Energy Makeovers

From the Minister for Energy and Resources

Thursday, 19 March 2009

Improving the energy efficiency of homes is now more affordable for Victorians thanks to the Brumby Government’s new Energy Saver Incentive, Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor said today.

Mr Batchelor today launched the Energy Saver Incentive Buyers Guide to help Victorian households identify how they could receive discounts on products to become more energy efficient.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to help Victorians tackle climate change and the Energy Saver Incentive will make it easier for people to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr Batchelor said.

“Under the scheme discounts and special offers on energy-saving products and services are available from participating businesses.

“Many of the actions are simple to undertake and can radically reduce home energy use, drastically cut a household’s carbon pollution and cut household energy bills.”

Mr Batchelor said the guide outlined key areas householders could take action to make their homes more energy efficient.

The areas are:

• Buying new fridges and freezers;

• Upgrading to high efficiency heating;

• Upgrading to gas or solar hot water systems,

• Insulating home, and draught proofing;

• Installation of water saving shower heads; and

• Installation of energy efficient light globes.

Mr Batchelor said there had already been strong interest in the scheme from businesses interested in offering discounts to households.

“Businesses participating can range from tradespeople, to energy retail companies, to appliance stores, as well as new energy efficiency companies – a sustainability service sector emerging as a result of initiatives such as the Energy Saver Incentive,” he said.

“Accredited businesses can create certificates for every tonne of greenhouse gas they help households save by installing energy efficient products and appliances.

“These certificates can then be sold to energy retailers to meet their mandatory energy efficiency target under the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target legislation.”

Mr Batchelor launched the new Energy Saver Incentive Buyers Guide at a Newport property, one of the first to take advantage of the discounts available under the scheme.

“The home has recently been assessed by local company Energy Makeovers, which specialises in energy-efficient home assessments and installations and was one of the first to be accredited for the scheme,” Mr Batchelor said.

“Easy improvements identified in this home – such as weather sealing doors and windows and closing off vents and weather sealing chimneys – can save an average home almost six tonnes or 120,000 black balloons of greenhouse gas emissions.

“If you are prepared to invest a little more, replacing energy-guzzling inefficient appliances – such as old electric heaters and hot-water systems – you can cut an average household’s greenhouse emissions by up to a massive 200 tonnes or four million black balloons. “

Mr Batchelor said the Energy Saver Incentive would complement other energy efficient programs such as the Federal Government’s recently-announced ceiling insulation rebates.

To view the Energy Saver Incentive Buyers Guide visit www.saveenergy.vic.gov.au