Making smart climate choices at home

Energy savings at home

You can take small steps at home to save money, use less energy, and help the environment by:

• increasing your home’s energy efficiency
• switching from gas and making your next choice electric
• getting financial support and getting the best deal on your energy bills

Increase energy efficiency

Small steps can make a big difference to the amount of energy you use at home. There are many ways to save energy like:

• smarter heating
• energy-efficient appliances
• effective cooling
• good insulation, including window coverings
• an efficient hot water system
• efficient lighting
• window glazing or treatments.

Take up our offer of free expert advice on home energy efficiency for:

• home owners
• people in rental properties.

Switch from gas

When you can, switch from gas to all-electric appliances. They’re better for the environment and your health. Electric appliances are more efficient than gas appliances and their operation is carbon-neutral when powered by the ACT’s 100% renewable electricity.

The ACT will transition away from fossil fuel gas to renewable electricity by 2045, so when you’re upgrading appliances consider making your next choice electric.

Visit Powering Canberra: Our pathway to electrification to learn about how and why to make the switch, and map out your energy journey using the interactive experience.

Get financial support and save money

Households spend a lot of money on their energy use. Check your energy plan and compare pricing on Energy Made Easy.

Lower-income households can get practical help and support to reduce energy and water bills. This will help with adapting to the effects of climate change .

Your electricity retailer might be offering deals on energy-saving products. Since 2013, the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme has directly helped over 78,500 households and businesses reduce household energy use and costs.

Need help with making your home more energy-efficient? See if you're eligible for a low-interest Sustainable Household Scheme loan. Up to $15,000 is available for energy-efficient appliances and installation costs.

We also offer incentives to replace wood heaters. Swapping to an efficient electric system will reduce air pollution from wood fuel.

Under the Home Energy Support program, Pensioner Concession Card and Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card holders may be eligible for rebates on rooftop solar, hot water heat pumps, reverse cycle heating and cooling systems, and ceiling insulation.

Sustainability upgrades for rental and strata properties

Canberra is growing, with more people living and working in apartments or townhouses.

Under new unit titles legislation, property owners and tenants can install all types of items to make their homes more sustainable.

Owner corporations can no longer refuse these types of sustainability requests. Low-cost improvements may also be tax deductable for property owners.

Find out more about the Managing Buildings Better reforms.

Smarter travel

You can reduce emissions by changing the way you travel around Canberra:

• walk or ride a bike
• hire a dockless e-bike or e-scooter
• catch public transport more often
• buy a zero emissions vehicle or use your car less.

If you're thinking about buying an e-bike, try one first by borrowing from Canberra's Electric Bike Library.

Why not check if your children's school is part of the Ride or Walk to School Program?

Electric vehicles

Switch to a zero emissions vehicle – a ZEV – next time you buy a car. These vehicles don’t produce greenhouse gases when they run.

You can access generous incentives when you buy a ZEV, including free stamp duty and two years free registration. Plus you will have lower running costs and avoid rising fuel prices. There are many benefits to owning an electric vehicle.

Recycling and waste

By reducing our waste and recycling right, you can help the environment. Lower your emissions by understanding how to sort your waste, including what you can recycle, where you can drop-off things like e-waste, and how to book a bulky waste collection. The Recyclopaedia is your go-to guide.

Learn how to cut the amount of food and garden waste you put into landfill. Set up a composting system, keep chickens and use your green bin for garden organics. There are many ways to reduce your household food waste, including a Food Waste Challenge!

We've banned a lot of single-use plastics, and we're phasing out more. Carry reusable bags, containers and utensils for shopping and takeaway food and drinks.

Water savings at home

Use water efficiently in your home to save thousands of litres of water each year. You may also reduce your water bill.

Choose water-efficient appliances by checking the water rating and energy rating labels. In the bathroom, laundry and kitchen, you can:

• take shorter showers
• get a plumber to fit a water-saving showerhead
• turn taps off firmly
• only run your dishwasher when it is full.

Climate-wise gardens

To become more resilient to the effects of climate change, consider how you’re choosing plants and using water in the garden.

Saving and storing water at home in rainwater tanks and rain gardens reduces water usage. Using greywater from your bathroom or laundry is also an option. Set up systems to suit different areas of your garden and water at the right time of day. Mulch and compost can improve your soil and help water to absorb into the ground.

Choose the best plants and trees for the Canberra climate using helpful online tools. Planting trees and creating a climate-wise garden can reduce emissions and cool your home.

There are things you can do to help adapt to the warming climate and keep Canberra ‘green’. This is worth considering when you’re planning and designing a new home. Learn more about how we are cooling the city in Canberra's Living Infrastructure Plan.

Helping beyond your home

You can help the wider community by volunteering with an environmental group. There are some great projects underway to help build our resilience to the effects of climate change.

Our Community Zero Emissions Grants can help with funding.

Every small step reduces your carbon footprint.