Doors open for one day on secrets to beat the pain of looming power price rises

Inspecting an off-grid house with bushfire and snow resilience. Photo: Lachlan Kain/Australian Architecture Association

Want to learn more about cutting your energy bill, get off gas, be even a little ‘friendlier’ to everything around you?

This Sunday (May 4), 230 homeowners across the country will open their doors for Sustainable House Day; 150 of the tours can be in person and the rest will be online.

There will be homes in every state and territory except the Northern Territory.

The day has been organised by Renew, a national non-profit organisation dedicated to making homes more climate and energy resilient.

The day’s ‘open doors’ will showcase the best of new green builds and clever renovations that are possible without sacrificing comfort.

“I am always overwhelmed by the generosity of spirit that happens each Sustainable House Day as members of the community take the time to open their homes to others,” says Renew CEO Helen Oakey.

“When people see what’s possible in their own community, they’re more likely to act – that’s where real change begins.”

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

There will be good reason for change: power prices are set to rise by up to 9 per cent from July 1 thanks to a recommendation by the Australian Energy Regulator to increase the maximum price that utilities can charge in NSW, Qld and South Australia.

Visitors this year will be able to see for themselves how homeowners are using practical solutions like insulation, solar panels, hot water heat pumps, double-glazing, draught sealing, batteries and electric vehicles.

This year, electric cars will feature at some open homes thanks to a new partnership between Renew and the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA).

EV drivers will share how they run their cars off solar power and integrate their vehicles into all-electric household systems.

Tours will take in diverse homes, from a coastal property saving $5500 a year through lower CO2 emissions to a bushfire and snow resilient home in the Blue Mountains.

During May, Renew will host eight online workshops, hosted by leading energy experts and architects, so you can dig deeper into topics such as electrifying your home, the cheapest changes to make to improve energy efficiency or improving your home’s bushfire or flood resilience.

CALL FOR SUPPORT

“We’re calling on governments to support large-scale retrofitting, energy-efficient appliances and transitioning homes off gas,” Oakey says.

“Sustainable House Day is a perfect way to start your sustainability journey while we wait for all governments to get on board with the clean energy transition, we need for a safer climate.

“Every house, every conversation builds a movement of people who are making the clean energy transition happen in their own homes and communities. It’s powerful, community-driven grass roots change and it’s spreading fast,” Oakey says.

“Everyone is at a different stage of their journey with regards to sustainability – some are just starting out, (some) are ready to start switching off gas and installing efficient electric appliances and others are ready to design and build their dream green home.”

She says they are joining forces with councils and other community groups for the open home day.