UnitingCare Community is a Queensland-based provider of community services. After energy audits were completed on a number of its 297 properties, the organisation began energy efficiency improvements as one of its first initiative. At Gipps Street, electricity consumption was high relative to floor area, until changes were made.

At Carlton’s Café Lua, a local program helped inspire a range of sustainability improvements. These include switching to compostable take away cups, installing water-saving tap aerators, installing energy-efficient lighting and installing louvre windows for ventilation – a move which reduces the need for energy intensive air conditioning.

At Northcote’s Café Koula, changing the lighting has led to changing the atmosphere in the busy café. Compact fluorescents replaced 105 watt metal halides, giving an equivalent light while using less energy, and improving light in the café’s work areas. A produce garden is popular with families, and waste is fed to local chickens or  in a retrofitted worm farm. Financially, the business has saved $140 a year electricity and maintenance costs, while reducing its greenhouse emissions.

When the Alto Hotel was built in 2006, sustainability features were built into the design. Today, the hotel achieves outstanding savings in energy, waste and water use. While these features added approximately $450,000 to the $5 million build, savings on electricity, water, gas and chemicals are estimated at $50,000 per annum, and creates a point of different for customers.

When a customer pointed out the unsustainability of this hospitality venue’s food offerings, the business began a move towards greater energy efficiency that led to a 21% reduction in annual energy usage. The move, which also shaved $10,785 a year off the businesses costs (including through savings in waste and water management) involved changes in lighting, a shift to preferencing local and seasonal products and training of staff to support energy efficiency activities. 

This Stradbroke Island café reduced its energy usage by 20% with 1 simple action: replacing its fridges and dishwasher with eco models.  The café has considered its supply chain: its main fisherman uses their used oil in his biodiesel delivery vehicle.

Energy efficiency improvements at the Mackay based Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort have led to savings of over $30,000 a year (including savings made through waste and water management). This family-owned business has – amongst other changes – replaced its six gas-fired hot water systems with four heat pump systems, changed all lighting to energy efficient globes, and installed sensor lights where practical. 

Habang tumataas ang mga presyo ng kuryente, marami sa atin ang naghahanap ng mga paraan upang makagamit ng mas mababang enerhiya sa tahanan. Ang magandang balita ay maraming simple at libreng mga bagay na maaari ninyong magawa ngayon. Sa pamamagitan ng pagsubok sa mga ideyang ito at paggawa ng ilang mga pagbabago sa ating pang-araw-araw na kinagawian, kayo ay maaaring makatipid ng pera at makatulong sa kapaligiran nang hindi kailangang isakrapisyo ang ginhawa.