Energy and Water Saver Kit

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This tool kit is designed to help you identify issues that are affecting the energy and water efficiency of your home. Each tool is designed to give information about some important aspects of your home’s efficiency, which can help you to work out what steps you can take to reduce how much energy and water you use, reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and save money.

Energy efficiency refers to using less energy to perform the same task or achieve the same level of output. It involves reducing energy waste and optimising the use of resources. Improved energy efficiency can lead to lower energy consumption, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and lower costs for individuals, businesses, and governments.

Australian households generate about one fifth of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, which are the emissions causing rapid climate change. Making our homes more efficient, and making the shift to renewable forms of energy, are important actions we can all take to reduce our carbon emissions and tackle climate change.

We would like to hear about your experience 

Hobsons Bay City Council is providing this kit to support you in your efforts to make your home more energy efficient and climate resilient. Then you can save energy and money.   

When you finish using the kit, please give us your feedback by completing the following survey.  

RESERVE HERE

What's in the tool kit?

  1. Thermal imaging camera 
  2. Thermometer 
  3. Stopwatch
  4. Power-Mate energy meter 
  5. Instruction kit
  6. Greener living brochure

Thermal Camera Instruction Guide

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1. Getting Started 

  • Charge the device fully before first use. The manual notes a built-in rechargeable lithium battery.  

  • Switch the unit on: press and hold the Power / On/Off button for ~3 seconds.  

  • Allow the device ~10 minutes to stabilise if it hasn’t been used for a while (this helps ensure measurement accuracy).  

2. Basic Operation & Navigation

  • Look through the screen/display. You’ll see a thermal (infra-red) image and possibly a visible-light overlay (many dual-camera models do).  

  • Use the trigger or “picture capture” button to take a thermal image.  

  • Use the directional buttons (up/down/left/right) and the “OK/SET” button to navigate the menu.  

3. Using the Device in Home or Business Inspection

Here are some typical inspection scenarios and how to use the thermal imager effectively: 

a) Electrical panels / switchboards 

  • Stand a safe distance away (as per device guidelines). 

  • Scan across the panel slowly and look for any “hot spots” (components significantly warmer than surrounding parts). 

  • A hot spot may indicate loose connection, overloaded circuit or failing component. 

  • Capture images and note the component/location for further investigation. 

b) Underfloor heating / radiant heating systems 

  • With the heating engaged, scan the floor surface. 

  • Look for areas colder than expected (which may indicate missing loops, poor insulation or failure). 

  • Use the thermal image to document any anomalies. 

c) Building envelope / insulation 

  • On an external wall, roof or ceiling, scan for thermal leaks — e.g., warm or cold spots where insulation is missing or performance is degraded. 

  • On a cold day, a warmer spot may indicate heat loss; on a hot day, a cooler spot may reflect cool air ingress/escape. 

  • Capture and tag these spots for remediation (e.g., adding insulation or sealing gaps). 

d) Business / commercial equipment 

  • For motors, bearings or pumps: scan while operating and look for unusually high temperature rises. 

  • For server rooms or IT racks: scan for hotspots where cooling is insufficient or load is skewed. 

4. Best Practice Tips 

  • Avoid measuring while the device is charging, or immediately after charging — the internal temperature may be elevated and affect accuracy.  

  • Keep a stable position: hold the camera steady or use a tripod/hanging support if available. 

  • Avoid reflections: shiny metal surfaces can reflect thermal readings from other sources and appear misleading. 

  • Interpret relative differences: instead of looking solely at the absolute temperature, look for areas significantly warmer/cooler than surroundings. 

  • Document and label: take a photo and note the location, time/date, setting (emissivity, distance) for future reference or reporting. 

  • Clean the lens & keep clear: dust, moisture or smudges on the lens can reduce accuracy. The manual advises using damp cloth or mild soap — don’t use solvents or isopropyl on the lens window.  

5. Safety & Limitations 

  • Do not use the unit in flammable, explosive, steamy or extremely humid/corrosive environments.  

  • The thermal camera detects surface temperature of objects (via infrared). It does not measure internal temperatures inside materials or behind thick insulations with full accuracy. 

  • Ensure you understand the distance-to-target and the camera’s limitations (e.g., resolution, field of view) when interpreting results. 

Thermometer

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A simple temperature and humidity monitor can be surprisingly powerful for identifying wasted energy, poor insulation, and inefficient heating/cooling.  
 
1. Getting Started 

  • Place the unit somewhere indoors where air can circulate freely. 

  • Allow 10–15 minutes for the device to stabilise and provide accurate readings. 

2. Basic Operation & Navigation 

Most ThermoPro indoor units have a simple display showing: 

  • Temperature (°C or °F) 

  • Humidity (%) 

  • Comfort indicator (e.g., “Dry”, “Comfort”, “Wet”) 

  • Max/Min readings (highest and lowest recorded values) 

Basic buttons: 

  • Mode / °C–°F: Switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit. 

  • MAX/MIN: View the highest and lowest readings recorded since last reset. 

  • RESET: Clears the max/min memory and starts fresh readings. 

3. Using the Device in Home or Business 

a) Monitoring comfort and health 

  •  Check the humidity level: 
  • 30–50% is generally ideal for comfort.
  • Below 30% = Dry (risk of dry skin, irritated throat).
  • Above 60% = Damp (risk of mould growth). 

  • If humidity readings are consistently high, consider ventilation or a dehumidifier. 

  • If consistently low, consider a humidifier. 

b) Identifying problem rooms 

Use the thermometer to compare rooms: 

  • A room that’s colder/warmer than others may have poor insulation or draughts. 

  • A room with higher humidity may have ventilation issues or moisture sources (e.g., bathroom, kitchen). 

c) Business or workplace use 

  • Use it to monitor comfort levels for staff or customers. 

  • Track humidity in areas susceptible to mould or product damage (e.g., storage rooms, fridges). 

4. Best Practice Tips 

  • Place it where people actually spend time—not near floors, ceilings, or direct airflow. 

  • Move it around the building to compare different zones and identify issues. 

  • Use the MAX/MIN function to understand trends throughout the day. 

  • Reset the MAX/MIN readings each morning if you are monitoring daily comfort patterns. 

  • For accuracy, avoid touching the sensor area with fingers. 

5. Safety & Limitations 

  • Indoor use only unless your model specifically states otherwise. 

  • It measures air temperature and humidity only—not CO₂ or air quality. 

  • Avoid placing on hot appliances or in steamy environments for long periods. 

  • Not suitable for outdoor exposure, direct rain, or extreme temperatures. 

Stopwatch

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Measuring how fast water flows from taps, showers, or appliances helps identify water waste, inefficient fixtures, and unnecessary hot-water energy use. A stopwatch allows you to calculate flow rates easily.

1. Why Flow Rate Matters for Energy Savings 

Hot water is one of the biggest energy users in homes and businesses. 

A tap or shower with a high flow rate means: 

  • More hot water used 

  • Higher gas or electricity bills 

  • More strain on hot-water systems 

Flow rate checks help you identify where simple changes (like flow restrictors or new shower heads) could save significant energy and water. 

2. Simple Method for Measuring Flow Rate 

This method requires: 

  • A stopwatch 

  • A measuring jug (1 L or 2 L) 

  • Access to a tap or shower 

What to do 

  1. Place the jug under the tap or shower. 

  2. Start the stopwatch as soon as you turn the tap on. 

  3.  Stop the timer when the jug reaches a known measurement (e.g., 1 litre). 

  4.  Write down: 

  • Litres measured
  • Seconds taken

5. Use the simple formula below.

3. Formula: Convert Time into Flow Rate 

Flow rate (L/min) = (Litres collected ÷ Seconds) × 60 

Example 

  • You collect 1 litre in 5 seconds 

  • Flow rate = (1 ÷ 5) × 60 = 12 L/min 

This is considered high for household use and wastes energy if the water is hot. 

4. What Your Flow Rate Means 

You can compare your results to typical efficient rates: 

Fixture

Efficient Flow Rate

High Flow (Wastes Energy)

Shower

6–9 L/min

10–20+ L/min

Bathroom tap

2–6 L/min

7+ L/min

Kitchen tap

6–9 L/min

10+ L/min

Commercial handbasin

1.5–6 L/min

7+ L/min

If your measurement is high, you may be spending much more on hot water than necessary. 

5. Using Flow Rate Results for Energy-Saving Actions 

a) Reduce hot-water energy use 

If taps or showers have high flow rates: 

  • Install a water-efficient shower head 

  • Add aerators or flow restrictors to taps 

  • Adjust or repair mixer taps that open on “hot” by default 

b) Check hot-water system performance 

Low flow rates from hot taps may indicate: 

  • A partially blocked pipe 

  • A clogged aerator 

  • A failing hot-water unit 

  • Scale build-up 
    These issues can cause the unit to run harder, using more energy. 

c) Compare areas within a building 

Use the stopwatch to test different rooms: 

  • Bathrooms vs kitchens 

  • Staff amenities vs customer areas 

  • Ground floor vs upper floors 

Differences highlight plumbing inefficiencies or pressure imbalances. 

d) Identify leaks 

If you test a tap and notice inconsistent flow or slow build-up, it may indicate: 

  • Leaks in pipes 

  • Faulty tap washers 

  • Failing mixer cartridges 
    Fixing these reduces both energy and water waste. 

Next Steps 

  1. You can now use the information you have learned about your appliances to use them less and to switch them off at the wall when not in use.
  2. When you need to purchase a new appliance, remember: the more stars it has, the less energy it will use, and the more money it will save you over time. It is a good idea to plan ahead and research appliances, as often you need to replace appliances quickly.
  3. Use the Power-Mate Lite to compare the energy use (kWh) of your current appliance and the energy rating label of new products to make sure you buy something more efficient to run.
  4. The more water efficient an appliance is (e.g. for a washing machine) the less energy it will need to heat the water when you are doing a warm wash (although many new washing machines and dishwashers heat the water themselves). Remember however, that the best way to save energy when washing clothes is to wash in cold water.   

Power-Mate Energy Meter

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1. Getting Started 

  • Plug the Power-Mate PM10A into a standard mains outlet.  

  • Then plug the appliance you want to test into the rear of the Power-Mate unit.  

  • The unit is powered directly from the wall outlet (no separate batteries) and draws very little power (<1 W).  

  • Confirm your local electricity tariff (cents per kWh) from your last energy bill — you’ll enter this into the unit for cost calculations.  

2. Basic Operation & Navigation 

  • The main button labelled “MODE” changes between measurement screens: Power (Watts), Cost ($), Energy (kWh), G-Gas (kg CO₂e), Volts (V), Amps (A). 

  • Use “+” and “–” keys (if present) to adjust digits when entering settings (such as tariff rate).  

  • To clear the recorded totals (time, cost, energy) before a new measurement session, go to the “CLEAr?” mode and press “Enter”.  

  • To set up tariff and greenhouse-gas coefficient, go to the “SETUP?” screen via the MODE button, then press “Enter” to change “RATE” (tariff) and “G-GAS” (kg CO₂ per kWh) values.  

3. Using the Device in Home or Business Inspection 

Here are some typical inspection scenarios and how to use the Power-Mate effectively: 

a) Appliance running cost (home) 

  • Plug the appliance into the Power-Mate and let it run for a reasonable period (an hour or more) so you get meaningful data. 

  • On the POWER mode screen you’ll see current power draw in Watts (“W now”) and possibly maximum/minimum since start.  

  • Switch to COST mode to see estimated cost ($) for the elapsed time, and projected hourly, quarterly or yearly cost.  

  • Review the ENERGY mode to see kWh used, and the G-GAS mode to see estimated kg CO₂ emitted based on usage.  

  • Document appliances that cost significantly or draw high power — helps you decide what to upgrade or schedule differently. 

b) Standby/power-leak detection (home or business) 

  • With appliance turned off but still plugged in, let it run for some hours. The Power-Mate can detect even low standby power (e.g., phone chargers, TVs on “standby”).  

  • Because standby consumption is low, it may take a longer time for cost figures to register.  

  • If you find an appliance drawing unexpectedly high standby power, you may unplug or upgrade it. 

c) Business equipment or multiple loads (small office) 

  • Use it on office equipment (printers, servers, monitors) to identify heavy users. 

  • In “V” and “A” modes you can check if voltage or current is fluctuating beyond normal, which might indicate poor quality supply or overloaded circuits.  

  • Compare running cost between different equipment or changes in use-pattern (eg after hours/off‐peak) to inform scheduling or replacement. 

4. Best Practice Tips 

  • Ensure the device is always connected for the full measurement period — premature disconnection will skew cost/energy estimates. 

  • Give the appliance some time to stabilise, especially if it cycles (e.g., fridge, air-conditioner). The user guide notes for thermostatically controlled appliances you need a full on/off cycle to get accurate data.  

  • Don’t exceed 10 A load on the PM10A; if you need to test higher loads or motors with inrush currents, use the PM10AHD/PM15A models.  

  • Record the date/time, appliance description, settings (tariff, G-Gas), and results (cost, energy) — good practice for reporting or comparing later. If you’re using it in business audits, collect readings over a defined period (e.g., 24 hours, 7 days) and aggregate the cost/energy results for reporting. 

  • Clear the unit between different appliances/tests to avoid carry-over data that will confuse comparisons. 

  • Use the mode display wisely: switch through Power → Volts → Amps → Cost → Energy → G-Gas to fully assess an appliance from multiple angles. 

5. Safety & Limitations 

  • Indoor use only: The PM10A is intended for dry indoor environments. Don’t use in wet or explosive atmospheres.  

  • Mains sine wave only: The device expects a standard mains sine-wave supply. Don’t plug it into inverters labelled “quasi sine wave” or non-pure sine wave types.  

  • Does not measure internal temperatures (unlike a thermal imager). The Power-Mate measures electrical parameters (power, energy, cost) only. 

  • For variable-load appliances, short measurement periods may not capture true average usage — you may need to measure over days for reliable yearly estimates.  

  • Overload risk: If load exceeds rating, the device may show “WARNING, OVERLOAD” and may be damaged if you continue.  

Resources

This guide has been developed to help you understand exactly how to use all tools part of the kits. However, we recommend you do a bit of research first to understand how to use it correctly. There are some great resources available online if you want to learn more but ensure these apply to your situation and particularly your local climate.   

If you would like to learn more, here are some resources for further reading:  

  • Your Home Technical Manual is a Federal Government resourced guide to environmentally  
    sustainable homes. It provides advice relevant to Australia’s climate typologies and building  
    regulations.   
    It is primarily aimed at new homes or renovations but the majority of the information can also be applied to an existing house. It is available for free online or you can purchase a printed book.  
    https://www.yourhome.gov.au/ 

  • Renew is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that has been providing expert, independent advice on sustainable solutions since 1980. Their website, forums and magazines are a goldmine of information about all aspects of living sustainably. You can also sign up for a membership or subscribe to their magazines to help support them to help support them.  
    https://renew.org.au/ 

  • My Efficient Electric Home is a popular group on Facebook dedicated to helping people get off gas and make their homes more efficient. At the time of writing they have around 45,000 members and there is a vast archive of questions and answers in the group. If you can’t find the answer already there then you can ask and you’ll likely get a range of expert opinions.  
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyEfficientElectricHome/ 

 
If you have further questions regarding the above information, please contact environment@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

 

Next steps

  1. You can now use the information you have learned about your appliances to use them less and to switch them off at the wall when not in use.   
  2. When you need to purchase a new appliance, remember: the more stars it has, the less energy it will use, and the more money it will save you over time. It is a good idea to plan ahead and research appliances, as often you need to replace appliances quickly.
  3. Use the Power-Mate Lite to compare the energy use (kWh) of your current appliance and the energy rating label of new products to make sure you buy something more efficient to run.
  4. The more water efficient an appliance is (e.g. for a washing machine) the less energy it will need to heat the water when you are doing a warm wash (although many new washing machines and dishwashers heat the water themselves). Remember however, that the best way to save energy when washing clothes is to wash in cold water.   
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