Resources.
Before using our science and energy efficiency services, we encourage you to take advantage of the free resources and services available below. They can help you implement simple, generic measures to reduce your energy use, and there is also a wealth of useful energy saving tips and checklists. The savings and comfort improvements are genuine, and making your home more comfortable might be easier than you thought!
If you are already familiar with the basics of home energy auditing and want to understand your home’s specific energy efficiency issues and potential using advanced diagnostic tools, please contact us.
Using our expertise and extensive experience, we can take the stress and confusion out of your retrofit project.
Free national webinars
Here are some free national webinars Jenny has done on retrofitting and renovating:
The Light House journal
Our Journal page contains lots of great information and advice. You might be particularly interested in our Keeping Warm in Winter and Saying Cool in Summer sections.
There is a great article by Jenny in Sanctuary magazine about renovating and retrofitting to create a cozy home, and you can learn about how bubble wrap can help you save money on your energy bills here.
My Efficient Electric Home
Jenny is a former co-admin of the incredible Facebook group My Efficient Electric Home where more than 34,000 people from all around Australia share their questions, ideas, issues and experiences and learn from each other.
ACT Government’s Actsmart program
The Sustainable Household Scheme will provide ACT homeowners with access to interest-free loans of $2,000 -$15,000 to install energy-efficient appliances and systems to live more comfortably and reduce emissions and energy costs. The scheme is expected to open in early 2021/22.
The Sustainable Home Advice Program is a free advice line for ACT residents who need general information on reducing the cost of their electricity bills. Energy experts can also help compare domestic appliances' running costs and provide simple tips to save energy. The program also provides free workshops and webinars and free home energy assessments to save energy and money.
Borrow a Home Energy Action Kit from your local branch of the ACT library. The kit includes an instruction guide, the equipment, and a workbook to help you conduct an audit of your current energy and water usage. Your audit will then help you decide what changes you could make to become more energy-efficient and save money.
You can also find energy-saving tips to help you save energy on hot water, cooling, kitchen and laundry, and lighting. Information is also available on rebates and subsidies currently available for eligible households wanting to replace old inefficient appliances with new efficient ones.
Make the Switch
Make the Switch is a fabulous website by the Conservation Council ACT Region to help you transition from gas to electric. We contributed content and time to the energy efficiency sections.
Your Home
Your Home is your guide to building, buying or renovating a home and what you need to know to create an environmentally sustainable home in Australia. It includes case studies from around Australia and even some FREE house designs suitable for a range of climates.
Green it Yourself
Green it Yourself provides step by step videos on how YOU can make your home more energy-efficient. Did you know that draught-proofing provides the biggest bang for your thermal buck? So roll up your sleeves, buy a caulking gun and learn how to draught-proof!
CSIROscope
CSIRO’s blog has top tips on renovating or retrofitting for energy-efficiency
ActewAGL
ActewAGL’s website has appliance upgrade offers for ActewAGL customers who upgrade their old gas or electric hot water system or old gas heater to more efficient electric appliances.
They also have tips on how to reduce your energy usage inside and outside your home and have a checklist you can download.
Energy.gov.au
Energy.gov.au is a federal government website with tips and advice on reducing energy consumption, including rebates available in various states and how to choose energy-efficient appliances.
SEE-Change
SEE-Change is a Canberra-based sustainability organisation with information and resources about sustainable housing.