Here’s an excerpt of a website from the Australian government with some good information and advice on energy usage and conservation. Via yourhome.gov.au:
The average household’s energy use is responsible for over seven tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions can be significantly reduced through use of renewable energy, more efficient appliances and energy conservation measures. The Energy Use group of fact sheets shows you how.
Choosing the most appropriate energy source can significantly reduce your energy bills and improve the environmental performance of your home. A choice of energy sources is available to new home buyers, existing owners and tenants.
Conventional electricity from the supply grid currently produces the largest amount of CO2 of any energy source per unit of energy used, except in Tasmania where hydro electric power is the predominant source of electricity. Hydropower is used to a lesser extent in some other states, with fossil fuel power stations providing most of the electricity on the Australian mainland.
Renewable energy sources produce no greenhouse gases in operation and reduce or eliminate the need for additional coal fired power stations and large hydro-electric dams.
Natural gas produces only about one third the greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional electricity.
Minimizing demand for energy through conservation and efficiency is the most cost effective means of reducing operational and environmental costs for all home owners and tenants.
Space heating and cooling and water heating account for nearly 63 per cent of household energy use.
Heating and cooling, appliances (such as refrigerators, televisions and computers) and water heating use the most energy in the home and generate the most greenhouse gas emissions.
Look for ways to reduce consumption through efficient use.
Monitor your energy bills and check for unexpected increases and how they can be reduced through more efficient energy use.
The percentage of greenhouse gas emissions from home energy use depends on the carbon intensity of the energy source. For example, the carbon intensity of electricity is much higher than that of natural gas or wood per unit of delivered energy. Therefore, although heating and cooling is the highest energy use in the home, as natural gas is typically used for heating, it is not the highest greenhouse gas emitter.
Original site: Your Home Technical Manual – 6.1 Energy use