extra nutrients to the soil as the mulch breaks down.

Oil is a valuable resource, but used oil can be a toxic pollutant. Dispose of your used oil safely at a motor oil collection point and it will be cleaned and reused. You'll be conserving a valuable resource and protexting the environment.

If you don't have ceiling insulation you could be eligible for a rebate. Insulation keeps your house warmer in winter and cooler in summer - plus, it will save you money on energy bills. The rebate is available as a point-of-sale discount at participating suppliers and installers.

An energy-efficient heating system will cost less to run and produce less greenhouse gas emissions. Look for the energy star rating on central heating systems and reverse cycle air conditioners - the higher the rating, the more efficient the system is. Go for 4 to 6 stars if you can.

GreenPower is renewable energy sourced from the sun, wind, water and waste. By choosing to run your home on 100% GreenPower you can lower your greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%. Purchase accredited GreenPower from your electricity supplier.

Accredited green plumbers provide expert service and advice on water and energy efficient applicances and installations. The Master Plumbers' and Mechanical Services Assoc of Australia and Sustainability Victoria provide green training for plumbers.

Switch from electric to gas hot water and you may be eligible for a rebate on the cost of installation. You'll also save money and energy once the system is installed. The rebate is available through a range of retailers and installers across Victoria.

Use the energy rating label to find the most efficient appliances. Buy a fridge with at least 4 stars and a freezer with 4.5 stars. Every extra star can save you money on running costs. Shops in the ResourceSmart Retail Program can provide instore advice on the most efficient fridge to suit your needs.

Save money and energy by switching to compact flourescent light globes (CFLs). They are 80 % more efficient and last eight times as long as regular light globes. There are a range of CFL styles, wattages and colours to choose from which are compatible with most conventional fittings.

Single flush toilets use up to 11 litres of water, while dual flush toilets use 6 or 3 litres. Newer dual flush models use only 4.5 and 3 litres. If you replace a single flush with a dual flush toilet, or replace a dual flush with a more efficient system, you'll be eligible for a rebate.

Buy a dishwasher with at least 3.5 star energy rating. Every extra star can reduce running costs by up to 30% a year - the more stars, the more you save. The most efficient dishwashers use half the water of average models, look for at least a 3.5 star water rating.

Take your computer to our nearest Byteback drop off point. Your computer will be recycled or reused instead of releasing harmful materials into the soil and air. Up to 97% of materials recovered are recycled or resused, which means less materials in landfill and less greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.

Reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep your garden healthy - with compost. Composting occurs when food and garden waste collected in a container or heap breaks down into rich soil-like material that your plants will love.

Look for models with at least a 4.5 star energy rating - every extra star can reduce running costs by 10%. The air-conditioner will run most efficiently if you set your thermostat to around 26 degrees C in summer. For every 1 degree C you increase your thermostat by, you can save around 10% on running costs.