Take action on environment in Melbourne
WANT TO TAKE ACTION NOW?Here are some suggestions to reduce energy use in your home and/or workplace that could help you save energy, money and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
HOW MUCH ENERGY IS YOUR HOME USING?
Home audits
Arrange a home visit with one of the City of Melbourne’s Energy Saver partners to identify to help you identify where you can improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Light globes and showerheads can be replaced with more efficient models at no cost to you. Draught proofing on windows and external doors is subsidised and can help to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter.
Rebates are available.
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au (Search: Energy Saver)
Power Mate loans
Want to know what your household power usage is costing you and the environment? Borrow a Power Mate from the Melbourne Library Service and find out.
The Power Mate consists of a hand-held meter which can be connected to any electronic appliance which measures the power in watts, voltage and current.
The meter can also tell you: the cost of running the appliance, how much energy the appliance used in kilowatt-hours and how many kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions it produced. This device will help individuals become more aware of their energy consumption. Just ask for a Power Mate at the front service counter.www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/MelbourneLibraryService (Search: Power Mate)
Australian Greenhouse Calculator
The Australian Greenhouse Calculator (AGC) helps you explore how your lifestyle contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. This easy to use tool takes you through each room in your home, identifying opportunities to increase energy efficiency along the way.
www.epa.vic.gov.au/AGC/home.html
SAVING ENERGY & WATER FOR FREE!
Showerhead Exchange
Exchange your old showerhead for a free water (and more energy) efficient model and save around 13,500 litres of water per person per year.
The City of Melbourne is working together with the State Government of Victoria to deliver the Showerhead Exchange Program.
You can exchange your old showerhead for a free water efficient model at East Melbourne Library and Melbourne Town Hall.
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au (Search: Showerhead Exchange)
BUT I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT BUILDING!Developing sustainable solutions for apartments
Did you know that more than 70 per cent of residents in our municipality live in high-rise apartments?
Apartment buildings face unique barriers in achieving sustainability upgrades, which until now has prevented retrofits from taking place.
The City of Melbourne has responded to the challenge with Hi-RES (Higher-density Residential Efficiency Solutions). Through this program we aim to build on our previous learnings to develop and test scalable solutions to transform our city’s apartment buildings to be more sustainable
Get involved by visiting our website.www.melbourne.vic.gov.au (Search: Developing sustainable solutions for apartments)
I ONLY RENT, WHAT CAN I DO?
Green Renters are a not-for-profit providing sustainable living advice specifically for those living in rental property.
In 2011, the Green Renters are delivering ten workshops for renters in the City of Melbourne. So sign up to their mailing list to receive advance notification.
www.greenrenters.org
PURCHASING RENEWABLE ENERGYDelivering Clean Energy Solutions
Delivering Clean Energy Solutions (DCES) is a community bulk buy program offering energy efficient, high quality and cost effective clean energy solutions for your home.
During 2011, DCES will facilitate the purchase and installation of clean energy solutions for 1,000 homes across northern metropolitanMelbourne, with the aim to save residents money and reduce greenhouse pollution.
www.dces.mefl.com.auGreen Power
Want to get renewable energy for your home but can’t afford solar panels?
Switching to GreenPower is the easiest way to significantly reduce your impact on climate change. GreenPower is a national accreditation program that sets environmental and reporting standards for renewable electricity products offered by energy retailers.
Ask your existing electricity retailer for a percentage of your power to come from GreenPower. Or check out what GreenPower products other retailers are offering and make a switch!www.greenpower.gov.auGreen Electricity WatchGreen Electricity Watch is an independent guide to green electricity products.
Compiled by Total Environment Centre, Australian Conservation Foundation and World Wide Fund for Nature (Aust), this independent survey of green electricity products will help you decide on the best solutions for your business.
The review only assesses accredited GreenPower products, and the website also provides general information on electricity and climate change, as well as energy saving tips.
www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au
BUYING EFFICIENT PRODUCTSEnergy Rating
Australia's leading guide to choosing an energy efficient appliance. You can search and compare products ranging from air-conditioners to fridges before you make that important purchase.
www.energyrating.gov.au Window Energy Rating (WERS) Scheme
WERS rates the energy impact of windows in housing anywhere in Australia. With up to 40% of a home’s energy for cooling or heating being lost or gained through windows, improving their thermal performance reduces energy costs and Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
www.wers.net
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme
Water shortages and the longer-term security of water supply are serious concerns for Australia. The WELS Scheme labels a range of products for water efficiency, helping Australian households to save water and money.
www.waterrating.gov.au
IN YOUR WORKPLACE
1200 Buildings
Are you a building owner or manager? The City of Melbourne’s 1200 Buildings program can help you to retrofit your building, saving energy and money and helping cut emissions within our municipality.
The City of Melbourne can also now help building owners obtain finance for retrofit works.
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/1200buildings
CitySwitch
The CitySwitch Green Office program is a great way for businesses to improve office energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Workshops, training, support, recognition and networking opportunities are provided by the program.
www.cityswitch.net.auINSPIRED? WANT MORE INFO?Environment Resource Centre at East Melbourne Library.
From the very basics of home energy saving and recycling to the challenging issues of global economic, social and environmental sustainability, a wealth of information can be found at East Melbourne Library.
The East Melbourne Library was opened in 2006 and adopted Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) strategies to minimise its environmental impact during its construction and over the life of the building.
Can’t get to East Melbourne? Reserve the book you are after and arrange for collection from North Melbourne Library.
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/MelbourneLibraryService (Search: Environment Resource Centre)
HOW MUCH ENERGY IS YOUR HOME USING?
Home audits
Arrange a home visit with one of the City of Melbourne’s Energy Saver partners to identify to help you identify where you can improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Light globes and showerheads can be replaced with more efficient models at no cost to you. Draught proofing on windows and external doors is subsidised and can help to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter.
Rebates are available.
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au (Search: Energy Saver)
Power Mate loans
Want to know what your household power usage is costing you and the environment? Borrow a Power Mate from the Melbourne Library Service and find out.
The Power Mate consists of a hand-held meter which can be connected to any electronic appliance which measures the power in watts, voltage and current.
The meter can also tell you: the cost of running the appliance, how much energy the appliance used in kilowatt-hours and how many kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions it produced. This device will help individuals become more aware of their energy consumption. Just ask for a Power Mate at the front service counter.www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/MelbourneLibraryService (Search: Power Mate)
Australian Greenhouse Calculator
The Australian Greenhouse Calculator (AGC) helps you explore how your lifestyle contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. This easy to use tool takes you through each room in your home, identifying opportunities to increase energy efficiency along the way.
www.epa.vic.gov.au/AGC/home.html
SAVING ENERGY & WATER FOR FREE!
Showerhead Exchange
Exchange your old showerhead for a free water (and more energy) efficient model and save around 13,500 litres of water per person per year.
The City of Melbourne is working together with the State Government of Victoria to deliver the Showerhead Exchange Program.
You can exchange your old showerhead for a free water efficient model at East Melbourne Library and Melbourne Town Hall.
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au (Search: Showerhead Exchange)
BUT I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT BUILDING!Developing sustainable solutions for apartments
Did you know that more than 70 per cent of residents in our municipality live in high-rise apartments?
Apartment buildings face unique barriers in achieving sustainability upgrades, which until now has prevented retrofits from taking place.
The City of Melbourne has responded to the challenge with Hi-RES (Higher-density Residential Efficiency Solutions). Through this program we aim to build on our previous learnings to develop and test scalable solutions to transform our city’s apartment buildings to be more sustainable
Get involved by visiting our website.www.melbourne.vic.gov.au (Search: Developing sustainable solutions for apartments)
I ONLY RENT, WHAT CAN I DO?
Green Renters are a not-for-profit providing sustainable living advice specifically for those living in rental property.
In 2011, the Green Renters are delivering ten workshops for renters in the City of Melbourne. So sign up to their mailing list to receive advance notification.
www.greenrenters.org
PURCHASING RENEWABLE ENERGYDelivering Clean Energy Solutions
Delivering Clean Energy Solutions (DCES) is a community bulk buy program offering energy efficient, high quality and cost effective clean energy solutions for your home.
During 2011, DCES will facilitate the purchase and installation of clean energy solutions for 1,000 homes across northern metropolitanMelbourne, with the aim to save residents money and reduce greenhouse pollution.
www.dces.mefl.com.auGreen Power
Want to get renewable energy for your home but can’t afford solar panels?
Switching to GreenPower is the easiest way to significantly reduce your impact on climate change. GreenPower is a national accreditation program that sets environmental and reporting standards for renewable electricity products offered by energy retailers.
Ask your existing electricity retailer for a percentage of your power to come from GreenPower. Or check out what GreenPower products other retailers are offering and make a switch!www.greenpower.gov.auGreen Electricity WatchGreen Electricity Watch is an independent guide to green electricity products.
Compiled by Total Environment Centre, Australian Conservation Foundation and World Wide Fund for Nature (Aust), this independent survey of green electricity products will help you decide on the best solutions for your business.
The review only assesses accredited GreenPower products, and the website also provides general information on electricity and climate change, as well as energy saving tips.
www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au
BUYING EFFICIENT PRODUCTSEnergy Rating
Australia's leading guide to choosing an energy efficient appliance. You can search and compare products ranging from air-conditioners to fridges before you make that important purchase.
www.energyrating.gov.au Window Energy Rating (WERS) Scheme
WERS rates the energy impact of windows in housing anywhere in Australia. With up to 40% of a home’s energy for cooling or heating being lost or gained through windows, improving their thermal performance reduces energy costs and Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
www.wers.net
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme
Water shortages and the longer-term security of water supply are serious concerns for Australia. The WELS Scheme labels a range of products for water efficiency, helping Australian households to save water and money.
www.waterrating.gov.au
IN YOUR WORKPLACE
1200 Buildings
Are you a building owner or manager? The City of Melbourne’s 1200 Buildings program can help you to retrofit your building, saving energy and money and helping cut emissions within our municipality.
The City of Melbourne can also now help building owners obtain finance for retrofit works.
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/1200buildings
CitySwitch
The CitySwitch Green Office program is a great way for businesses to improve office energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Workshops, training, support, recognition and networking opportunities are provided by the program.
www.cityswitch.net.auINSPIRED? WANT MORE INFO?Environment Resource Centre at East Melbourne Library.
From the very basics of home energy saving and recycling to the challenging issues of global economic, social and environmental sustainability, a wealth of information can be found at East Melbourne Library.
The East Melbourne Library was opened in 2006 and adopted Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) strategies to minimise its environmental impact during its construction and over the life of the building.
Can’t get to East Melbourne? Reserve the book you are after and arrange for collection from North Melbourne Library.
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/MelbourneLibraryService (Search: Environment Resource Centre)
