Please note: As of 1st February 2023, FREE Lighting upgrades are no longer available for Victorian homes. This is in accordance with the Victorian Energy Upgrades program (VEU).
The cost of living has started to skyrocket, especially for Victorians, where we already have some of the world’s highest energy costs.
Residents are interested in reducing bills where they can and cutting energy costs at home is a great place to start. So, if you’re here to see how you can quickly reduce your energy costs and save energy at home – for FREE – then you’ve come to the right place.
We’re going to lay out 5 easy ways for you to save energy at home.
These 5 changes are completely free and you can make a positive change from today just by making the decision to take advantage of these energy-saving tips.
So, let’s dive right in – what are the 5 tips to save energy at home for free?
Save energy at home with these 5 FREE tips
1. Free Low Flow – High-Pressure Showerhead
You may, or may not be aware that in Victoria you can claim a free low-flow showerhead. While the concept of upgrading your showerhead to one that’s low-flow, might seem counterintuitive, as a lot of us enjoy a high-pressure shower, did you know:
If you upgrade 2 showerheads in your home to low-flow you’d save $5 a month.
The cost doesn’t come from saving water. The energy saving comes from heating less water used for your shower.
A low-flow/high-pressure showerhead uses a new air rating technology that uses 7.5 litres per minute instead of 10-12 litres, like a regular showerhead. This means there’s less water to heat. The good news is, that you don’t lose water pressure either. These advanced low-flow showerheads maintain full pressure.
On average we shower for 10 minutes, so a typical home with 4 people would save:
- 4.5 litres a minute
- 180 litres a day
- x 30 days a month = 5,400 litres
- x365 days a year = 64,800 litres
That’s over 64,000 litres of water that you don’t have to pay for and don’t have to heat. The average hot water service tank is 300 litres, so this equates to 216 full re-heats of the hot water unit that aren’t needed. It’s better for the planet and better for your energy bills.
2. Install Free Exhaust Seals
If you have an exhaust fan in your bathroom or bathrooms, your home is eligible for FREE exhaust fan seals for any of the eligible locations.
An exhaust fan automatically opens when an exhaust fan is in use and when it’s not in use the seal remains closed. An exhaust fan seal helps to improve the air quality of your home by:
- maintaining a more pleasant temperature
- Reducing air conditioning/heating costs
“Good airtightness (that is, reducing or eliminating air leaks) can improve thermal comfort and energy efficiency – air leaks can cause 15−25% of winter heat loss in buildings (CSIRO 2015). Sealing your home is one of the simplest ways to increase your comfort while reducing your energy costs.” source
Free exhaust fans are available for a limited time within Victoria and they’re installed free which means you don’t have to do anything. Once you’ve made the decision to upgrade, they arrive and are installed completely free.
3. Install Free Door seals
In Victoria, residents are eligible to claim free weather seals for their doors. Any doors that lead to the outside are included in this offer (as long as they’re a standard size and don’t slide).
Even better, through the offer this item is installed for free, so you don’t have to do any of the work; the door seals are supplied and installed 100% free.
If you install a door seal it prevents drafts and improves your household insulation. It helps keep your home warm in winter and cooler in summer.
4. Upgrade to Free LED Downlights
Please note: As of 1st February 2023, FREE Lighting upgrades are no longer available for Victorian homes. This is in accordance with the Victorian Energy Upgrades program (VEU).
Free LED upgrades are still running until early 2023 when the incentive will be closed, so if you haven’t taken advantage of a free LED upgrade, then now is the time.
LEDs maintain the same level of brightness and colour as your existing halogen downlights but they use up to 85% less energy.
You can upgrade to LED downlights for FREE in Victoria and if you upgrade 20 globes it could save you up to $1,684.80 a year*
*$1,684.80 saving based on upgrading 20 halogen lights that run at an approximate cost of $93.60 per year (50w x 6 (hrs/day) x 52 (wks/yr) / 1000 (kwh) x $0.3 (tariff) x 20 (volume) = $93.60 p.a) to 20 LED downlights that run at an approximate cost of $9.36.
Incandescent and candle-style globes are also eligible. Both renters and homeowners are eligible for this upgrade
5. Install a FREE Home Energy Display
You’re also eligible for this little gadget. This is called a Smart In-Home Display, or Home energy display monitor. This monitor has a value of $129 but the Victorian Government’s VEU program includes this device free for Victorians like you.
The device is connected to your smart energy meter and tracks your energy use in real time.
It means you can keep an eye on:
- When you’re using energy most heavily
- Which appliances are the most energy-hungry
- Get alerted when energy is wasted
- Set an energy budget
- reduce your carbon footprint and energy costs
Become more energy-savvy with this free little gadget
5 Quick Ways To Save Energy At Home – For Free
So, there you have it – 5 quick, easy and FREE ways to save energy at home
- Install a free low-flow showerhead
- Install free door seals
- Install free exhaust fan seals
- Upgrade your lights to free LEDs
- Install a free in-home energy display
All of these offers are available through the VEU program in Victoria and we can supply and install them in your home. Renters are homeowners are eligible and you could save hundreds of dollars a year by combining all these upgrades.
If you want to save energy at home, give us a call 1300 788 776 and see if you’re eligible for these upgrades. Or contact us to find out more.
