Consultation on new minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties opens door to major bill savings for renters and vulnerable.
Talks underway to set minimum standards for “very energy inefficient” rental properties
Electrification
Promised $1 billion in home energy upgrades yet to reach a single household
The $1 billion allocated to Australia's green bank for household energy upgrades is yet to reach a single home, a senate budget hearing has been told.
New government grants to help business ditch gas for efficient electric alternatives
New scheme offers up to $60,000 per site – or $66,000 for regional sites – for feasibility studies into cutting gas usage by switching to efficient electric alternatives.
State energy efficiency rebates to focus on electrification and getting homes off gas
State budgets $5.9m for strategic review of long-running energy efficiency rebate, to focus it on helping households and businesses to get off gas.
Ban on solar “nuisance marketing” extends to energy upgrade cold-calls and door-knocking
Participants in the Victorian Energy Upgrades scheme are now banned from unsolicited telemarketing, and face a ban on door-knocking from August 01.
Home electrification rebate flooded with interest as gas exodus gears up
State government-backed rebate designed to install bulk residential rooftop PV and electric hot water has attracted bids for almost four times the funding on offer.
Landlords join call for rebates to help renters and apartments get solar and go electric
People who live in apartments are less likely to benefit from solar power or efficient electric appliances and they need targeted help, a conference has heard.
Energy retailer offers rebates to help customers say goodbye to fossil gas
A leading Australian energy retailer urges its tens of thousands of residential gas customers to go electric, in a deal that offers to wipe the network disconnection cost.
Booming heat pump hot water market prompts crackdown on compliance and safety
Inspections and audits of newly installed heat pump hot water systems are expected to ramp up across Victoria to ensure standards are being met.
If you’ve got a dark roof, you’re spending almost $700 extra a year to keep your house cool
Cool roofs have many benefits, including to boost aircon efficiency and make solar work more efficiently. So why is this being ignored in Australia's major cities?
Efficient electric appliances save consumers $18 billion over 10 years
Choosing the right appliance can shrink your power bill and make a dent in a business or household's carbon footprint, according to federal government data.
Smart meters haven’t delivered promised benefits to electricity users. We can do better
New research offers a solution to unleash the promised benefits of smart meters at least cost.
Universal smart meter rules put on fast-track in race to harness consumer resources
AEMC says a draft determination on rules governing 100% smart meter uptake will be published within weeks following a decision to fast-track the process.
Heat pump rebates in “huge demand” as households get rid of gas hot water
"Heat pump hot water systems have never been more popular." With applications coming in at a rate of 700 a week, 8,000 more rebates have been added to meet demand.
CEC proposes $6,500 subsidy for home batteries to soak up rooftop solar
The Clean Energy Council suggests a $6500 incentive for households to encourage home battery take up.
Power to the people? Critics say new rule that affects EVs and home batteries misses mark
AEMC draft rule change proposes to allow "flexible trading," where customers can hand pick different products and services for their CER. But does it hit the mark?
