SwitchedOn Australia

Poor air tightness of our buildings can lead to draughty, leaky, and uncomfortable homes. It can also increase our energy bills by up to 20 per cent. Senior experimental scientist at the CSIRO, Michael Ambrose, has recently completed Australia’s most comprehensive study on the ‘leakiness’ of recently built homes. He found the air tightness of new homes has improved significantly since he first conducted a similar study in 2015, but there’s still room for improvement. For more information on energy efficiency and electrification https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au

Brendan Lang, a Melbourne electrician and founder of 'Get off Gas,' shares insights on household electrification. He discusses the shift from gas to induction stoves, emphasizing health and safety benefits. Brendan also dives into government rebates for quality appliances and the importance of efficient insulation and heat pumps. He offers tips on maximizing solar energy and finding reliable tradespeople. Additionally, he raises awareness about the crisis in trades education, advocating for more skilled teachers to train future electricians.

The founder of Genie Energy, a pioneer in renewable energy solutions, discusses the vital role of local energy hubs in regional communities. They delve into the importance of community involvement and transparency in transitioning from coal to renewables. The conversation highlights how local projects, like community batteries, can empower residents and enhance trust. Additionally, they address electric vehicle acceptance, fueled by rising fuel costs and improved charging infrastructure. Overall, it's a call for collaboration to align developers with community needs.

Vivienne Griffin, a co-convener of Zero Emissions Noosa, discusses her group's efforts to install a community battery in Queensland. She highlights how community batteries enhance the use of rooftop solar energy and stabilize the energy grid. Griffin emphasizes the importance of community involvement and consultation in these projects, while addressing financial challenges that currently make them reliant on government support. The conversation shines a light on a collaborative approach to democratizing energy access and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Household hot water systems account for a quarter of a household’s power load. Finding ways to save on the cost of producing hot water, and reduce emissions, has been the focus of much recent research. But it’s not just what we heat our water with, but when. Energy experts argue we should shift our hot water heating to the middle of the day when there is abundant solar going into the system. Not only will this reduce our emissions, it could save billions of dollars. Recent research shows there is a $6.7 billion missed opportunity if newly electrified hot water systems aren’t used as a flexible resource. Dr Gabrielle Kuiper is a specialist in distributed energy resources, and a guest contributor to IEEFA, the Institute for energy economics and financial analysis, who argues we have to get smarter about hot water. For more information about electrification and energy efficiency https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au

Discover the groundbreaking Solar Schools initiative that's transforming energy use in Australian schools. Learn how this program has successfully slashed CO2 emissions and saved millions for taxpayers. Hear about the importance of energy literacy in schools and how solar installations empower not just the institutions, but the students themselves. Explore insightful discussions on sustainability, energy efficiency, and fostering environmental responsibility to ensure a greener future for the next generation.

Deputy Chair of Zero Emissions Noosa, Mark Purcell, is on a mission to get 50,000 households to electrify and install batteries. He's electrified three homes, and now wants to spread the word to other householders about electrification and decarbonisation. He’s calculated that if he can get 50,000 households to electrify and install batteries one less gas peaker plant will be needed during critical hours of peak demand. But although he's fully committed to household electrification and decarbonisation, Mark didn’t start his own electrification journey for sustainability reasons. For more information on electrification and energy efficiency https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au

Electrifying and decarbonising our homes isn’t always straightforward – we might not know where to start, what to prioritise, who to trust, what products to install, how much it will all cost, what rebates and incentives are available, can I get finance, what’s the best energy retailer that won’t rip me off. And despite the financial incentives that are now available for households and businesses the uptake on rebates remains low. The process can be a minefield, and many people end up thinking, why bother. A new website is now trying to take some of the pain out of the process. The founder of Upgrade IQ, Leigh Simpson, discusses how the site links customers with tradies and installers who they’ve already vetted, who can provide tailored information on government incentives, and design solutions for individual households, along with financing options. For more information about electrification and energy efficiency https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au

Jeremy Sung from the Energy Efficiency Council dives into Australia's shift from inefficient halogen lights to energy-saving LEDs. He discusses the essential minimum energy performance standards for both lighting and heat pumps, addressing industry challenges and the need for consumer protection. The conversation highlights the recent ministerial agreement on updating energy standards for digital displays and fast-tracking heat pump regulations. Sung also explores the roadmap for enhancing renewable technologies, focusing on the importance of consumer trust and behavior in energy resource management.

In last year’s federal budget the Government allocated $1 billion to a Household Energy Upgrades program to help homeowners fast track their transition to cleaner, cheaper energy. Grace Tam is the Head of Consumer finance at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, the CEFC, the agency responsible for rolling out the program. She discusses the importance of green finance for householders, and how difficult it was to get Australia’s banks, mutuals, and other lenders to offer truly green finance that can turbo charge household decarbonisation and electrification. Also, why lenders should provide access to service providers and information, not just ‘green discounts’. For more information on electrification and energy efficiency https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au