The Kilowatt Challenge, March to November 2007

We are all electricity consumers but unlike most products we consume we generally have little awareness of how much we use, where it goes, or even how it is measured. The Kilowatt Challenge is a way of learning about your electricity use and learning ways to reduce the amount.

Electricity is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh), the amount used by a 1000 watt appliance such as a single bar radiator in one hour. Every kWh of electricity we use in NSW causes the release of 985 grams of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Thats very close to 1 kg per kWh of power. Much of the electricity we use is wasted, so it is easy to reduce electricity consumption without loosing the benefits of a comfortable life that it allows.

As an example, an "energy efficient" front loading washing machine used 60 times over a 3 month billing period uses 8.4 kWh on washing, and over the same time it uses 6.6 kWh of standby power. That's the energy equivalent of 46 loads of washing wasted just sitting there. We are not suggesting washing by hand! Turning the machine off at the wall rather than at the front panel reduces this waste and effectively makes the machine 43% more efficient.

A good way to really understand your household energy use is to get your home audited by NECO, who can measure the energy use of all appliances and replace old fashioned incandescent light bulbs while they are there. Challenge participants are eligible for a discount on a NECO home audit, which can be booked by phoning 0434 614 514.

The Kilowatt Challenge participants will receive monthly newsletters full of tips on how to reduce electricity use and achieve the same benefits with less power consumption. Suggestions from challenge participants will be welcome, and circulated in the newsletters.

The challenge is open until 12th May and runs for 2 billing cycles. The winners are the households that make the greatest percentage reduction in their electricity consumption between their baseline bill and the average of the next two bills. Keep track of your electricity by writing the kWh amounts from your bills onto the challenge fridge magnet, so your friends and relations can ask you about it. Participants should keep their bills for verification at the end of the challenge.

The web form for joining the Kilowatt Challenge is temporarily out of action, so please join by email:

Send an email to KC@climateaction.org.au

Include the following details:

1. Your name, (and the names of others in your household who are taking part)
2. Address (number, street, suburb, postcode)
3. Phone number
4. The total number of kWh on your last bill
5. The number of days in your last billing period.
6. Please also include your email address in the body of the email.

Some people are joining as teams. If you are part of a team entry, include your team name.

We will send you your challenge materials within a week.