Renters rein in their energy bills

Sai Ram rents a townhouse in Harrison with two housemates. The trio saw a free Renters’ Home Energy Assessment as a great opportunity to learn about how to save on energy.

“I’ve been living in share houses for three or four years,” says Sai Ram, who works for a local not-for-profit organisation.

“When I first moved into a share house, I had just graduated from uni – it was the easiest and cheapest way to live. Now, I’m working full time, and I don’t have a family, so renting in a share house still works well for me.

“My housemates are my best friends from uni. We’ve spent so much time together that they feel more like family. We hang out together after work playing video games or board games, and on weekends we often go away together on short trips. We spend a lot of time at home, so it’s important to be in a place that’s comfortable.

The challenge

“Our energy bills are moderate. Everyone is pretty careful about turning the lights off when we’re not using the room and so on. I like to use the heating and air conditioning more than the others, but it’s never been an issue when the time comes to pay the bill. We just split the energy bills equally.

“When I found out about the free Renters’ Home Energy Program, I was interested in learning not just how to use appliances efficiently, but also how to make the most of the sunlight and using cross-ventilation to heat and cool naturally.

The action

“Booking the assessment was easy. We made sure we were all home that day, so that we could be on the same page. We notified our property manager about the assessment as a courtesy.

“When Jeff, the energy assessor, came to our house, he started by explaining Canberra’s seasons and weather cycles to us. Jeff explained how we could work with the natural elements to keep our home comfortable year-round.

“He showed us how to use natural air flow to cool the house in summer using fans, which use very little electricity. He showed us how we could get airflow to the top floor without the need for air conditioning.

“Jeff then explained how to trap the heat inside during winters by using the existing thermal insulated curtains as much as possible, to reduce the need for heating.

“He also explained how to use our appliances more efficiently. For example, he told us about the optimal temperature for heating and cooling, hot water, and the fridge and freezer.

The benefit

“We’ve already changed the temperature settings on our appliances, and we will probably buy some fans, like Jeff suggested, for next summer. I think we’ll see a difference in our next energy bill.

“We’re pretty good at keeping an eye on our bills. When we signed up to our current energy plan, we made sure we were getting the best deal. Our plan is expiring soon so we’ll be shopping around again for the best deal.

“Overall, I found the assessment very helpful. It’s going to help me save money on energy bills in this house, but also in any other place I move into in the future.

“Apart from learning, I’ll also use the electric throw rug that Jeff gave us at the end of the assessment – it’s going to be a great asset for Canberra’s winters!

“My advice for other renters who are thinking about doing an assessment is to be prepared: write down your questions, take notes during the assessment, and make the most of it by asking your questions while the energy assessor is there.”