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On chilly days, 32 percent of people reported feeling the national temperature.
In the Northern Territory, despite its reputation as one of Australia’s warmer regions, renters were notably hesitant to use heating or cooling systems due to financial concerns. Source: SBS News
Ashley Bradshaw, the executive manager overseeing analysis and advocacy for ECA, argued that the data highlights the necessity for implementing mandatory energy efficiency standards in rental properties throughout Australia.
From a survey of 1,056 participants, nearly 50 percent believed landlords should shoulder the costs of home upgrades to meet these standards, ideally with governmental assistance. Meanwhile, 27 percent felt landlords should bear the full expense, 14 percent thought the government should fund these improvements, and 7 percent suggested that costs should be shared between landlords and tenants.
“Living in a home shouldn’t be a gamble on whether it will be comfortable or lead to exorbitant bills,” Bradshaw commented.
What changes are being proposed?
“On the other hand, a zero star would essentially be you are literally outside, a one star would be a tent.
Australian homes are of “very poor quality” when it comes to energy efficiency, Bradshaw said. Source: Getty / Maryna Terletska
“I think the average rating of a house in Australia is 1.8, so we’re kind of closer to a tent in terms of certain quality of homes, particularly rentals.”
“If we look forward, we’re going to seemingly have more extreme weather and see the health and societal impacts of that, so it becomes more and more important.”
How much could energy efficiency standards save you?
“Depending on the size of your home and how much heat or cool you like, we’re looking at saving a considerable amount per year — up to $2,000, our modelling showed, particularly in the homes that are the lowest performers,” she said. “So that’s no insulation and things like you’ve got gaps around windows, you’ve got old vents that are not blocked up, so your house is very leaky.”
They can also make your home quieter, reduce pressure on the energy grid, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve your physical and mental health and well-being.
