Episode: Six
Date: 9th May
Story: Energy Efficiency
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane

Learning to reduce energy consumption and bills has never been easier, with the state?s largest energy retailer. Trevor discovers practical energy solutions for the home and garden offered by Synergy with ?Great Gardens-Synergy Energy Efficiency? workshops.

About Synergy

• Synergy is Western Australia?s largest energy retailer servicing around 970,000 industrial, commercial and residential customers through a complex network of supply and delivery partnerships.
• Since 2006 Synergy has supplied customers connected to the South West Interconnected System(SWIS) covering the area from Kalbarri in the north down to Albany in the south and east to Kalgoorlie.
• Synergy markets approximately 80% of the electricity sold in the SWIS and over 35% of the contestable gas load.
• The primary activities of Synergy include energy trading (purchasing), marketing, sales and customer service, billing and payment processing. The business operates a dedicated Contact Centre and a limited outbound tele services group. In addition, Synergy services major customers? needs through a diversified team of account managers.
• The business carries out these tasks with a workforce of approximately 350 possessing strong technical knowledge and skills to assist our customers.

Synergy and the environment

• Synergy is committed to helping residents reduce their impact on the environment.
• Synergy is focused on providing practical energy solutions you can use now and in the future. The Synergy Energy Efficient Workshops are just one example of a practical energy solution that you can use to reduce your impact and the environment and save money.

• Synergy is one retailer that tells you to use less of their product, most retailers tell you to use more.
• Synergy provides customers with tools to reduce their energy use. Use the ?Energy Calculator? today and identify which appliances are impacting household electricity bills.

Synergy Energy Workshops

• Are free of charge-provide new and useable information.
• Workshops are supported by a range of resources which you can access to ensure you have the knowledge to implement the skills learnt at the workshop.
• Learn how simple changes can have an impact on your energy use. Standby power, heating and cooling tips, refrigeration tips, changes to lighting and how much energy your appliances use, are all features of the Synergy energy efficient workshops.
• Workshops are fun and interesting and run by professionals ? The ?Great Gardens? team is extremely knowledgeable so you are learning from the best.
• Learn about renewable energy.
• Learn to design for sustainability, which will add value to your home and save on energy bills.
• Chance to speak one on one to the Great Gardens team during the workshops and join the Great Gardens network so your questions can be answered anytime by sustainable gardeners.
• Learn how to use your garden as a natural air conditioner.
• Reduce your impact on the environment.
• Save money on your energy bill and garden upkeep.
• Improve the visual impact of your garden.
• Learn how garden design is linked to home energy consumption.
• Learn how your choice of plant, and where you plant it as well as your location of paving and pergolas, can influence temperatures inside your home.
• Learn how to naturally keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Promotions

Synergy is offering viewers the chance to win one of three Home Energy Audits by emailing sponsorships@synergy.net.au

What?s involved?
A qualified Energy Auditor will meet customers in their home and:

• Educate householders on how much energy individual appliances consume.
• Discuss how appliances are used and make suggestions on how to use them more efficiently. Look at the design and structure of the home and make suggestions that would improve comfort during summer and winter.
• Measure the flow rate out of the showerhead and discuss options for saving hot water.
• Check the hot water system for leaks and drips, inspect pipes for lagging (an insulation
• tool) and check at what temperature the thermostat is set.
• Help householders understand their energy bills
• Show residents how to read their electricity, gas and water meters.
• Install a variety of energy efficient products, such as CFL?s, water efficient showerheads
• and door seals ? to help householders save energy (and money) straight away.
• For more information about what a Home Energy audit involves visit synergy.net.au
• Competition terms and conditions can be found on the Synergy website at synergy.net.au/competitions

Contact

Candice Grisbrook,
Synergy
Corporate Affairs Advisor
P: 6212 1832
E: candice.grisbrook@synergy.net.au
www.synergy.net.au