So you’re looking to upgrade your home and make it sparkle anew. While opting for solar panels is a great sustainable solution that mitigates climate change and increases home value, it’s not the only initiative you can take to improve your living conditions, far from it, actually.
In fact, there are a multitude of ways you can uplift your home. You don’t have to worry about creating wasteful byproducts with these initiatives either, as many of these projects involve embracing the same values as opting for renewable energy.
Furthermore, these initiatives don’t cost a whole lot either. Both the state and federal governments host initiatives and programs that help homeowners improve their homes with little spending on the homeowner’s part.
If you want to bring some much-needed sparkle to your home, then you’re in the right place. Here are some impactful initiatives that can make your home a greener and cleaner environment.
Let’s jump right into it!
1. Upgrade Your Home’s Cooling System
If your A/C unit is showing signs of wear and tear, whether it’s its irredeemable smells, low cooling capacity, high electricity costs, or jarring sounds, then it may be the right time to replace your clunky old machine with a new one.
And even if the A/C unit is working fine, if it uses outdated refrigerants like R11, R12, and R115 to generate cooling, then it’s your responsibility to upgrade it with a more sustainable alternative to curb your contribution to the emission of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
When shopping for an A/C unit, look into its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. The higher the SEER rating, the better and more efficient the A/C unit is at cooling a home. You should also pick an A/C unit with a refrigerant that has a low global warming impact, like R32.
Generally, standard-grade split-type A/C units cost anywhere between $300 to $2,500. The good news is that you don’t have to stomach the price of a brand-new A/C unit from your appliance store.
There are many government-run air conditioning rebates in Australia that you can consider to reduce the cost of acquiring a new A/C unit. These rebates allow you to trade in your old A/C unit and replace it with a new one. That said, you must meet eligibility requirements before getting access to this rebate system.
Regardless, if your A/C unit is old and frequently malfunctions, upgrading it can greatly improve your quality of life at home. You’ll enjoy lower energy costs, a cooler room, and a quieter environment, which are excellent perks that align with the sustainable lifestyle of choosing solar panels over electricity.
2. Install Electric Car Charging Ports
Another way you can give your home an environmentally-friendly uplift is by installing EV charging ports in your home garage. Of course, this means that you should also have an EV or hybrid vehicle in the first place.
Electric vehicles are a practical and ecological means of transport that doesn’t rely on diesel and petrol to operate. Its non-renewable properties make it a great investment for the household as it provides the homeowner and their family with a means of transport without a heavy reliance on fuel.
The good news is that there are government programs in Australia that incentivize car owners who plan on purchasing and acquiring an electric vehicle. In particular, these grants give residents a financial rebate of up to $1,000 (or even more for eligible participants) to install an EV port at home.
Considering the fact that EV charging set installation can cost about $2,000 to $3,000 on average, this financial relief can be a big help for homeowners who wish to benefit from having an accessible EV charging port at their own home.
3. Save Electricity With Lighting Upgrade Schemes
Light bulbs are one of the most overlooked but also most potent electricity consumers in the household. Every room has it, and if one is left running overnight, it can trickle down and cost the household a big chunk over the long term.
In territories in Australia, the state government offers incentives for homeowners looking to fulfill various electrical upgrades. One major one is replacing old and inefficient lighting with more energy-efficient ones like LED lights. In New South Wales, this bulb replacement program falls under called the Energy Savings Scheme.
LED lights use up a fraction of the energy consumption of incandescent bulbs. Replacing your light bulbs with these environmentally friendly alternatives can be a great way to reduce your long-term electricity bill. And it doesn’t have to cost a lot either if you get accepted for these grants.
Moreover, upgraded lighting also allows homeowners to modernize their home through implementing smart technology features like a remote-controlled on and off button. By taking advantage of these features, homeowners can become more sustainable without facing inconveniences to their usual lifestyle.
4. Grab Energy Efficient Hot Water System Subsidies
Hot water accounts for a big portion of the electricity bill in a standard household. The high cost of hot water is even more evident when the household is using an old and traditional electric storage water heater, which can cost a lot of energy and money to keep running continuously.
If your household is suffering from high water bills, there’s a solution in some parts of Australia that can drastically reduce energy costs. In territories like Victoria, for instance, the state government provides households with up to $1000 in financial assistance to purchase an eligible heat pump system for their home.
In some cases, the government may even provide a solar-powered hot water system to eligible households. This not only reduces a household’s utility costs, but it also stands by the homeowner’s commitment to thriving off of green and clean energy without compromising on comfort.
5. Upgrade Your Home Insulation
Did you know that the Australian government had a $1 billion fund intended to provide discounted insulation products to homes? Well, now you do, and that bill is called the Household Energy Upgrades Fund, or HEUF for short.
Under this fund, eligible homeowners can access low-interest loans or direct subsidies to install energy-efficient upgrades, such as ceiling insulation, floor insulation, and double-glazed windows.
For instance, homeowners who can prove they have single-glazed windows can apply for the fund and get discounts to upgrade their homes to have double-glazed windows.
Considering the swings of weather and climate that many parts of Australia often go through every year, these improved insulation are crucial in ensuring that everyone in the household is comfortable throughout the year.
Furthermore, these upgrades also help lessen the workload of A/C units and heaters, reducing the energy costs and improving appliance longevity in turn. For Australians who want to commit to a low-carbon footprint lifestyle, pushing through with these house upgrades is a practical and value-aligned move that comes with many everyday benefits.
6. Invest in Smart Home Tools
Another way to upgrade your home is by investing in smart home technology.
These systems aren’t only modern upgrades that give your home futuristic charm; they are extremely useful and practical tools that can make home management a simpler, more energy-efficient, and more convenient task.
One particularly useful smart home upgrade is adding smart thermostats to your home. With this smart tool, you can configure the temperature settings using a mobile app or a remote control to your desired preference. You can also automate it to cool down or heat an area at your desired times.
Another good smart home upgrade is motion-sensor lighting. Just like with the thermostat, smart home lighting menus can be customized to suit your daily routine. You don’t have to worry about lights being left on accidentally or standing up to turn on the light switch on the other side of the room, as these smart home tools make it easy via a smartphone app.
There are a plethora of other smart tool upgrades you can consider, from laundry machines to blinds. Take advantage of these appliances to reduce your power bill, improve your quality of life, and let Mother Earth breathe a little bit easier.
All the best in upgrading your home!
