http://www.synergy.net.au/docs/energy_in_focus_bill_insert_summer_2013.pdfWIN* a voucher to purchase $1000 worth of outdoor furniture and relax in style!
Synergy is giving away a voucher to spend on outdoor furniture to the value of $1,000 so one lucky customer can create a cool spot to relax in their garden this summer.
For your chance to win, simply answer the following two (2) questions.
Hint: The answers can be found within the content of this newsletter.
Q1: What is the optimal temperature to set your air conditioner during summer?
Q2: Name two “vampire energy suckers” found in your home.
Enter online at synergy.net.au/win by following the prompts, or send your answers to Synergy Outdoor Furniture Competition, GPO Box K795, Perth WA 6000.
When providing us your answers, please include your name, address, telephone number and Synergy account number. Competition closes 20 January 2014. GOOD LUCK!
*Competition terms and conditions apply. For more details, visit synergy.net.au/competitions To enter you must be 18 years of age or over and hold a Synergy account in your name.
energy in focus summer 2013
Hot tip
If you are planning to go on holiday and have an electric storage hot water system, consult your hot water system manual and turn your system off whilst you are away. It’ll save energy, and is easy to turn back on when you arrive back home.
Travel light
If you’re going away this festive season, the last thing you want to think about is not receiving or paying your energy bill before you leave. With Synergy’s My Account, managing your energy account online is simple, convenient and secure. And the best part about it is you can access and pay your bill, wherever you are.
My Account keeps all your energy records in one place, and is accessible 24-hours a day, all year round. You’ll find payment options and information about your usage, billing and payment history. Joining up is free, so what are you waiting for?
Register now at synergy.net.au/myaccount and enjoy a hassle-free festive season.
‘Summerise’ your home
The weather is heating up and now is the time to ‘summerise’ your home. That means getting it ready for the hot days ahead so you can beat the heat.
By preparing your home for summer, you can beat the heat and save energy, money and the environment too. Visit synergy.net.au/tips and synergy.net.au/energyinfocus for more tips and advice on ways to reduce your energy consumption.
Make ‘cool’ choices
Switch lights off when you leave a room. Lights not only illuminate, some may produce heat as well. You can also reduce power consumption by fitting energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs.
Make use of Mother Nature’s free ventilation and open your windows as soon as it’s cooler outside. Remember to prepare for a hot day by closing your windows in the early morning.
Enjoy some fresh air. Break away from your TV and games consoles at home and take a walk to your local park or go for a family picnic to minimise use of your oven on the hottest days.
Here’s our checklist of easy things to do.
Change the temperature setting of your air conditioner. The optimal temperature setting for an air conditioner in summer is 24°C. Changing the setting to just one degree cooler may add to your bill.
Spring clean your air conditioner. Dust and dirt can greatly affect the efficiency of the unit.
Turn off your solar hot water system booster.
In summer, there’s more than enough sunlight to provide regular hot water.
Check your hot water thermostat. The temperature should be set at or below 60°C.
Service your fridge. It works harder in hot weather, so defrost any icy build-ups in the freezer, clean along the door seals and replace them if damaged.
Consider installing ceiling fans. These are cheap to buy and install and are highly effective.
Make some shade. Hang bamboo blinds – or even shade cloth – from the eaves in front of north and west facing windows and walls. It’s an easy, inexpensive shade-maker from the hot midday and afternoon sun.
Create a cool place to relax. Prune under large trees where you can lounge or dine alfresco on hot days.
Plant deciduous vines. These can grow up walls, pergolas or lattice to give extra shade.
A tip for swimming pool owners. The pool pump needs to run longer in summer, so install a timer and consider connecting to Synergy SmartPower® as it lets you take advantage of off-peak rates by running the pump at night. Invest in a pool blanket; it warms the pool, keeps out dirt and leaves, and reduces evaporation.
Join the fight against the vampire energy suckers!
Competition time
WIN* a voucher to purchase $1000 worth of outdoor furniture and relax in style!
Synergy is giving away a voucher to spend on outdoor furniture to the value of $1,000 so one lucky customer can create a cool spot to relax in their garden this summer.
For your chance to win, simply answer the following two (2) questions.
Hint: The answers can be found within the content of this newsletter.
Q1: What is the optimal temperature to set your air conditioner during summer? Q2: Name two “vampire energy suckers” found in your home.
Enter online at synergy.net.au/win by following the prompts, or send your answers to Synergy Outdoor Furniture Competition, GPO Box K795, Perth WA 6000. When providing us your answers, please include your name, address, telephone number and Synergy account number. Competition closes 20 January 2014. GOOD LUCK!
*Competition terms and conditions apply. For more details, visit synergy.net.au/competitions To enter you must be 18 years of age or over and hold a Synergy account in your name.
For more information on how Synergy can help you, see synergy.net.au/focusedonyou
Look very closely and chances are you will find several appliances quietly feeding off energy in your home. This unwelcome breed of appliances, known as the
‘vampire energy suckers’, often go by unnoticed in Western Australia’s
busy households. But do not fear - Synergy has come up with a
variety of ways to put a stop to the energy suckers’ endless
waste and destruction:
• Appliances that require recharging, such as mobile phones, electric toothbrushes, tablets and laptops, can
quickly become vampire energy suckers. Once they are
charged, remember to switch them off at the wall or they will continue to suck energy from your
household and your pocket!
• Seek out which appliances you can switch off at the wall, such as kettles, TVs and other energy-sucking culprits. Only turn them on when you need to use them and switch them back off when you’re finished. You’ll be surprised just how much energy you can save by combatting the ‘vampire energy suckers’ in this way.
• Consider computers with in-built eco-saver power settings. Many computers have ‘anti-vampire’ settings which enable you to reduce the amount of time before the screen saver comes on, or before your computer hibernates. Generally these settings can be found in the control panel.
Synergy is focused on helping you save energy and save the day. For more ways to rid your home of vampire energy suckers, visit synergy.net.au/tips and synergy.net.au/energyinfocus
Australian Competitions Club
