HEATING AND COOLING TIPS

In an average Australian home heating and cooling appliances contribute most to your electricity bill

• Try and use fans to cool your home instead of the air conditioner unless the temperature is more than 30 deg.
• Use inverter type airconditioners that are sized, installed and used in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations – they’ll use up to 40% less energy than other air-conditioners.
• In winter, open your curtains in the middle of the day to let the warm sun in. In summer, use your blinds to block out the sun’s heat.
• Warm yourself up with few extra blankets or jumpers before switching on heater. Once you have few extra layers you probably don’t need to heat the whole room.
• Install special purpose-built window and door seals to stop the cold / hot air from escaping outside.
• Have your gas-ducted heating system zoned, to heat the living areas during the day and bedrooms at night and always close the doors to rooms you’re not using so the heat stays in.

LIGHTING TIPS

• Light your workspace not the entire room.
• Install motion sensors on your security lights – so you don’t have to remember to turn them off at night,
• Switch to LEDs or compact fluorescent light bulbs – you could save up to 80% energy per globe.
• Use solar lights to light up your garden pathways - they store energy during the day and then light up automatically at night.

APPLIANCES AROUND THE HOME

• If you have a second fridge, only turn it on when it’s needed - that 400L ‘beer’ fridge can cost you around $220 a year
• Keep your fridge and freezer at optimal temperature. For fridge its between 3°C and 5°C, and the freezer to somewhere between -15°C and -18°C. Every degree lower after that uses around 5% more energy.
• Check if your fridge door is sealed properly
• Thaw frozen food in fridge not in microwave. It might take a bit longer, but more energy efficient
• When cooking, set your oven to fan forced - it cooks quicker and more evenly than conventional settings.
• Clean all your dirty dishes at the same time.
• Consider upgrading to a new dishwasher of your current one was manufactured in the early 90s – chances are it’s using twice as much water and 40% more energy.
• An in-ground pool can use as much as 30% of your home’s electricity bill. Check to see if yours can be connected to an off peak meter tariff – so you can make some great savings.
• Use standby power controllers or turn off small appliances when you’re not using them. They mightn’t be big, but they can use 5% of the average home’s energy.
• Always check the energy-rating label when it’s time to buy a new appliance. The more stars it has, the more energy efficient it is.

HOT WATER ENERGY SAVING TIPS

Hot water uses around 25% of your home’s energy – and is the largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions in the average Australian home

• Check the temperature of your thermostat. The most efficient temperature for your hot water system is 60 degree Celsius
• Consider a solar hot water system.
• Stick to short, four-minute showers. You’ll save water, energy and money.
• Ditch the heated towel rails – they can cost up to $200 a year in energy.
• Switch from a standard showerhead to a 3-star rated head. You could reduce your hot water by half.
• Leave your mixer tap in the cold position, so hot water isn’t wasted cooling in the pipe.

LAUNDRY TIPS

• Dry your clothes on a line rather than using your dryer – you can save around $130 a year.
• When it’s time to buy a new washing machine look for one with:
  • A fast spin cycle - Some of the best machines have spin speeds over 1600 rpm
  • An autosensing control that switches off when your clothes are dry
  • At least a 4-star energy rating and 4-star water rating
  • Or choose a front loader, you’ll use even less water and energy
• Try and do your ironing in large batches – that way you won’t waste energy heating and reheating your iron every time.

Medical and Healthcare

As a distributor for over 200 suppliers, AICA ensures customers have access to the widest possible range in health and medical supplies at the most competitive pricing which include:

• Anaesthesia equipment
• Intensive Care Equipment
• Emergency Equipment
• Hospital Equipment
• Veterinary Equipment
• Diagnostic Equipment
• Cardiology Products
• Medical Furniture and Lighting
• Consumables

Machinery and Equipment

AICA is determined to fully leverage on the strengths of our earth moving machinery and equipment sales subsidiary for mining, construction, plant hire and industrial sectors.

New and used equipment include:

• Dozers
• Graders
• Excavators
• Loaders
• Dumpers
• Cranes

Logistics

With our transport, clearing and forwarding services, AICA offers specialised services to importers and exporters including small to medium enterprises.

We cater to the following services:

• Warehousing
• Customs Broking
• Computerized Wharf Services
• Container packing and unpacking
• Cargo transport services

The trading freight services of AICA has the capacity for a highly efficient reach in all aspects of international freight forwarding, customs and quarantine clearances and transport ensuring both importers and exporters are coordinated to requirements, documents and in line with Australian standards and laws.