Introduction:

The modern lifestyle is a costly one. Most people spend their money on the cost of running a home, a car and buying food. Their remaining income is devoted to “fun” things – fashion clothing, sports, social events, holidays and other recreational activities.

Whatever they deem to be the most important item in their lives, they will want as much money as possible to spend on this favourite activity so that they get the maximum enjoyment possible.

To really enjoy the important things in their lives, people need to plan their expenditure. How they choose to spend their income is basic economics – this much for rent, this much for the car and this much for food etcetera. It is called “the domestic budget”.

The largest expenses after housing costs (rent or mortgage) and food are usually  energy costs – the electricity and gas consumed in the home and the fuel for the car.  These forms of energy are important whatever lifestyle you choose, because they:

• Heat your water.
• Warm your home in winter and cool it down in summer.
• Keep your food cool and fresh to eat.
• Cook your food.
• Give light at night-time.
• Provide energy for entertainment (stereo, TV).
• Clean (vacuum cleaner, washing machine).
• Help make things (food mixer, electric drill).
• Provide convenient transport (to work or to leisure activities).

The household electricity and gas costs are referred to as the “energy accounts”. In fact, these two forms of energy – electricity and gas - are so important that they are generally called essential services.

As our homes and lifestyles have become more sophisticated so our energy accounts have tended to rise but the consequence is not just monetary cost. Consumption of vehicle fuel, electricity and gas all result to some degree in the emission of greenhouse gases and scientists are now concerned that the build-up of these gases in the global atmosphere could cause significant climate change with serious social and economic consequences.

So although energy use is essential to our well-being, we need to use it wisely to not adversely affect our environment. Just about every time we switch on the light or turn on an appliance, we’re contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. On average, each Western Australian household produces around six tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. It is important that we all realise the implications of our energy use. Wasting electricity harms the environment as well as hurting the bank account.

So in the last decade there has been increasing focus on energy conservation and energy efficiency so that we don’t use energy unnecessarily and when we do use it, we do so effectively – even at home.

Next Section >> The Western Australian Government's response.

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