DIY Video guide on how to save energy in your home from Bunnings. Read more...
Leave a comment · 24/08/2012 ·
This great video provides a clear explanation as to why the price of petrol keeps going up. Read more...
Leave a comment · 09/05/2012
How to minimise the impact of the carbon tax. Weâ??ve put together a list of ways that you can cut down on the cost impact that the carbon tax is going to have on your life. There are some easy wins, as well as some big wins. Alternatively, you can sit back and do nothing and cop the full impact of the impending prices rises. Not likely? Well hereâ??s a practical guide to minimising the impact that the carbon tax has on your hip pocket. Read more...
1 comment · 20/04/2012
The implication of scrapping mandatory energy ratings for new homes and extensions were assessed by by Ted Baillieu’s Victorian Government. See why. Read more...
Leave a comment · 16/04/2012
The leader of the Federal Opposition, Tony Abbott, says a NSW proposal to raise electricity prices by an average of 16 per cent shows why the carbon tax should be axed. Given that it is highly unlikely that Gillard will pull out of the Carbon Tax at this late stage, we explore ways that you can reduce your power bills and miminise the impact of the carbon tax on your household bills. Read more...
6 comments · 13/04/2012 ·
Looking for a new way to make your lifestyle more sustainable and add value to your home? Then why not add an edible garden? Permaculture is one of the latest 'in' things, and not without good reason! Read more...
Leave a comment · 20/02/2012
Higher electricity bills, increased water costs and now the Carbon Tax - it's all putting pressure on our wallet. But is it possible to design around the Carbon Tax? With smart energy use and great innovations, can we still save money instead of spending it? Read more...
Leave a comment · 24/01/2012
Since posting an article about the Yellow Pages distribution being banned in the USA, we have seen a huge reaction in the comments. From agreeing and disagreeing to an official response from Sensis! Read more...
Leave a comment · 23/06/2011
Frustrated with the waste and environmental impact of the now defunct Yellow Pages directories, two major US cities have now banned the Yellow Pages from being openly distributed to households and businesses. Read more...
27 comments · 20/06/2011 ·
As the days get shorter and grow colder we all start thinking of ways we can keep the house warm. Typically we first go to turn up the thermostat on the heater, until we remember the power bill we ended up with last year! Then we start looking for our mittens and bed socks. But maybe there are other ways we can keep the house (and ourselves!) warm this winter? Read more...
2 comments · 31/05/2011
So we Australians are inundated with advice about how to save money on our electricity bills. But what are the Europeans doing differently to Australia to save electricity? Read more...
1 comment · 06/12/2010
December's just around the corner (literally, a few hours away) and usually that's when the Christmas present scramble starts! So here at Service Central we're coming to the rescue with an excellent idea for a gift that keeps on giving to your loved ones AND the environment. Read more...
Leave a comment · 30/11/2010
Service Central agrees that the outlook for the Solar PV industry in Australia is good. We've seen a huge increase in interest in having solar PV systems installed in people's houses. Read more...
Leave a comment · 23/11/2010
Solar technology is terribly interesting but can be daunting, so we've put together a glossary of terminology that will help you understand what we're talking about. Read more...
Leave a comment · 18/11/2010
If you're thinking about replacing your gutters or overhauling your roof, why not investigate some green options for your gutters and roof? Read more...
Leave a comment · 06/11/2010
On 28 October 2010, the NSW Government announced changes to the Solar Bonus Scheme. What are they? Read more...
Leave a comment · 28/10/2010
All businesses can benefit from embracing sustainability, not just massive corporate giants with lots and lots of energy output. Small businesses that are smart and committed also adopt effective sustainability practices and reduce their energy consumption in their day to day operations. Read more...
Leave a comment · 27/10/2010
With the federal election and sustainability being a hot topic, the states competing with each other to become the best state for sustainability, and the media coverage about proposed electricity price increases - it feels like everyone's talking about solar power. But is it all hype, or is the proposed investment into solar power by normal people like us a solid investment? We've questioned whether investing in solar power now is a good idea and have come up with a solid case for immediate action and beginning your investment now. Here are our reasons. Read more...
2 comments · 18/10/2010
Spring arrives, and at the Service Central office, we collectively reach for the tissues, antihistamines and nasal spray. Not only more pollens about, but we also spend more time outdoors in our gardens or at friend's homes, and with 2 in 5 Australians affected by hayfever it's no wonder that the focus is on low-allergenic gardens. Read more...
Leave a comment · 04/10/2010
Entering the area of solar PV systems and solar hot water systems is daunting. There is so much to understand before you're comfortable to buy - budget, efficiency + output, how much your home needs vs how much you can generate, how much will you get back from rebates and REC's, how much energy you can project you'll generate and how much you'll make from feeding energy back into the grid. And that's just to start! Read more...
Leave a comment · 24/09/2010
Browse through our comprehensive FAQ about solar hot water systems and learn everything that you need to know. Read more...
1 comment · 23/09/2010
Solar hot water system incentives come in three forms - REC's, federal rebates and state rebates. Each state has different rebates, so to find out more about the rebates you'll receive in your state read on! Read more...
1 comment · 14/09/2010
NSW electricity bills are set to increase by up to 64% over the next 3 years. Read more...
Leave a comment · 13/09/2010
Rebates and support for solar hot water energy investment come to Australians in three forms - REC's, federal rebates, and state rebates. This information is current as at September 2010 and it's very important to note that rebates and payments can change on an ad hoc basis with zero warning. That's one of the reasons to get quotes for your solar hot water or solar PV system as soon as possible, so that you can have your budget in mind and take advantage of rebates that are currently at high levels and could drop or disappear altogether. Find out more here. Read more...
Leave a comment · 13/09/2010
A solar hot water system is a system that harnesses the sun's energy to heat water for household use, instead of using electricity or gas. A solar hot water system consists of 5 parts, a collector, a tank, a heat exchanger, a pump and a control system. How does it work? Read more...
Leave a comment · 13/09/2010
Australians are more and more aware about the environmental benefits of having solar power systems creating energy in their homes. But as consumers, most of us want to know not only about the environmental benefits but also the financial benefits. These financial benefits come in two forms. Read more...
2 comments · 09/09/2010
A heat pump is a smart appliance that moves heat from one location to another using a small amount of energy. Heat pumps pull heat out of the air or ground and transfer it to a building, but can also work in reverse for cooling purposes. Heat pumps and air conditioners work similarly but heat pumps can also be used to heat water in tanks. Read more...
1 comment · 01/09/2010
Solar hot water heaters can reduce your household carbon emissions by more than 20%, besides cutting your energy bills drastically. Choosing a style of solar hot water heater can be quite tricky, and it's a great idea to get a solar professional to work through your options. However, here's an explanation about retrofitted systems. Read more...
Leave a comment · 01/09/2010
Solar hot water heaters can reduce your household carbon emissions by more than 20%, besides cutting your energy bills drastically. Choosing a style of solar hot water heater can be quite tricky, and it's a great idea to get a solar professional to work through your options. However, here's an explanation about preheater systems. Read more...
Leave a comment · 01/09/2010
Solar hot water heaters can reduce your household carbon emissions by more than 20%, besides cutting your energy bills drastically. Choosing a style of solar hot water heater can be quite tricky, and it's a great idea to get a solar professional to work through your options. However, here's an explanation about forced circulation systems (mains pressure pumped). Read more...
Leave a comment · 01/09/2010