Home Energy Assessments
The enrolment phase for Central Victoria Solar City’s
household research trial has now closed.
Our Home Energy Assessors delivered 2750 Home Energy Assessments to residents across the 14 municipalities involved in the project, as well as over 950 Household Solar, Retrofit, and Solar Hot Water Packages.
Research participants are currently having their energy use monitored by the University of Ballarat. Energy use data collected is being used to see how household energy behaviour and energy infrastructure changes are impacting overall energy use.
The research will be used to help inform future government energy policy. In 2012 the project will begin reporting early results of its research into household energy use.
For those participants who signed up for an In-Home Display as part of the project, the installation process for the Displays has begun and will continue into 2012.
The Home Energy Assessment Process
A Home Energy Assessment involved a visit to participants’ home by a Home Energy Assessor who identified ways that they could reduce household energy use, based on household energy use behaviour and infrastructure. The Assessments began with a look at existing household electricity and gas bills to analyse current patterns of energy use behaviour. Assessors then went through the Home Energy Assessment booklet with participants, looking at their current energy usage with regard to home heating and cooling, shading, lighting and appliance use. The Assessor then completed a household walk through, identifying possible retrofit options that householders might like to consider. Retrofit options are changes residents can make to household infrastructure to help increase a home’s energy efficiency. The Assessor may then also have shown participants other packages (Solar Hot Water and Household Solar) which may also help further reduce household energy use and/or transition the house to more renewable energy sources. The Home Energy Assessment was a pre-requisite to signing-up for other Central Victoria Solar City packages. Powercor installed an interval meter (smart meter) as part of the Home Energy Assessment if the household did not have a new smart meter already.
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We ask all participants to have the assessment as it is important to reduce our energy use as well as looking at renewable forms of energy. In return for signing up to receive a Home Energy Assessment, filling out four research surveys and remaining with the project until 30 June 2013 you will automatically go in the draw to win a 5 night Eco-Holiday for 2 people at the Cape Tribulation Resort and Spa, Coconut Beach, Nth Qld, including return flights to Cairns, transfers and breakfasts. The competition commences on 21 November 2009 at 9am and closes on 30 June 2013 at 5pm (Australian Eastern Standard time).^
^ Prize to be drawn 24 July 2013. For full Terms and Conditions of the competition, click here
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