REDUCING carbon emissions in the home is not only good for the planet, it can save more than $1000 a year.

An analysis conducted for Value Hunter has revealed how going green saves you green.

The study, based on an average three-person household, was done by the New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Department spokeswoman Amanda Kane says most of the actions identified are no or low cost, as highlighted in the black balloon campaign presently screening on television and in print advertisements in most states.

The black balloon campaign aims to educate consumers about the link between power usage and carbon emissions, but the dollar savings are an added bonus. Simply changing some home behaviour, without financial outlay, can save $1010 annually.

Among the annual savings identified were: shorter shower ($30); isolate areas of the house during heating/cooling ($60); reduce thermostat in winter ($110); increase thermostat in summer ($110); switch off lights after use ($80); switch off appliances at wall ($100); wash clothes in cold water ($30); hang clothes on line, not using dryer ($280); remove the second fridge ($210).

Other low-cost moves, like replacing incandescent lights with CFLs, saves $120, fitting a low-flow shower head saves $30 per person, draught seals save $20 and using a fan instead of the air conditioner will save $110. Replacing the old fridge with a new one will save $125.

The biggest carbon emitters in the home, and therefore the most expensive, come from the hot water system and the heating and cooling appliances. An upfront investment is required to address these points, so the state and federal governments have generous rebates on offer to help make the green choice.

The hot water system is the highest energy user in the home.
By switching to solar you save $140 a year for the lifetime of the system, Ms Kane says.

And good insulation can cut heating and cooling costs dramatically with the added bonus that you can install it for free of charge with the Federal Government $1600 rebate, although you should always go with an accredited installer.

Natalie Isaacs, founder of The Natalie Group cosmetic business, together with her friend, Michelle Grosvenor from Green Peace, has started an initiative called Climate Coolers, which aims to tackle global warming from the home front.

"Women make 70 per cent of the consumer decisions in the home and the aim of our one million women campaign is to get women to make a personal commitment to cut one tonne of greenhouse gases from the home in one year," Ms Isaacs says.

Most people don't get excited about receiving the power bill, but she does. "It arrived last Monday and was 10 per cent down on last year, which was a saving of $200 and I was blown away," the Sydney mother of four says. The quarterly power bill provides solid evidence her green choices work. "Reducing my energy and seeing my bill come down . . . it's so exciting," she says.

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