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Follow on Google News | Pay now, save (the planet) laterMore Australian families investing in home greening solutions.
By: AAMI Insurance AAMI’s second annual Green Home and Motoring Index, found that the vast majority of Australians (87%) are committed to reducing their impact on the environment and reveals a healthy trend in green investment emerging, with significant increases in the number of people installing rainwater tanks, grey water systems, solar panels and energy efficient appliances in their homes. In fact, AAMI’s research found that between 2009 and 2010: • The number of Australian homes with solar panels has risen by more than half, from just 8% up to 13% • Grey water systems have noticeably increased by 36% • Households with rainwater tanks have increased in number by a third • Energy efficient appliance use has grown 20%, with 73% of Australian households now saying they have them, compared with only 61% in 2009. AAMI spokesperson Mike Sopinski said that while the results were encouraging, there was still plenty of room for improvement. “AAMI’s research found one in five (22%) Australians said they would go to any length to try to reduce their environmental impact and this is reflected in the increasing take-up of greening devices in many homes across the country,” Mr Sopinski said. “For others though, cost remains a key barrier to going green at home, with two in five survey respondents (41%) saying they would like to be more environmentally friendly as long as it doesn’t cost them anything. “While watching the household finances can hinder investment in some of the bigger ticket items, it’s important to remember that many green practices, like recycling and composting, are free and some could even save you money,” Mr Sopinski said. “Simple things like turning off lights when you’re not in the room and ensuring you switch appliances off at the wall can result in significant energy savings over the course of a year – benefiting your hip pocket as well as the environment. “And when it comes to the bigger ticket items, like rainwater tanks and energy efficient appliances, paying a little more upfront to protect the environment can save money over the long term – particularly with the rising costs of water, gas and electricity,” Among the other findings from this year’s AAMI Green Home and Motoring Index: • Recycling remains the most popular way for Australians to reduce their environmental impact, with nine in ten households (93%) now engaging in this practice • Water conservation is also top of mind, with 70% of Australians installing water saving showerheads in their homes (up from 65% in 2009) • Almost three-quarters of Australians (72%) limit the use of heaters and air-conditioners at home • Four in every five homes (88%) use energy saving light globes • Almost half of Australian households (48%) use phosphate-free, environmentally- Greenfleet CEO Sara Gipton said it was pleasing to see many Australians were already taking steps to limit their household carbon emissions, and reduce water and electricity usage in order to minimise their overall impact on the environment. “The research shows that many of us want to live a bit greener at home, but we feel like there are hurdles preventing us from getting there,” Ms Gipton said. “The key to living a greener lifestyle is to try to do small things and build from there. Every little bit helps, and together we can make a big difference. “Simple things like water conservation can have multiple benefits. In addition to saving precious water, you’ll save energy, particularly by reducing your hot water consumption. It’s also good for your hip pocket, because you’ll save money on both your energy and water consumption bills,” Ms Gipton said. “You don’t have to do everything at once, but if you take it a step at a time, you’ll be living the greener lifestyle you want much sooner than you think.” The full 2010 AAMI Green Home and Motoring Index - http://www.aami.com.au/ AAMI is a provider of: Home Insurance http://www.aami.com.au/ Car insurance http://www.aami.com.au/ # # # AAMI offers car insurance, travel insurance, home insurance and landlord insurance as well as caravan insurance and motorcycle insurance. Get your online insurance quote now! http://www.aami.com.au End
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