There are no end of information resources and helpful organisations to help any enthusiastic household reduce its climate footprint.
To save you endless hunting, the resources below should be most helpful. Others will be added as we go. Good luck with your efforts!
(If you know of other valuable references, then .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).)
The site focuses on DIY projects – such as how to insulate your hot water cylinder – explains each project and provides background information and links to resources. It includes a handy listing of online and local (Hobart) suppliers.
It’s all there for you to use, so take a look and see what else you could be doing to save energy.
[ www.tasenergysavings.com is an extension of Waterworks Valley Community Climate Connect project and was compiled by South Hobart home energy assessor Rebecca Boyle. ]
This is a very productive exercise because you can then see how you are tracking.
CLICK HERE and you will see a graphic picture of how one South Hobart household has tracked its declining power usage over time.
This is a neat way to turn something that’s invisible (your power consumption) into something really tangible. By doing this we can challenge ourselves to keep improving our performance step by step as we make adjustments to our home and our lifestyle choices.
For step 1: Checking your footprint.
• Footprint calculator: There are various other footprint calculators, but this is probably the best.
• ACF’s simple calculator: This includes short explanations of impacts.
• Consumption Atlas: This gives a nifty snapshot.
• Star rate your home: WA resource but adapts well to Tassie.
For step 2: Making a commitment.
• Take the Powerdown Pledge: Download and sign it now!
For step 3: Mapping out your plan.
• Map out your home (example): Describe your home, its attributes and what you plan to do next to make your home life more sustainable. And here is a blank template – just download and fill it in.
• Create an action plan (example): Write down a list of the things you can reasonably plan to carry out in the coming months. And here is a blank template – just download and fill it in.
• Where you use up energy: The typical home energy pie.
• The barriers that are holding you back:Take the Tasmanian Climate Survey
For step 4: Getting started.
• Tasmanian Home Energy Guide: Sustainable Living’s home energy primer
• Sustainable Living Tasmania:: A great local service, really dedicated people.
• CSIRO Energy Saving Handbook: An excellent resource for basic ‘how-to’ information.
• Sustainable Living Guide: A neat guide illustrating how to live sustainably.
• Hot Spot: This requires flash player: It is Victorian based, but does still a useful tool for Tasmanians.
• ACF’s Green Home website Hosted by the Australian Conservation Foundation.
• Federal government advisory service:
• Global Warming - Cool It: An online booklet.
• ‘Your Home’ technical manual: If you want detailed advice on building performance, this is where to go.
• Renovators guide: If you’re thinking of renovating, here’s everything you need to consider.
• Online calculators: Here is as great set of tools to hep you check out your needs - everything from insulation to solar power.
For step 5: Measuring your success.
[A number of useful measuring templates will be installed here in coming weeks.]
Online calculators, downloads, templates and people you can talk to.
There is one measurement that is dead easy – how to keep track of your home’s power consumption. 
Resources to help you through