Full green ahead: lighten your water and energy load by scaling back on gadgets and appliances

With the weather growing milder and a few good downpours of rain in recent weeks, it is easy to relax our focus on water and energy consumption But with cooler temperatures on the way, it will not be long before each of us is lingering under a hot shower and pulling out the heaters in readiness for winter.

Reducing energy and water costs not only makes great economic sense but it is a personal way of doing our part to conserve our natural resources and protect the planet.

University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures senior research consultant Caitlin McGee says there are mixed messages in terms of how we are responding to water and energy conservation.

"There is definitely growing awareness and people have an intention to do good things and they are doing good things," she says.

"But there are some worrying trends such as Australians building larger homes. The larger the home, the more likely you are to use [more] energy to light, heat and cool it." Even for those with existing homes, Caitlin says owners are installing more electrical appliances than in the past.