Wednesday 6 July 2011

Home audits reveal a tonne of energy

Adelaide Advertiser
1 July 2011, Page: 26

ENERGY retailers in South Australia conducted 6500 residential energy audits last financial year, delivering more than 248,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas reduction. The number of audits was 30% above the target set under the State Government's Residential Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES). Energy Minister Michael O'Brien said the Essential Services Commission of South Australia REES 2010 report, released today, showed the scheme was highly successful.

"More than 74,000 households benefited in 2010 and, importantly, 77,000 tonnes of the reduction was delivered to low income households", Mr O'Brien said. "Under the scheme, licensed electricity and gas retailers with more than 5000 residential customers are required to achieve targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions". Mr O'Brien said retailers must also conduct a specified number of residential energy audits in low income households to identify ways those residents could reduce their electricity and gas costs.

GM Holden Hill homeowner Roger Gilbert said he was able to save money and energy after learning he could turn off the back up power to his solar water heating during summer. Mr Gilbert said his home was already energy efficient with 10 solar panels on the roof and LED light bulbs fitted instead of incandescent bulbs. "I was on the right track all the way", he said. "You have to do everything you can like closing the curtains when the sun goes down.".. An AGL Energy spokeswoman said the provider had contacted customers after audits to check on whether they had adopted any of the energy saving recommendations.

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