Energy efficiency kits to help residents cut power costs and emissions

Two new energy efficiency toolkits available to loan, free, from Noosa Libraries are helping residents cut their power bills and reduce their emissions. 

Cooroy resident Ally tests out the portable induction cooktop.

Residents can also borrow a portable induction hotplate to test out the new cooking technology.

Each energy efficiency kit includes a plug-in energy monitor to reveal how much power an appliance uses, as well as the cost of running it over a year.

“These kits help residents make informed decisions to make their homes more efficient, reduce emissions and ultimately save them money,” Noosa Council’s Carbon Reduction Project Officer Annie Nolan said.

Other items in the kit include tools for measuring the flow rate of taps and showers, and a thermal camera for identifying hot and cold spots around the home.

Cooroy Residents Ally and Garry said the kits were really easy to use.  

“I was able to measure how much power my TV uses just in standby,” Garry said.

“By using the thermal camera, I was able to identify a number of hot spots which are making my air-conditioning work harder and costing more."

“I have identified a number of areas to reduce my electricity and save costs."  
 
Keen chef Ally said using the portable induction kit was great.

“It came with a magnet so I could see if my pots were made of a magnetic material and hence compatible with the induction stove. The stove itself was terrific - heated up really fast. My next stove will definitely be an electric induction cooktop,” she said.

Ms Nolan said Council was loaning out the cooktops to encourage residents to consider high efficiency induction technology when upgrading older stoves.

“This portable unit allows people to have a go in their own home - to see if induction technology suits their individual needs and heats up nice and quickly,” Ms Nolan said.

The kits and cooktops are available for seven-day loan from Noosaville and Cooroy Libraries. A free library membership is all that is needed to borrow the items.

Ms Nolan also encouraged residents looking to replace their washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, air-conditioners and hot water systems to make the most of the state government’s Climate Smart Energy Savers Rebate, which offers eligible Queenslanders rebates of up to $1000 on some appliances, until December 4.

Noosaville Library will also host a workshop on energy efficiency and using the toolkits, presented by Zero Emissions Noosa Inc., from 10am to 11am, Friday 24 Nov. 
                                                          
The workshops will offer advice on reducing energy in the home and feature a demonstration of the home energy efficiency kit and induction cooktop. Come along to learn how you could save energy and money on your electricity bill. Book online at the Noosa Libraries website or call (07) 5329 6555.