New energy standards have swept across Australia in 2024. However, the repercussions of outdated designs and aging infrastructure have led to soaring gas and electricity bills nationwide. While there have been 3.84 million solar PV installations as of June 2024 and 7-star energy ratings mandated for new residential builds, millions of Australians are still sweltering or freezing due to the country’s weather, and they’re paying for it.
Simple changes and cost-effective repairs can provide immediate relief while saving thousands each year.
The Climateworks Centre and CSIRO have estimated that upgrades such as improved insulation, fixing gaps and cracks in walls and floors, and using electrified hot water and cooking appliances can save over $2,000 annually. With additional incentives and support from state and federal governments, Australia is slowly moving towards net-zero emissions by 2050.
However, one of the greatest challenges is the quality of homes in Australia. A vast majority were built before 2003, when energy standards were first introduced. Poor insulation, inefficient heaters, and draught issues are common features, with Melbourne and Sydney’s Victorian and Edwardian homes performing particularly poorly.
One of the easiest ways to assess the efficiency of your home is through accredited energy assessors, part of a government-backed push for efficiency throughout homes. Developed in Victoria, the Efficiency Scorecard Scheme is being rolled out nationally and costs between $250 and $500, depending on the size of your home. The scheme is designed to create a baseline for understanding where costs are going and what can be done in response. With rising costs in gas and electricity and a push towards net-zero, the scheme offers both short-term and long-term benefits.
While large-scale changes are needed at the government and corporate levels to achieve net-zero by 2050, retrofitting homes on an individual level can go a long way.
- Cost-Free Improvements and Energy Upgrade Incentives: Victoria and NSW offer discounts on products ranging from clothes dryers to shower heads. Good habits like closing doors, upgrading to LED lightbulbs, and keeping lights off can also be beneficial. Link
- Draught Proofing: Cracks in homes account for between 15% to 25% of heat loss during Melbourne’s winter, with a similar effect in summer.
- Insulation: Poorly insulated ceilings can account for 25% to 30% of a home’s heat loss, with a similar gain in summer. Ceiling insulation can be an easy upgrade, while insulating house walls may need to be done during renovations.
- Windows: Double glazing is effective but often challenging in older homes. Cheaper alternatives include heavy drapes can provide an alternative solution
- Heating: In Victoria, heating is the number one energy cost. In high-occupancy areas, reverse-cycle air conditioners are recommended over ducted heating, which uses a lot of energy to move hot air around a house. Optimizing a home’s positioning can be a cost-free strategy. Taking advantage of the northern sun can provide significant benefits. Where possible, pruning vegetation to increase exposure can also be helpful.
- Hot Water: Heat pumps can replace expensive gas heating, with incentives and rebates readily available. Link
- Solar Power: Once a home’s heating source has switched to electricity and away from gas, installing solar panels and a battery should follow.
For more examples and stories of clean energy, new technology and infrastructure sweeping Australia, see below:
- This man’s $168k annual saving gives hope for net zero Household rooftop solar has taken off, but small and medium firms have barely started.
- Your electric car choices are about to explode The first Zeekr will be sold from October, and will be followed by as many as 10 other Chinese brands.
- Out of thin air: Solving the dilemma of long-duration storage Two first-of-a-kind technologies are firming up as options to crack the tough nut of energy storage.
- Homeowners rush to buy batteries to avoid ‘sun tax’ Electricity companies are charging homeowners for excess solar. Some owners are taking their power back.
- How this battery system can help the energy transition The electricity grid is short on storage. This first of a kind battery service could be the solution.
- How to win over communities to renewables The UK is considering cheaper power prices to encourage communities to back renewables. Could it work here?
- Soil carbon capture surges as AI drives down costs AI can reduce barriers to implementing soil carbon projects as ag tech creates new opportunities.
- How this office building is saving money – and carbon Companies are rethinking the design of buildings.
- How much water does nuclear really need? The Coalition’s plan has raised concerns about the amount of water that reactors will use in a hotter and drier Australia.
- Warning on the growing solar panel scrap heap The industry is nearing a tipping point as the nation grapples with unprecedented levels of waste.
