David Welford of Living Greener said a recent article warned house holders about the risk of having hot water systems with thermostats set too low. Several recent cases in Australia of Legionnaire’s Disease have been linked to temperatures less than 50C in hot water storage tanks.

Mr Welford said the Australian Government’s Green Start Program offering free Home Sustainability Assessments had now finished.

Raising community awareness about reducing greenhouse gases had been a key outcome of the program, said the island’s only resident Home Sustainability Assessor.

“The program has been successful in helping over 100 households on the island save on electricity, water and gas bills. Many of these assessments also raised more than $1100 for charity and sporting clubs,” he said.

Assessments involved entering data about homes and the appliances used in them onto an internet program. At the end of the assessments, householders could see a report detailing recommendations.

For many homes, this involved simple ideas such as turning off all appliances at powerpoints after use.

Many homes were yet to convert to energy saving light globes, either compact fluorescent globes, CFLs or light emitting diode lights, LEDs. Replacing a 75 W incandescent globe used for four hours a day with the equivalent 15 W CFL, the savings pay for the CFL in around three months.

The use of old fridges and freezers in hot places such as the shed or a veranda are major contributors to power bills.

Both low water-use shower heads and dual-flush toilets were common in many homes or householders knew strategies to reduce water use.

“For most of us, we are used to abundant and cheap electricity, water, LPG and wood. But the signs are that this is to change in the future.

“The most important factors in making savings of resources are the willingness to take on advice and to change habits. Perhaps it could be prudent to reassess how we use resources in our homes and businesses before it is forced on us,” Mr Welford said.