Regional Housing Retrofit Pilot Project
Aimed to develop a personalized-approach (1-on-1) targeting local residents, which helped them reduce their household's emissions, and which is transferable to other communities.
In total 171 homes in Kelmscott were given an energy and water audit over a 3-month period. Households were also given a free switch your thinking! (syt!) ‘retrofit pack'. ‘Retrofit packs' contained energy saving items including CFLs, a 5-min shower timer, an energy-smart thermometer, door snake, and optional worm farm, as well as special offers from syt! sponsors. Western Power and Alinta Gas (if connected) account details were also collected to enable effective monitoring of the programme over next 3 years.
Evaluation of the project was conducted in June 2004 - over 65% of households completed and returned the surveys, suggesting the project was very successful. 100% of respondents indicated they were happy with the project overall, and 95% of respondents said that they learnt something new.
Importantly, 84% or respondents indicated that they had made changes to their energy use behaviour as a result of having the audit. And 100% of respondents indicated they had implemented one or more of the energy saving devices contained within the free ‘retrofit packs' (over 75% of households had implemented all energy saving devices contained within the retrofit packs).
The project will reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions by 1,175 T -eCO2 over the next 5-years (235 T -eCO2 p.a.), whilst helping households save over $160 p.a. on their energy bills.
This project was proudly supported by program sponsors Cool or Cosy, Solahart and the Sustainable Energy Development Office.
