Half Of Us Don’t Want to Pay For Clean Energy, So What Are Our Options?

Energy production is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, yet a newspoll released today has shown that only 45% of Australians are willing to pay more for renewable energy.

It's shocking that the burning of coal, natural gas and oil for electricity and heating is the biggest emitter of global greenhouse gasses but still makes up 86% of Australia's energy mix.

Sweden and Costa Rica are nearing 100% renewable, meanwhile Australia seems to be struggling to keep up in this very important race. Australia's renewable energy target of 23.5% by 2020 is modest compared to other countries, with Denmark and Scotland, along with others, having already met this in 2013.

So would you be willing to pay may for renewable energy?

By reducing the amount of energy we use (and waste) we can already recoup the cost of renewable energy. With electricity prices having increased by around 50% over the past five years and continually rising, options such as solar power can save a household more than half of their water heating energy consumption.

So while we wait for political goals and policy changes to be made, finding ways for you and your family to reduce your energy consumption and opting for renewable energy doesn't have to wait.

Small changes have big impacts

Finding small, low-cost (or free!) ways to reduce your energy consumption will help your carbon footprint and your hip pocket at the same time.

Here are four small changes you can make to reduce your energy consumption.

1. Use heated water less

Heating water accounts for a staggering 25% of the average home's greenhouse emissions.

Making small changes like washing your clothes in cold water or only washing when the load is full will both save water and reduce your energy bill. And as much as you love singing in the shower or listening to your favourite tunes shortening your shower time will also save bucket loads.

Image: Shutterstock

2. Harness the power of the sun

We all know the power of the sun to produce energy (Australian households having the highest proportion of PV solar systems in the world) but also finding ways for the sun to save energy is just as important.

Choosing to spend some time soaking in the sunshine while hanging out your clothes to dry, rather than opting for the dryer will save you instant cash.

3. Get it just right

Goldilocks taught us to get it not too hot and not too cold, turning your air conditioning thermostat down one degree in winter and up one degree in summer can reduce your heating and cooling energy use by as much as 10%.

Here are some more easy ways to stay warm in winter and cool in summer without even turning the air conditioning on.

4. Turn off the tech

The average home now has nearly 70 energy using appliances which, when on stand-by power, can use up to 8% of a household's total electricity.

Items like your washing machine and dryer with digital displays use power while you aren't even using them. Appliances like these which don't get visited daily can easily be turned off at the wall in between uses.

And if you're watching Netflix on the couch with your laptop and only using the TV and DVD player for Friday movie night, switching these off during the week is a habit worth making too.

Banner Image: Unsplash

Read this next: In The Age Of Climate Change, I've Decided Not To Have Kids. Here's Why.