Reduce energy use and save money as a renter
Canberra renter Melanie made low-cost changes to her new rental home to reduce her energy bills.
She got advice from the ACT Government’s Renters' Home Energy Program.
Similar households can save over $100 a year by taking the same actions Melanie took to save energy.
The challenge
“We moved to Canberra in 2021 and rented a townhouse,” newly minted Canberran, Melanie said.
“Everyone told us to prepare for giant energy bills, so we wanted to do what we could do to avoid that.
“By renting we knew that we couldn’t make major upgrades to the house. We wanted to do all the little things we could to help save the environment and save some money.
The action
“I booked a free home energy assessment online. The assessor, Jeff, visited our home and went through questions with me about the house and how we use energy.
“We walked around the house looking at windows and doors and all the appliances. Jeff gave heaps of suggestions and he emailed us a report that had a list of easy actions we can take.
“We installed blockout curtains – which I bought on special – on all the windows. After our energy assessment we blocked draughts by using door seals on the external doors and door snakes for the bathroom and toilet doors.
“Jeff also showed me how to make pelmets to cover and insulate the space between the top of our window frame inside and the curtains.
“In winter we also cover the evaporative cooling vents and put tape and bubble wrap on selected windows.
The benefit
“The blockout curtains, pelmets and door seals made a massive difference – it’s keeping the house comfortable for our family, no matter the season.
“The assessment helped us so much and it was tailored to things we could do as tenants.
“When we had an inspection, the agent absolutely loved what I'd done and was very impressed with the simple actions we had taken,” Melanie said.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.